Elmhurst officials and first responders dedicated the city’s First Responders Memorial on Wednesday in a new plaza at the city’s Fire Station 2, on a bright September morning much like the one 23 years ago when terrorists attacked the United States.
The memorial, created by Elmhurst sculptor Jason Peot, consists of two structures of stacked open white cubes representing the two towers of the World Trade Center destroyed in the 2001 attacks, tied together by a vertical section of train rail salvaged from the underground terminal below the New York City site.
That 13-foot long section of rail has been with the Elmhurst Fire Department for years, according to Elmhurst Fire Department Deputy Chief Steve Reynolds. It was given to the city of Elmhurst by the New York Port Authority.
Assistant city manager Kent Johnson called the memorial one of the most important projects the city has undertaken and cited “the hard work and passion” which went into the project on behalf of the artist, city staff, donors and sponsors, including contractors, many of whom donated time and materials to the project.
Peot spoke of the honor of working on the project, which is titled “Vestige.”
“The steel rail at the core of the sculpture is a vestige of the World Trade Center,” Peot said, “but this is not a somber monument. This historic day has come to symbolize the strength and resilience of our nation. … The white color (of the sculpture) represents the brightness and optimism of our future.”
Speaking during the groundbreaking in April, Reynolds said it would be a place for visitors to reflect not only on the sacrifice of those first responders who lost their lives in the terrorist attack, but also “ to reflect on how the country came together then.”
Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin evoked the memories of those whose lives were lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
“The memories remain vivid in our hearts and in our minds. We stand here not only to mourn but to celebrate the resilience and strength which emerged from the tragedy,” he said. “On a clear beautiful September morning much like today, our world was forever changed. … Nearly 3,000 lives were taken from us. But in the face of such darkness, we witnessed extraordinary acts of heroism and compassion. First responders rushed into danger, risked their lives.”
The Elmhurst memorial sculpture and surrounding plaza honor those extraordinary first responders who set such an example of selfless devotion to duty and to others.
The ceremony closed with young musicians in a brass ensemble from York High School playing “America the Beautiful.”
Many were mindful of Levin’s words: “Let us carry the lessons of 9/11 with us,” he said. “Let us strive for a world where peace and understanding prevail. Let us live our lives… with a commitment to make the world a better place.”
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.