LAKEWOOD RANCH – There’s no deny it Americans are divided whether it’s because of politics, the COVID-19 pandemic, or the civil unrest seen across the nation.
So insert 15-year-old Lorenzo Liberti. The Lakewood Ranch teen has made a quick name out of himself for project looking to unite us once more.
“It initially just started with just a single sheet of plywood and then trial and error, I finally got to something I like to call the Heroic Flag,” said Liberti.
The meaning behind is to honor the men and women or the armed forces with a special focus to veterans living on the streets. But given the current circumstances the project has taken a new life.
“My mother is actually a healthcare worker, and of course they were always working hard they were always our heroes,” said Liberti. “But now they’re really in the spotlight with something nobody could’ve prepared for but the fact is we’re still adapting, we’re still fighting through…and it’s time to reclaim our country.”
Liberti started a GoFundMe account to raise $50,000 in order to place a Heroic Flag in hospitals across the country. So far Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the Elmhurst Hospital in New York City have received theirs, and locally he’s donated one to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
“I’m really just honored to – well just honor our heroes,” said Liberti.
And the rest of the proceeds he makes he donates it back to a local charity that helps restore dignity and respect to homeless veterans. He’s donated some of the proceeds he’s made from sales to Turning Points in Bradenton.
“In this day and age where there’s so many things that divide us this flag unifies us this flag brings us together,” said Edwin Robinson, Yellow Ribbon Program Manager at Turning Points.
Liberti is accepting orders from the public but warn there’s a wait list. You won’t receive yours until 2021.
