Brick Businesses to Offer Free Flags

Local businesses will offer residents free flags to fly on Sept. 11 to honor those who died in the attacks that day in 2001.

Township officials announced the businesses that would be offering the flags this week. The effort to provide free flags was organized by the township's recreation department and Chamber of Commerce, but the idea was spurred by township resident Laraine Sgroi, whose ex-husband, Thomas, died in the attack on the World Trade Center.

"Nobody's putting flags out anymore," Sgroi , as she recalled the months after the terrorist attacks when people across the country flew the stars and stripes from their homes, vehicles and boats. "I started e-mailing some local flag companies, and was turned down. They said their money was allocated for the year, and they couldn't donate."

But a similar e-mail to Brick Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis was met with a more positive response, and the township helped get her idea off the ground.

For those who don't have a flag to fly, the following businesses in town will offer 8-inch by 12-inch flags while supplies last:

• - Herbertsville Road
• - Brick Boulevard
• Wireless Zone - Brick Boulevard
• Country Store Jewelers - Brick Plaza
• Law Firm of Carolyne Kalson - Route 88 West
• Cheeburger Cheeburger - Shop Rite/Kohls Plaza
• J&K Pet Depot - Cedar Bridge Ave
• - Chambers Bridge Road (Civic Plaza)
• Twin County Soccer (pick up at Recreation Dept - Civic Plaza)
• Mulberry Street Italian Food Market - Brick Boulevard
• Jersey Shore Animal Center - Brick Boulevard