It’s been 22 years since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. The Red Cross organization in Tallahassee Monday unveiled a new memorial to honor those who lost their lives in the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
The memorial is more than 10 years in the making and sits in front of the American Red Cross’ building on Easterwood Drive, in Tom Brown Park. The structure is In the form of a sundial that casts a shadow over time stamps that represent when certain events, like the falling of the towers, occurred. Sharon Carraway is the director of the Tallahassee Red Cross. She knows many people today weren’t alive during 9/11, and likens the day and its commemorations, to the fading memories of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which kicked off World War II.
“I think it's important for young people to ask questions and to really listen to the answers, and to make it personal," she said.
The memorial is cast from a steel beam from the fallen South Tower of the World Trade Center. Retired Tallahassee firefighter, Michael Terhune spearheaded the effort to bring the beam to Tallahassee. He applied for, and received the beam, but it was tied up in bureaucratic delays for years.
Now, looking at the site, Carraway marvels at the meaning of the tribute to the movement when 2,977 people died. More than 2,000 first responders who worked on the site have since died from cancers that may have been caused by exposure to toxic dust and chemicals.
“It's beautiful it's inspiring, it's all things that a memorial is supposed to be," said Carraway. “It honors those who lost their lives, but it also honors those who went in and saved lives. It's a great addition to our city and Red Cross is very proud to have it as part of us.”
The national Red Cross deployed more than 57,000 volunteers after 9/11 and raised over $1 billion to donate to the families involved.
