9/11 Memorial
In the early spring of 2010, Deputy Fire Chief Robert Buxton read an article in a fire service publication announcing that steel from the World Trade Center buildings would be available for memorials dedicated to those lost on that fateful day. The towers collapsed on September 11, 2001 due to terrorists crashing two planes into the World Trade Center Buildings in New York City.
Fire Captain David Morin contacted the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey requesting a piece of the steel for a memorial to be erected in Benson’s Park in memory of Hudson resident David Kovalcin. He was one of the passengers lost on Flight 11 which struck the World Trade Center, Tower One (North Tower) killing thousands.
A community effort was put forth and a 9/11 Memorial Committee was immediately formed made up of firefighters, police officers, public workers, town officials and residents. Within the first 15 minutes of first meeting the Committee had sketched the design of the proposed memorial on a napkin and approved the design. From there they worked hard throughout the next year to raise funds to complete the needed preparations for the Town of Hudson's 9/11 Memorial.
On the exact day that United States Navy SEALs ended the life of Osama bin Laden, the Hudson 9/11 Memorial Committee was notified by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that a piece of steel from Tower One (North Tower), 23rd floor elevator shaft, would be designated to the Hudson 9/11 Memorial.
On May 12, 2011, a caravan made up of fire and police department vehicles along with a donated flat bed tractor trailer, donated by the Continental Paving Company, traveled to an airport in Queens New York to pick up the 23 foot long, several thousand pound piece of steel.
Throughout the summer fundraising and preparation continued by the hard work of the many memorial committee members and the residents and businesses of Hudson. Due to the size and magnitude of the project, construction companies were contacted to construct a memorial. After consultation with these companies the Committee learned that the cost would not fit within the Memorial's budget and the timeframe for construction would not allow the project to be completed for the anticipated dedication on September 11, 2011.
With only two weeks until the scheduled dedication date, the Committee and many volunteers with the help of the town's Public Works Department, set to work and cleared the land for the memorial. Starting in the early hours of each morning, working 'til sunset on their days off and weekends, Committee members and residents made sure this memorial would be completed. A few days before the dedication ceremony, hurricane Irene struck the area bringing heavy downpours, but the volunteers did not let the rain deter their spirit. In the drenching rain, with mud on their hands and knees, volunteers laid several thousands of feet of sod grass around the memorial. Within a day of the dedication the finishing touches were made to the Hudson 9/11 Memorial.
On September 11, 2011 the sky was clear blue just as it was on September 11, 2001. Several thousand, town residents, officials, fire, police, military and state officials and other dignitaries gathered around the 9/11 Memorial for the official dedication ceremony.
This fitting tribute would not have been completed without the dedication and support of the town's volunteers and businesses providing the needed funds, materials and assistance.
The Hudson 9/11 Memorial is dedicated to all of those lost in the terrorist attacks in 2001 and to our military personnel who served our country to ensure that these horrible events would never happen again. Today we continue to suffer more losses each day as many victims, rescue workers and construction workers still suffer from the lasting effects of the attacks with cancer and other illnesses.
Each year hundreds who visit the park take a moment to reflect on that day and each year the community of Hudson comes together on September 11, to remember and honor so that We May Never Forget.
By David Morin
