HOW THE 911 MEMORIAL CAME TO BE

BY J. HOWARD PRAGER

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          In September 2009, there was an article written by Lee Ielpi notifying organizations
that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was open to requests from organizations that would like a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center.

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         Lee is a retired firefighter from FDNY who lost his son Jonathan, a firefighter with Squad 288 in Queens, who was on duty when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

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         For a number of years, I had been interested in building a memorial to honor the lives of the victims and hero’s and to educate future generations about the events of September 11, 2001.

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        So after a great deal of paperwork, I was notified that I could pick up my piece of steel that was stored in Hanger 17 at JFK Airport.

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         After receiving the I-Beam, I then began to plan a fitting memorial. After speaking with Keith Simonetty of Area Land Construction, he got in contact with Bill Schwiebert of FPS LLC, who along with his personnel did all of the site work and installation of the memorial along with Keith. Keith also contacted Paul Pilon, R.A., a member of the Architecture Facility at Dutchess Community College and partner of S&P Architects with his wife Sabrina.  Paul designed the memorial and did all the architectural drawings needed.

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          After meeting with the Town of Wappinger Town Board, they generously waived all fees for the installation. Then with the help of Zoning Administrator Barbara Roberti and Planning and Zoning Board Secretary Susan Dao, I went to the Town of Wappinger Planning Board where they approved our site plan.

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         Without the generosity of the following people and businesses this memorial could not be built:

          Chris Simonetty of Kirin Farm, Keith Simonetty of Area Land Construction , Bill Schwiebert of FPS LLC,  Paul Pilon R.A. of S&P Architects, Valenti Concrete, Dewey Caswell, Brandon Ciccone of Ben Ciccone Inc., Williams Lumber, H.G. Page, NAMCO Pool and Patio Equipment, Harrison Paint Supply, Red Barn Farm & Nursery, Keith Yereance of the Cutting Edge Painting Co., Corewood Ventures Inc., RGH Construction Inc., Longobardi's Restaurant & Pizzeria, Tool Rental by Durants, and New Hackensack Reformed Church.

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            The dedication of the memorial was held September 11, 2011

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911 Remembrance Flag Symbolism

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           The stars symbolize the airplanes that were needlessly sacrificed. The stars outside the pentagon represents the plane diverted by the brave passengers on Flight 93.

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          The pentagon and towers represent three of the most recognized structures ever built on U.S. soil.  The Twin Towers may be out of sight, but never out of our minds.

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          The circle encompassing the pentagon represents the unity that occurred after the tragedy.

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           The red background symbolizes the bloodshed and lives lost of our fellow Americans... Past , Present, and Future.

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WHAT A PIECE OF STEEL MEANS TO ME
 BY J. HOWARD PRAGER

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          On September 11th, 2001 everything changed for the world. On that day, terrorists murdered 2,977 innocent persons at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the plane that was brought down at Shanksville PA. This number includes 246 victims ( passengers and crew ) on the four planes, 2606 at the World Trade Center, of which 343 were FDNY firefighters and paramedics, 23 NYPD officers, 37 Port Authority Police Officers, and 125 civilians and military personnel at the Pentagon.

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           On September 2009 an announcement was made by the Port Authority of New York  & New Jersey to organizations that would like to receive a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center site in order to create a memorial honoring the lives lost on 9-11.  So after piles of paperwork, I was able to pick up a 15 foot I-Beam with the help of Chris Simonetty, a life member in our Fire Company.

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            To me I will never forget that day or the victims and hero’s lost. One of those victims was a friend of mine. His name is Paul Tegtmeier. A number of years before Paul joined the FDNY, I had the opportunity to work with Paul at IBM. All I can remember about him is that he always had a smile on his face and would do anything for you.

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             After he left IBM he went to work for Verizon while he waited to be appointed to the FDNY. After he was appointed he was always kidded about being the oldest Rookie on the job, but again, he was embraced into the Brotherhood of FDNY and would do anything he could to help anyone.

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              So when I see that piece of steel, I don't think about where it came from or how it got here, but I think of it as a remembrance of Paul and to all of the victims that were lost that day from the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the passengers on those four planes.  

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             Please stop by and visit this Memorial at anytime - located on the New Hackensack Fire District’s property, 217 Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls NY 12590. There is plenty of parking, and benches to sit and reflect on this tragedy. 

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Building of the Memorial

Photos
( starting with the piece of steel )

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