WTC Memorial

This is a steel girder from the World Trade Center which was unveiled over the weekend. (I showed it covered here.) It's now on permanent display outside the new Sarasota Police Headquarters, positioned to give the illusion that it's falling. Many other communities across the country acquired similar artifacts from the WTC to create local memorials. Located outside the front door of the Sarasota police building, it's a fitting tribute to the first responders who died on September 11th. This is my fourth consecutive post about September 11th, and I anticipate it will be my last...for approximately one year.

Remembering 9-11

I was out of town over the weekend and ended up attending a September 11th memorial in Bonita Springs, about 1.5 hours south of Sarasota. It was a really nice event with hundreds from the community converging in a park to remember. (I knew I was in the right place when I spotted dozens and dozens of oversized American flags lining the park.) During the ceremony, there was a 'presenting of cover' three separate times; that is, a lone helmet was presented and placed on a table, with each one symbolizing firefighters, law enforcement and emergency services personnel who lost their lives on September 11th. It was quite poignant. This photo shows the firefighter helmet being presented.  To see more of my pics from the event click here.

Always Remember 9-11-01

Sarasota always will be closely connected to September 11th, since President Bush was visiting an elementary school here when he was informed about the terrorist attacks. I wrote a long entry for this post several days ago and inadvertently deleted it. I really don't have the energy to re-compose my thoughts and feelings about that horrible day, and where I was and what I was doing. So, instead, I will post a question: How are you remembering September 11, 2001? I'm heading to a memorial event this morning, American flags and tissue in hand. God bless America.

About this photo: I actually snapped this picture last January when the American flag was at half-staff in Sarasota to honor a fire chief from a neighboring city who passed away. When I saw the jet soaring through the crisp blue sky, which was so reminiscent of the sky on September 11th, I knew exactly what my post would be for the 10 year anniversary.

Preparing to Commemorate

Without any context, this is a bit of an odd photo....so, I'll explain. The red, white and blue tarp is covering something which will be unveiled in Sarasota on September 11th. What's underneath is no secret, so I'll share: it's a steel beam from the World Trade Center. It weighs approximately 2,500 pounds and stands nearly 25 feet. Unfortunately, that's all the New York Port Authority, which gave it to the city, knows about it.  Positioned outside the Sarasota Police Headquarters, it will be a great tribute to the first responders who died on September 11th. Interesting tidbit:  Someone involved with the project told me he called a local fumigation company to borrow an oversized tarp for a couple of weeks to cover the piece prior to Sept. 11th. When the owner of Key Fumigation heard what it was for, he insisted on manufacturing a huge custom made red, white and blue tarp --- at no cost.  Apparently, some of his materials were stored in Miami (a 3.5-hour drive from Sarasota), so he drove down there, fetched what he needed and returned and made the tarp overnight.  Wow.  The tarp will be pulled just before the first jet would have hit the World Trade Center. It should be quite an event. (And, yes, the owner of Key Fumigation will be recognized for his contribution.)