We Will Never Forget
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| This granite tile is at the entrance to the Overland Park, Kansas 9/11 Memorial. |
It says:
Enter the 9/11 Memorial by walking across the granite flooring from the World Trade Center.
On September 11, 2001, 2977 people lost their lives in the horrendous terrorist attacks on our nation, including 441 first responders. Many cities around the country have built 9/11 Memorials, both large and small. I recently discovered one near me located in Overland Park, Kansas ~ a southern suburb in Kansas City. It tells the story of that fateful day, and specifically honors the 343 firefighters who died that day trying to save others. It is located next to the Overland Park Fire Department Training Center. These Kansas City firefighters are the caretakers of this memorial.
Visiting there, even 22 years afterwards, brought fresh tears to my eyes as I read the educational panels telling the story of each downed flight on that tragic day.
Overland Park’s 9/11 Memorial honors those who lost their lives on September 11, remembers their sacrifices, and teaches future generations about a day we will never forget.
At the Overland Park 9/11 Memorial you will experience:
*A 14-foot, 2.5 ton steel beam from ground zero.
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| Steel Beam from Ground Zero |
This was acquired in 2009 by application from Overland Park firefighter Trevor Miller and Capt. Paul Bishoff.
See and touch a real part of the World Trade Center, and memorialize those who are no longer with us.
*Four educational panels tell the stories of each downed flight.
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| Educational Panels Depicting the 9/11 Attacks |
- American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 846 A.M.
- United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 A.M.
- American Airlines Flight 77 left Dulles International Airport in D.C., bound for Los Angeles, and struck the Pentagon in Washington D.C. At 9:37 A.M.
- United Flight 93 from Newark, New Jersey, which was later assumed to have been headed either to the Pentagon or the White House, was brought down in an empty field in Shanksfield, Pennslyvania by the brave passengers who refused to let the highjackers bring about any more destruction in the United States.
At 9:45 A.M., barely one hour after the first attack, US Airspace is shut down under Operation Yellow Ribbon. This operation ordered all civilian aircraft to land at the nearest airport. This Operation prevented any further attacks by aircraft from occurring.
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| Medallions mark the time each flight crashed |
On September 11 each year, the shadow of the 14 foot artifact crosses these panels and sunlight passing through a hole in the girder which follows that diagonal line, passing over the four medallions at the time they went down.
For a complete timeline, as depicted on the stories of each of these flights, click here.
*A victim’s panel which alphabetically lists all the names of those who died on 9/11. The side of the panel states:
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| Victim's Panel |
No Day Shall Erase You From the Memory of Time ~Virgil
*A weeping wall fountain that represents those who survived.
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| Weeping Wall |
*Granite tiles pulled from the World Trade Center after the attacks.
"Honoring Footsteps Gone Silent"
Summary
I encourage you to seek out such 9/11 Memorials in your area and help keep the remembrance alive by helping those too young to remember to learn about the terrorist attacks that claimed thousands of lives on September 11, 2001. Because, we SHOULD Never Forget!
Remember – Honor – Educate
YouTube Video of the 9/11 Memorial @ Overland Park 9/11 Memorial.
Location:
Overland Park 9/11 Memorial is located next to the Overland Park Fire Department Training Center
Address
12401 Hemlock
Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone
913-888-6066
Hours
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission
Free
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+All images are personal photos taken by Wednesday Elf
*Travel Review of the Overland Park, Kansas 9/11 Memorial was written by Wednesday Elf.
I lived the first half of my life in New York City, and although I had moved to Boston by the time the 9/11 attacks occurred, they hit very close to home. When I lived and worked in Manhattan I had clients with offices in The World Trade Center and had many meetings there, so there, but for the grace of God, might I have been when the Twin Towers came down. I agree that it is well worth seeking out 9/11 memorials and keeping those tragic events fresh in our memories.
ReplyDeleteThe 9/11 Memorial in Overland Park, Kansas would be a very difficult memorial to visit. I'm not sure I could step on the granite tile at the entrance. I think everyone alive in 2001 that was old enough to understand what was happening, knows exactly what they were doing and where they were when the news started airing. The nation certainly mourned together, and we still do. Hard to believe it has been over 20 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget that day - As you know I live in Canada - I think everyone knows what they were doing when that happened. One of my boys was in grade two, and his teacher lost family (the husband of a family member) in the world trade center. The contrast between the stunningly beautiful september day (clear blue sky) and the absolute tragedy that happened always stays with me. I was out with my then one year old on his morning walk, and thinking how lucky we all were to live in this part of the world - then when I got home, my hubby ran to the door, shouting what happened. My heart goes out to all who were impacted by this nightmare and you're right; it's important to always remember, and to visit memorials whenever you're able to.
ReplyDelete9/11 is always in my heart! It happens to be my hubby's birthday too! So while I was busy getting things done for his birthday, the tragedy was unfolding before my very eyes. Needless to say, the birthday was very secondary to us gathering our family and praying for all those whose lives were forever changed that day. I'm glad to see that other areas of the States have memorials for these fallen victims of hatred! Thank you for sharing this with me. Every 9/11 we set aside time to thank God for all our blessings and we remember those who are gone from thsi world!
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone, for sharing your stories and feelings about remembering the attacks on 9/11. We were having a family reunion with our three children, their spouses and two small grandsons that week and were all saddened and horrified. My one thought throughout that sad day was being grateful that I knew where every one of my immediate family was at that moment, and that they were all safe.
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