MEDINA SUNRISE PLANS 9/11 MEMORIAL CEREMONY
What is Medina’s 9/11 Memorial Park?
The story begins back in 2009-2010, when a Medina Rotary Club member, Bill Cohen, approached Club President Dr. Kelly Low about a special project. Outgoing Medina Mayor Jane Leaver asked Bill about the possibility of an “entrance to the city” welcome sign. Shortly afterward, Bill saw an ad in the New York Times stating that non-profit organizations could apply to the Port Authority of NY and NJ for a remnant of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers. The Medina Rotary Club applied and was awarded a large section of steel 9’3”x31”x24”, weighing approximately 1 ½ ton. It is an I-beam from the North Tower, the first building struck. Thanks to the generosity of Medina’s Krakowski Trucking, it was delivered to the Coleman Family of Standard Welding and Steel Products in Medina for storage and safekeeping in late summer 2011.
Local architect and friend of Bill Cohen’s, Bob Arnold, felt that the beam could not just be laid on the ground, but that “we need to do something amazing with it”.
Two questions needed answers. First, what was Medina’s direct connection to 9/11? After being hijacked, United Flight 93 flew over Medina County on its new route that was assumed would take it on to the U.S. Capitol. While we were all safe going about our daily business, a fight for life was taking place above our heads. Anywhere that day could have ended up as Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Very good reason to pause and reflect. The second question, where could a large display be placed in the city? While many locations were considered, including some of those “entrance to the city” sites, the search took several years. Finally, it was determined that an area adjacent to Medina Fire Station #1 would be an ideal location acknowledging all first responders and the nearby Medina County Veterans Services offices. Many people joined first responder organizations and the military because of what happened that day. This memorial permanently recognizes the sacrifices of all involved.
Dr. Low and Mayor Hanwell saw the project through to completion and the memorial was dedicated July 28, 2018. The Medina Sunrise Rotary Club is honored to continue the solemn remembrance of this day in our history.
The Medina 9/11 Memorial Park is adjacent to Medina Fire Station #1, 300 W. Reagan Parkway at the corner of N. Huntington St. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 AM. Limited parking will be available at the fire station and ample parking is available at Regal Cinemas across the street.
