05/25/2026
Today, we honor the American soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice to our country.
We have the privilege of honoring the fallen by sharing our local story at the Avenue of 444 Flags and War on Terror Memorial.
In 1979, a mob stormed the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran, and began the Iranian Hostage Crisis. 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days. Tom Flynn, the owner of Hillcrest Memorial Park, aimed to drawn attention to the crisis, and on day 100 of the crisis, he hoisted 100 flags into the air. A flag was raised every day until the crisis concluded on day 444, January 20th, 1981.
In 2005, the War on Terror Memorial site was added. It features 12-foot-tall steel and glass monuments that have the names of every serviceman and woman who has died since 1975 in active service against the War on Terror.
In 2012, the Cremation Ostuaries were established within the flags around the War on Terror Memorial. Here, veterans may be interred with fellow servicemen and women. Each branch of the military has its own site with a flag flown for its respective branch.
To learn more about the Avenue’s history, tap here to read on our travel blog: https://www.visitmercercountypa.com/avenue-of-444-flags-and-the-war-on-terror-veterans-memorial-honor-veterans-in-mercer-county-pa/
The Avenue of 444 Flags and War on Terror Veterans Memorial is located at:
2619 East State St. Hermitage, PA 16148
The park is open 7 days a week, from dusk until dawn.
