Featured

'In honor of every hero': Volunteers place flags for 9/11 victims at local cemetery

Volunteers help plant flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, during an event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. More photos are available atrrobserver.com

Eagle Scout Theodore Shaffers holds several flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho during a volunteer event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Eagle Scout Theodore Shaffers plants flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho during a volunteer event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

A group of volunteers plant flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho during a volunteer event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Elliott Guinn, acting battalion chief for Rio Rancho Fire & Rescue, prepares to plant flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho during a volunteer event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Jason DeBerg, logistics captain with Rio Rancho Fire & Rescue, holds flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, during a volunteer event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Amber Hossman, leader of the American Heritage Girls, assists with a flag-planting event at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Kwynn Tode, a trail Life USA member, helps plant flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, during a volunteer event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Julian Trujillo, left, a firefighter with Corrales Fire Department, and Laura Roberson, a volunteer with the Community Emergency Response team, prepare to plant flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, during an event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Mia Lopez, an American Heritage Girls member, helps plant flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, during an event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

American Heritage Girls members Mia Lopez, left, and Leslie Tode, right, help plant flags at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, during an event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

A memorial resembling the Pentagon and former Twin Towers of the World Trade Center is seen at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho during an event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Rows of flags seen at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho during a volunteer event meant to honor almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Laura Roberson, a volunteer with the Community Emergency Response Team, reflects during a moment of silence at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, during a flag-planting event to honor the almost 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Kevin Opsahl

Kevin Opsahl Kevin Opsahl Kevin Opsahl Education Journalist

Published September 9, 2025 - 9:24 a.m. Modified September 25, 2025 - 12:19 p.m.

rio_rancho multimedia

Powered by Labrador CMS