From Harford County Public Schools:
A steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center, sent by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and approved by the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, has been delivered to Bel Air High School. The steel beam will become the centerpiece of a display honoring the upcoming 10th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001 and will be placed on display in the main foyer of Bel Air High School.
In 2003, Bel Air High School participated in the 2003 WTC Site Memorial Competition sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation as one of 5,201 entries. While Bel Air High School’s plan was not ultimately selected, its work can be viewed at http://www.wtcsitememorial.org/ent/entI=656643.html
Dr. Robert Handy, Social Studies Department Chairman, stated in his application “Educators are aware that within the next few years many students will not have firsthand memories of this event. It is important, therefore, to provide students with a Memorial in our community that will provide them with firsthand knowledge of this event for generations to come.”
The goal of this Memorial is to incorporate a part of the 2003 proposal into a Memorial in the main entrance of Bel Air High School. The artifact will be placed at the center of a glass showcase near the main auditorium, publically accessible to students, teachers, staff, and the general public of the Bel Air community for the month of September 2011. Around the steel beam will be placed photos from the Pentagon, WTC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The display will include the words North Tower, SouthTower, Flight 93, and The Pentagon. While the artifact will be the focus of the Memorial, the words from our proposal will rest next to it:
To those whose lives were taken by enemies of freedom, tolerance, and hope. Let those who visit this Memorial never forget the losses of freedom loving ordinary citizens and rescue personnel who died on September 11, 2001, in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Students, faculty, and staff will also be asked to add historical items as well as personal reflections on the meaning of this day. After the month of September, the steel artifact will be placed in an accessible location for permanent viewing by the Bel Air community.
Cindy Mumby says
Great photos – I can’t believe it’s been nearly ten years since 9/11. We lost a dear friend that day and knew many others who died.
Thanks to Dr. Handy for helping to preserve this part of our history.
frankly speaking says
Great idea and congrats to the teachers, students and administration re, this project to honor the victims of 9/11. too bad that just thanks will do, because the tea party is just hell bent on just thanking you, never mind paying teachers a wage that rewards great work.