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On September 11 of 2001 the unexpected happened, and left in its wake the unforgivable. It was, of course, the attack on the World Trade Center in NYC and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Now, seven years later, the country is responding with a memorial to the fourth terrorist plane which was brought down by scared but brave US citizens who refused to let it hit Washington DC. So acting together, they rushed the terrorists and brought the plane crashing down in Shanksville, PA.
This act of heroism was not borne of a singular mind frame. Rather it was the collective dismay and rage of a people innocent of any crime except being in the proverbial wrong place at the wrong time. They had heard about the other three planes' destruction on their cell phones and they assumed from their direction that the next target was the presidential home. Rather than add further to national shame, the White House and/or other DC monuments must be preserved. By sacrificing their own lives, these patriots ended the terrorists' spree of destruction. After the dust of September 11th settled and the country began to account for the dead and missing, discussions of compensation and thanks began. Ceremonies in NYC and the greater NY area where people had commuted to work in the Towers were held; likewise in Washington DC where both military and civilian personnel lost their lives, tribute to their passing was made. Finally, the last location of terror-Shanksville PA-was recognized. But this recognition was different from the rest. Previously the life-giving patriotism of Flight 93 passengers had been honored with a plaque near the crash site which listed the names of passengers and crew on board. Visitors had left numerous memorabilia on large plywood planks and on a piece of chain link fencing. Badges, medals, and cards marked their tribute. Yet even with all this, the memorial lacked something that would tie together the attack sites. This omission was rectified with a memorial created out of the ashes of the Towers. What was created was a CROSS inscribed with 9 11 01 ! Its only other adornment was a modest plaque with the words:
This cross had been fashioned from steel from the World Trace Center. It weighs 2 tons and is 14 feet high. Transportation of this revered object was by truck. But that truck was flanked by an honor brigade of about 1,000 motorcycles ridden by members of fire, police, and emergency personnel. The mission began in Brooklyn, NY, and then passed through New Jersey, then on into Pennsylvania along Route 78. Wherever the cortege passed, fire and police were on the overpasses. Spectators watched respectfully and waived flags as the loud roar of the cycles marked their passing. This was not a celebratory parade with brass bands and Boy Scouts. This was like a funeral march minus the hearses bearing the deceased. Careful plans had been made to keep the cycles fueled and the riders hydrated with designated stops along the 311 mile route. In all states backup fire and emergency crews were on duty to cover for those posted to pay their respects and supervise the biker caravan as it passed through all the towns on the way to the final destination, Shanksville. Upon arrival the huge cross was hoisted into a special base made in the shape of the Pentagon. A dedication ceremony was held the following day, Sunday August 24th, at the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Company in Shanksville, PA.
Throughout our nation's history, memorials have been created for wars. These have typically been statues and plaques formed or engraved to honor the dead. But this memorial was a cross, a Christian symbol transcending the various denominations and offering to all comfort and hope. Jesus died on a cross to save mankind; firefighters died in an inferno trying to save those caught in the Towers; all knew what the results could be. But they completed their tasks and it cost them their lives. Perhaps reminding all who view the cross of these things is what the creators had in mind.
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