WEBVTT

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It's toured the country and the world to honor the dedication and sacrifice of Americans who

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have lost their lives in the line of duty.

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Now, the U.S. Honor Flag will pay tribute to astronauts as well when it flies aboard space shuttle Atlantis

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during the Space Shuttle Program's final mission.

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During a May 26 ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, the flag began its journey to space.

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With the visitor complex's Astronaut Memorial Mirror as a backdrop,

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a 100-member honor guard and bagpipe procession accompanied the flag's arrival.

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James K. Loftus, director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, presented flag to Bob Cabana,

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director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

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Cabana handed over the flag to veteran astronaut Jerry Ross in preparation for its flight aboard Atlantis.

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The handoff was followed by a moment of silence at the memorial,

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which bears the names of astronauts who have died in the exploration of space.

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(Cabana:) "The flag honors all the first responders, military and now astronauts who've paid the

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ultimate price in the service of our country.

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And I think it's a real privilege for us to be able to take it aboard Atlantis and bring it home safe. It says a lot."

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Begun as a tribute following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists' attacks,

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the flag flew over Ground Zero at the World Trade Center site for two weeks.

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Since then it's served as a traveling memorial to police officers,

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firefighters and military service members 
who have lost their lives while serving their 
communities and country.

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Now after visiting more than 1,000 locations 
on Earth, the flag's next trip will be out of this world.

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