‘Ascend to Remember’: Maine high schooler coordinates 9/11 flag-raising on 14 peaks

NEWPORT, Maine (WABI) - A Maine JROTC cadet is taking on a statewide memorial hiking initiative for her senior project to honor the victims of Sept. 11.

The annual “Ascend to Remember” event challenges hikers to summit all 14 of Maine’s 4,000-foot mountains this Saturday and raise the American flag at each peak.

Nokomis High School senior Eliannah Batchelder coordinated this year’s effort, marking the school’s sixth consecutive year organizing the memorial climb. For Batchelder, leading the project is deeply personal.

“I think it means a lot because, like, 9/11 really shook our country,” Batchelder said. “And it is so, so important to honor those who fell and remember it.”

Organizers remind all participating hikers to adhere to “Leave No Trace” principles by taking down and packing out all flags and poles after reaching their summits.

Community members seeking more details or looking to register can search for the “Remember Patriot Day 14/4000′” group on Facebook.