Posted on: Tuesday, November 13, 2001
City erects memorial to Sept. 11 victims
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer
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| The City and County of Honolulu dedicated a memorial to Sept. 11 victims and rescue workers last night at Honolulu Hale.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser |
The city administration yesterday dedicated a monument that will serve as a memorial to those killed in the Sept. 11 East Coast terror attacks, and will honor the rescue workers who served during the attacks.
Managing Director Ben Lee designed the three-sided tower monument, which has been built in a planter in front of Honolulu Hale. It is about six feet tall and 28 inches wide, made of a black granite-looking synthetic material often used in kitchen counters. The city also planted red, white and purple petunias in nearby flower beds.
Lee said the monument was created by city workers at a cost of about $7,000 for material and labor.
Laura Brough, the daughter of Georgine Corrigan, lighted the flame during the dedication ceremony. Corrigan, of Hawai‘i Kai, was among those killed in the crash of United Airlines flight 93 in Pennsylvania. Two three-inch-wide vertical gray strips are set into the front to symbolize the twin towers of the World Trade Center. A stainless steel triangle holds an "eternal flame" at the monument's top. The triangle is meant to evoke the shape of a folded American flag.
Mayor Jeremy Harris said he thought it was appropriate for the city to build the monument, since so many of those lost have been municipal workers — firefighters, police, emergency medical services personnel.
A plaque nearby reads: "Let this eternal flame unite our country in memory of those who lost their lives on Sept. 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."
