Never Forget 9/11 Memorial Inc. in Action
Where we are and where we want to be:
Currently, Bedford Township, Michigan, does not have a memorial to recognize September 11, 2001. While the library does own materials on the events of that day and its aftermath, they are spread throughout their collection. The proposed Never Forget 9/11 Memorial will include both an outdoor memorial site and an indoor educational component. The outdoor site will be located on Bedford Township property near the southwest corner of the Township’s branch library. The indoor component will be located within the library in a designated area.
The outdoor memorial will commemorate the lives lost by terrorist attacks on US soil and will be free and open to the public seven days a week. It will include the names of all 2,977 people who were killed on September 11, 2001 in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA from the hijacking of four planes; American Airlines Flight 175 and Flight 11 crashed into World Trade Center North and South Towers in New York City, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, and American Airlines Flight 93 which was forced down by the brave passengers in a field in Shanksville, PA.
The indoor component of the project will feature a learning center established at the Bedford Branch Library. This will include an interactive kiosk with age-appropriate materials available through the 9/11 National Memorial and Museum, as well as other resources. Audio recordings, news broadcasts, articles, and video coverage will all be included. Books for all ages on the topics surrounding September 11, 2001, will be available for checkout. Near the anniversary of the terrorist attacks each year, a larger display will be set up to make materials as accessible as possible to the largest number of people.
The most significant advantage of having this memorial on the grounds of the Bedford Branch library is that the library is directly adjacent to both the junior high and High School and is less than a mile from one of the elementary schools for Bedford Public Schools. This allows for easy access to classes, with the ability to walk safely from the Jr. High and High School.
For more than 7 years, the founding members of the Never Forget 9/11 Memorial Project have been working with our local schools to help educate students about the events of September 11, 2001. Aside from any reading they may do about the events of that day, the students don’t have a personal connection. Myrta Gschaar, one of the founding members, lost her husband, who worked in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Her personal accounting of the day provides an impactful memory for generations who don’t have their own personal memories of the day. As a 9/11 family member, Myrta has unique access to official documentation of the events of that day that can be incorporated into the learning center in the library, which may not otherwise be available.
Get Involved
Join us in our efforts to make a difference. Whether you volunteer your time, donate funds, or spread awareness about our cause, every little bit helps. Together, we can create lasting change and improve the lives of those in need.
Stakeholders
WHERE WE ARE AT NOW
We are always welcoming more support!
Sponsors
3
We are looking for businesses that would like to sponsor this organization.
Key advisors
9
We are looking for external experts who provide advice and guidance.
Collaborators
1
Looking for people to work jointly on activities or projects.
TOGETHER WE THRIVE
Join us in creating an educational 9/11 memorial for the schools in and around the Bedford Township community.
Partners
0
We would love to have funding partners.
Donors
850
We are looking for donations to fund this project.
Nonprofit Organizations
0
We are looking for associated non-profit organizations to offer their services to our visitors.
neverforget911memorial@gmail.com | Centennial Park, Jackman Rd, Lambertville, MI 48182 | 734-347-8362
Description: Never Forget 9/11 Memorial, Bedford Township
We start with Scott J. Heacock Architect
The outdoor memorial site, designed by award-winning, local architect Scott Heacock.
Outdoor Memorial
A carved-out space on the edge of the woods with a Pentagon-shaped concrete base and two “towers” representing the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center, made from concrete and steel.
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The Pentagon will have a curved wall around the back of it where all of the names of the 2,977 people killed on September 11, 2001, will be engraved.
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Benches will line the area for comfortable seating and reflection.
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An American Flag will be on display and illuminated at all times.
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A Callery Pear tree, known as the Survivor Tree, because it was found alive in the destruction of the World Trade Center Towers following 9/11, will be planted adjacent to the Memorial site.
Learning Center
The indoor educational site, inside the Bedford Branch Library, will consist of the following:
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A specially curated collection of print materials, most of which will be available to borrow with a Monroe County Library System card.
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A kiosk with a touch screen and headphones that will allow people to choose various resources to learn more about the events surrounding September 11, 2001.
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Photos, posters, and other visual items that will help people understand the scope of the events of that day.
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A unique pop-up display to help expand the Memorial annually in September for more people to be able to interact with the exhibit.
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Teaching resources for educators
We will be on the registered memorials interactive map soon!
Bedford Township on the map of 9/11 Memorials
9/11 Memorial & Museum has done extensive research and has many participants who’ve registered memorials with them directly through the official 9/11 Memorial & Museum website.