BUFFALO, N.Y.- On Main Street there is a manufacturing facility that has ushered hundreds of thousands of flags through their infancy, sending them across the state to schools, cemeteries and government buildings.
"If it's on a government building, it's probably our flag," said Dan Genco, Director of Manufacturing at the Olmsted Center for Sight. The employees there do not embroider the entire flag, but they do provide the final touch-ups before shipping them out.
The week following the September 11th terror attacks the facility supplied about 25,000 flags for a non-denominational memorial service held at Yankee Stadium.
For those who watched or attended the memorial service, those flags were a powerful visual reminder of patriotism and unity; but ironically, crafted by those without the sense of sight.
" There's written rules, how many stitches per inch and all that, and 100 percent inspection and we've never had a part rejected," said Genco.
Eight-five percent of the department is blind or legally blind-- and they make more than flags. This week they're working on flight deck jerseys and hospital linens.
They do it by splitting up each project into simple tasks. One person sews a seam, another sews a collar. As many as 11 people can have a hand in one shirt..
"We've got people who can just run their hand down that seam real quick and tell if its an open seam much quicker than you could ever do with your eyes," said Genco.
People like Sharell Bailey -- who's been here for 8 years.
"By feeling the sleeves, I can feel when the shirt sleeve is too short, I because just, by feeling and touching it becomes familiar," said Bailey.
Michael Alwine was a supermarket manager before he lost his vision two years ago.
"I honestly didn't think I'd be able to leave the house, to be honest with you," said Alwine.
And now- he knows just how wrong he was.
"Gratifying, extremely gratifying. I have a whole, excuse the pun, but I have a whole new outlook on life," said Alwine.