This CNN Hero helped restore a 9/11 artifact. He says its message is more relevant than ever, tell me about this news in (https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/11/us/video/national-9-11-flag-jeff-parness-cnnheroes)

This CNN feature highlights Jeff Parness, a previously recognized CNN Hero and the founder of the New York Says Thank You Foundation.The story focuses on the restoration of the “National 9/11 Flag”a 30-foot American flag recovered in tatters from Ground Zero after the collapse of the World Trade Center. Parness and his foundation took the damaged flag on a multi-year journey across all 50 states, inviting tens of thousands of Americans to help stitch it back together. Contributors included survivors of major national tragedies (such as Hurricane Katrina, the Oklahoma City bombing, and natural disasters across the heartland), military veterans, first responders, and ordinary citizens, who used pieces from retired flags from across the nation to rebuild its stripes.The restored flag eventually became part of the permanent collection at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.In this story, Parness reflects on the artifact’s journey and emphasizes that its core messagenational unity, resilience, community service, and helping neighbors through tragedyis more critical and relevant than ever today, serving as a reminder that empathy and collective healing can overcome division.