FREEPORT — The Freeport Flag Ladies, who have arranged every Freeport 9/11 remembrance since the first one in 2002, are going back to their roots for the 15th anniversary of the infamous terrorist attacks on America.

Instead of inviting dignitaries to speak in a ceremony at the fire station, Freeport’s most famous patriots are inviting everyone to join them in flag-waving on Main Street, just like they do every Tuesday morning.

But for the 9/11 remembrance, they want people to line both sides of the street. And because Sept. 11 falls on a Sunday this year, the Flag Ladies will be on Main Street at 1 p.m., in deference to people attending church services.

Carmen Footer, Elaine Greene and JoAnn Miller talked about the idea behind this less-formal event recently from the home they share on School Street, a short walk from where they wave their American flags weekly. They want to invite everyone to join them in hopes of touching the American spirit, Greene said.

“This way,” she said, “everybody who comes is a part of the ceremony instead of just an observer.”

Footer agreed.

“They can either stand with us or drive through and toot their horns,” she said.

The 9/11 event will last an hour or so, with no ceremony at the end. There will be no solicitations.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for everybody in town,” Footer said.

Greene said people can come with flags and wear patriotic clothing — or not.

“It doesn’t matter to us,” she said. “We’d just love to see it happen like they did the first year, standing strong as Americans. That first year, as far as you could see on both sides of the street, there were lines of people. Now, some people think the aftereffects are over, but they’re not. That day changed our way of life drastically. That free spirit of life went away. Sick people learned from that day that they can do horrific acts. They were crazy lunatics with no value for human life.”

The Freeport Flag Ladies lived together many years prior to Sept. 11, 2001. Each with a medical background, Miller, 78, Footer, 74, and Greene, 70, figured it was a good way to share the bills.

After 9/11, the women took action that earned them their moniker. They travel the state to take part in patriotic observances. This year, they led the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance when President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made appearances in the state.

Joyce Veilleux, adjutant and past commander of the local American Legion Post 83, said she speaks for many in appreciation of what the Flag Ladies do.

“It’s not that they’ve been in charge of (9/11 ceremonies), it’s just that they’re always the ones who have stepped up to the plate,” Veilleux said. “Their dedication to this country and the people of this country is unwavering.”

Veilleux said she likes the idea of going back to the original Freeport 9/11 remembrance on the 15th anniversary of the tragedy.

“I like the informality of it,” she said. “I can be there on my own, yet I can be part of a group. It’s a time of reflection. The American Legion likes being a part of this.”

There will be a moment of silence during the event, she said.

While people remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, they don’t always take the time to pause, she said.

“I don’t think that people have forgotten,” she said.