‘We Love You, America’

Rio Rancho, New Mexico

The events of Sept. 11 have spawned a ripple effect of unity and patriotism in every state of the union. Here, citizens have expressed themselves in a huge way: They painted an image of the American flag — nearly 300-by-600 feet in size — on a field at the city’s sports complex.

The parks and recreation department spearheaded the five-day project, which was completed — appropriately — on Veterans Day weekend. The gigantic image consumed more than 1,350 gallons of red, white and blue paint. Each stripe is 23 feet wide, and the stars measure 15 feet in diameter. Maintenance workers instrumental in completing the painting are members of Local 3277 (Council 18).

At the ceremony marking completion of the flag, thousands of lighted luminarias (candles in folded paper bags) lined its edges. In addition, flames from burners of hot-air balloons resting on the ground created a "balloon glow."

"We were able to take our hearts and put them all into the same heart that makes America," says Cindy Benz, president of Local 3277. "We want to be one of the forerunners in showing America how much faith we have in them and how much respect we have in our country.

"We love you, America."