A Memorial Dedication for Sept. 11

After the events of Sept. 11, 2001 my husband and I were forever changed. In the years that followed, my husband, Mike, a Mendon Fire Department lieutenant, at times began to feel frustrated that not enough was being done to honor all who made the ultimate sacrifice that fateful day.

It was through this frustration and with a heavy heart that he began his mission to make a formal memorial site that would pay respect to those who passed.

I was witness to years of internet searches, phone calls and certified letters. His dedication never wavered, and as time passed, he became more and more driven to find the perfect centerpiece for what would become his contribution to all those affected by Sept. 11. 

In the early summer of 2009 he got the news he had longed to hear, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was going to grant him permission to go to JFK International Airport and tour Hangar 17. With a New York judge's order in hand he was able to tour the hangar and pick out a piece of steel that he would be able to bring back to Mendon at a later date. The only catch was that should there ever arise a lawsuit or any need, New York could request the steel be returned.

Hangar 17 is where the remaining effects of Sept. 11 are housed. The twisted steel, fire trucks, subway cars and countless other items are housed here in climate controlled conditions, hidden away from the public eye in a very ordinary airport hangar.

I was lucky enough and forever grateful to be able to go with my husband on a subsequent trip to Hangar 17 when he was able to pick up the steel to bring it home. I am not sure there are adequate words to describe how I felt that day. I was well aware that I would have many emotions, however, I was not fully prepared for the sheer magnitude of these emotions. 

As the doors opened my eyes gazed at mountains of twisted steel, the famous tridents (which are now part of the New York memorial), vehicles, alongside everyday items such as a bike rack and some slippers. As I stood amongst the pile in complete awe, I had a rage in my heart that I had never had before. I was angry. What monster did this to us, who could do such evil? At the same time, I was devastated and deeply saddened for the loss of life and all the pain that this all stood for. I am positive that I will never be able to find words for the mixture of emotion that I felt that day. I am confident that that day will be in my memory and heart until I reach the end of my life.

With the judge's order in hand, my husband was able to load the steel  for the long trip back to Mendon. With the steel securely fastened to a trailer and draped in an American flag we began our journey home: what an incredible honor.

Through some very generous members of the community the memorial will be complete and ready to display to the public for the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.

The memorial consists of a large piece of twisted steel 10 to 15 feet long. There are mirrors along the back and side of the steel so that all sides can be viewed.

On the wall next to the steel there is a piece of glass that lists each firefighter's name and engine company, the identities of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice that fateful day. There is a TV mounted above the steel, which will show more than 16,000 pictures from that day, as well as re-playing CNN and other news footage from that day and the days that followed.

All of this will be a permanent display at the fire station.

The Mendon Fire Department would like to invite the public to join us as we formerly dedicate this memorial to all those that made the ultimate sacrifice on this day, 10 years ago. There will be an open house at the fire station from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11.

For the day we will have a flag placed on the lawn for each of the 348 firefighters who lost their life that day. Their name and age will be on a piece of paper attached to each flag.

Weather permitting, the trucks will be pulled out for display and we will have a small dedication ceremony. Refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend. The station is located at 8 Morrison Dr., Mendon.

Rebecca Zarella is a columnist for Milford Patch and works at Milford Regional Medical Center.