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.
