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Honolulu 9/11 Memorial Dedication Ceremony
On the evening of Veterans Day, November 12, 2001, the city of Honolulu
dedicated a memorial to the rescue workers
and those who died during the September 11, 2001
attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.
The Honolulu 9/11 Eternal Flame Memorial ws designed
by architect and Honolulu City Manager Benjamin Lee.
A memorial commemorating the tragedy of September 11, 2001,
was dedicated on the evening of November 12 2001. The hour-long ceremony
began at 5:30 p.m. on the Honolulu Civic Center Grounds in front of the
Honolulu Hale. An "eternal flame" burns at the monument’s top.
"The events of that day touched us all. The attacks took
the lives of people from our community, as well as other
cities and towns across America," said Mayor Jeremy Harris.
"The people of Hawaii still share the pain of all who
cherish freedom around the world. Like others across
our nation, they have donated their time, money and
blood in support of relief efforts. This monument
pays tribute to those who died, those friends and family
who will always bear that loss, and those who shouldered
the rescue and recovery efforts."
A prelude by the Royal Hawaiian Band began the ceremony,
and the Reverend Dan Chun of First Presbyterian Church
welcomed people. The welcome was followed by presentation
of the colors by the Honolulu Fire Department and playing
of the National and State anthems. Speakers included the
Deputy Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Command,
Air Force Lieutenant General Thomas R. Case, and Mr.
William Paty, one of Hawaii’s most distinguished veterans.
The ceremony also included laying of a wreath by Mayor
Harris and senior Police, Fire and Emergency Medical
representatives. The "eternal flame" was lit by Laura
Brough (rhymes with rough), her husband and two sons.
Ms. Brough is the daughter of Georgine Corrigan, who was
killed in the crash in Pennsylvania. The ceremony
concluded with taps by a Navy bugler, benediction by
Pastor Chun and the singing of Hawaii Aloha and America
the Beautiful.
The three-sided obelisk is about 6 feet tall and 28 inches
wide. Two three-inch-wide vertical gray strips are set
into the front of the black tower. They represent the
twin towers of the World Trade Center that were destroyed
on that date. Stainless steel triangles at the top form
the backdrop for the gas-fed "eternal flame." City
Managing Director, Benjamin B, designed the monument.
A licensed architect, Lee has been honored as a Fellow
by the American Institute of Architects. He selected
the obelisk’s triangular cross section to represent a
folded flag.
City craftsmen constructed the project in City shops.
It is made of a black granite-like synthetic material
and is set in a grassy area in front of a bed of
copper-colored chrysanthemums.
As you face the monument, a separate black horizontal
plaque sits to its right front, with a laser-etched
inscription commemorating both the victims and rescuers.
The inscription reads,
"Let this eternal flame unite our country in memory of
those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and
honor the brave men and women who put themselves in
harm’s way to save others. The love and spirit of our
grateful nation and the hearts and prayers of our
people will always be with them."
Nearby, another large flowerbed showcases blocks of
red, white and purple petunias. Lee complimented
those in the Department of Facilities Maintenance
who built the memorial and the
See also:
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Photo of the Honolulu 9/11 Memorial
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Military Memorials on Oahu
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September Events on Oahu
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