- October 5, 2026
The Hammock Dunes Owners Association hosted a Patriot Day ceremony on Friday, Sept. 11, and residents placed 2,977 American flags along Camino Del Mar, representing each life lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The Social Activity Committee planned the event as a way to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the attacks and the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. The committee is made up of volunteers in the community.
“This is a very important event that needs to be remembered, and we wanted to make an impact,” said Lisa Fisher, social activity committee lead. “As a social committee, we try to bring the community together, and this is a very important community event, and we had a lot of people show up, and we're very pleased with the turnout.”
The event included Hammock resident Rosemary Del Rosario, who performed a rendition of the national anthem. Guest speaker Julie Duffy shared her experience with those in attendance.
“I lost a lot of co-workers, a lot of friends,” Duffy said. “I went to five funerals in the next week. So, it really hit close to home to me and I will never forget.”
It was the first time that Hammock community members placed flags to remember 9/11.
“These are little flags, but they have a big impact when you see those flags out there,” said Mike Hayek, social activity committee lead.
Along with Fisher and Hayek, Beth Mohan also helps lead the Social Activity Committee.
“[There] is a lot of emotion,” Mohan said. “You know that day was so touching for all of us. [Today] we had a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., when the first tower was hit, then, 9:03 a.m., when the second tower was hit. Let's go remember and never forget.”
The committee leaders said that they would like for the event to become a tradition in the community.
“The community was here and they all took flags and they all went and planted them,” Mohan said. “Patriots Day has just become a day that we have to honor.”
