PORT ANGELES — A piece of Ground Zero is expected to be erected in a 9/11 memorial at Francis Street Park in time for a dedication on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack.
Efforts are under way to erect at the Port Angeles waterfront park a 9-foot-long rusty I-beam that was part of the World Trade Center that collapsed in the attack of Sept. 11, 2001.
Alan Barnard, the man behind monument, said the beam will be dedicated in a special ceremony at 2 p.m. on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
“It’s going to go up just the way it is, exactly as we received it,” said Barnard, who worked with the Port Angeles Fire Department Auxiliary to bring the beam to the North Olympic Peninsula.
First pour completed
Alex Anderson of Alex Anderson Concrete made the first of three donated concrete pours for the monument Thursday.
The second pour will happen later this week, Barnard said.
Dave Ketchum of Affordable Crane has volunteered to put the beam in place.
Others, such as Port Angeles engineer Steve Zenovic and local artists Gray Lucier and Bob Stokes, also are donating their time and skills.
Anderson alone has donated “thousands of dollars worth of his labor,” Barnard said.
The beam will be placed at the monument around the first of the month.
It will be dedicated along with two plaques memorializing those who perished on 9/11 and the local public safety workers who risk their lives every day.
IRS-deductible
Barnard, chairman of the one-man Public Safety Tribute Committee, described the preparations for the monument as “exciting” and “almost emotional.”
“I could have never hoped for anything more appropriate,” said Barnard, who opened the original 9/11 monument at Francis Street park in 2002.
About $2,500 still needs to be raised to pay for the memorial, but Barnard said that it will be dedicated on 9/11 regardless.
Donations should be made out to “Public Safety Tribute Committee” and sent to P.O. Box 845, Port Angeles, WA, 98362.
All donations are fully IRS-deductible.
For any questions or further information, Barnard can be reached at 360-461-0175.
Last month, the beam was carried by trailer and given an escort by police and American Legion and Patriot Guard riders for stops in Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks, Clallam Bay and Neah Bay.
Makah Tribal Chairman Micah McCarty described the relic of America’s worst terrorist attack as “sacred.”
The Sunday dedication ceremony next month will include a message from a Clallam County Sheriff’s chaplain and the singing of the national anthem by Teresa Pierce, Port Angeles executive communications coordinator.
Barnard said he was inspired by the heroes of 9/11.
“Sept. 11 hit me like all Americans,” Barnard said. “It was such a huge violation of our nation.”
Angered over the attacks, Barnard applied his emotion to building a permanent monument for cops and firefighters.
The 9/11 beam will complete his vision for Francis Street park.
“On one hand, it’s a rusty old beam,” Barnard said. “On the other hand, it’s a symbol of what happened in this country, and a symbol of the resolve of America.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.