Overland Park 9/11 Memorial - To Honor, Educate and Experience

photo by Aaron Dougherty Photography

The horrific events of that fateful late summer day are replayed each year. Video and commentary fill the airways rekindling the memories we all have of September 11, 2001. Every year, events take place throughout the country commemorating the tragic events of the day and honoring those victims whose lives were lost. One of the more stirring events of the day takes place at the Overland Park Fire Training Facility, which is home to a 9/11 Memorial designed pro bono by an SFS led team of designers, engineers and contractors and in collaboration with the City of Overland Park and the Overland Park Fire Department.  At the Memorial - and only on September 11- at 7:46 a.m. out of the shadow of a 14 foot remnant of the World Trade Center structure, a beam of light strikes a medallion on a large bronze panel. An honor guard salutes and rings a solitary bell. At that moment in 2001 American Airlines flight 11 struck the WTC North Tower. At 8:03 a.m. a beam of light strikes another medallion on a large bronze panel; this time for United Airlines flight 175, which struck the WTC South Tower at that time.  At 8:37 a.m. another beam of light shines through, this time for American Airlines flight 77, marking the time that plane struck the Pentagon.  And finally at 9:03 a.m. light shines through the final medallion, this time for United Airlines flight 93, marking the time at which it came to its final resting spot in a field near Shanksville, PA. 

photo by Aaron Dougherty Photography

This Memorial was conceived and erected to honor, educate and experience the events of that day. The bronze panels depict each flight in great detail, giving a minute by minute account of each plane on the morning of September 11, while the more global events are outlined on a diagonal timeline which contain the medallions marking the time of each plane’s impact. This year a new phase of the Memorial has been completed. The names of all who perished in conjunction with the events of September 11 have been etched onto bronze panels.  Nearly 3,000 names attest to the enormity of the tragic events, with each name bringing a very real and personal touch to the memorial.  Recognizable names such as a Todd Beamer, Betty Ong and Orio Palmer grace the panels, along with the names of countless others who are of equal importance, yet unknown save to their family and friends.

This Memorial has heightened meaning for the first responders who attend the facility to train for typical emergencies as well as unimaginable events.  The 9/11 Memorial is a sentinel gracing their front door – a stark reminder of the commitment they have made and the ultimate sacrifice which they may be called upon to make one day in the line of duty. When many were running from the horrific scenes, first responders were engaging and battling the horrors of the day. In total, 415 first responders gave their lives that day, while countless others since then have also given their lives in attempts to protect us. We are blessed to have such men and women working so hard to keep us safe.

Although the events of the day were dire, some good has come from it. People, companies and organizations have stepped forward to donate time and materials to see this 9/11 Memorial come to life. When a need has been identified there has been someone who has stepped forward and said “we will do that”.  The Memorial has received no public funding and has been designed and built through the efforts of many committed to honor, educate and remember September 11, 2001.

Check out news coverage by Fox4 KC of today's stirring ceremony and to learn more about the memorial's design:  http://bit.ly/15k3S2F