Press Release

Thomas Franklin

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools is welcoming back Thomas Franklin to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on Friday, Sept. 3.

Franklin will share his journey as an award-winning photographer, multimedia journalist, documentary filmmaker, and college professor.

He is best known for his iconic flag-raising image taken at Ground Zero of the World Trade Center immediately after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. This widely recognized photograph was featured on the United States Postal Service’s heroes’ fundraising stamp. Proceeds from these stamps have generated over $10 million for those affected by 9/11.

A Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2002, Franklin’s image was cited by Life as one of the “100 Photographs That Changed the World.” The photo has become part of a permanent collection of the Library of Congress, the Newseum, and the National Sept. 11 Museum.

Above is the photo Thomas Franklin captured in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York City.

At 10:15 a.m. Sept. 3, Franklin will begin his visit with a presentation to WCS’s fifth-grade students in the Warsaw Performing Arts Center. During this presentation, Franklin will provide a historical recount of the events of 9/11 and his experience as a multimedia journalist at the scene of the World Trade Center. He will also describe the incredible impact his photos had not only on his life but also on enriching the lives of others.

Franklin’s presentation will bring a focus to WCS’s strategic planning pillars of adaptability and experience as he shares how he applied skills in order to pursue his dreams in an ever-changing world by overcoming challenges, problem-solving, and pursuing goals. A question and answer session, led by WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, will conclude this presentation.

Following the convocation, Franklin will meet with high school photography and journalism students to share tips and advice for students interested in multimedia communications. These students will have the unique opportunity to engage with Franklin in a classroom setting to learn more about his techniques and the artistic process behind “making a photo.” A question and answer session will follow this presentation.

The event was made possible through the support of 1st Source Bank and the Esther Pfleiderer Charitable Trust.