By Brian Benson Daily News
Planners of a September 11 memorial that would include a piece of steel from the World Trade Center – destroyed in the terrorist attacks – are ramping up fundraising efforts as they hope to make the project come to fruition.
The memorial, slated to go in front of the downtown police and fire station, is expected to cost about $75,000 and organizers said they have only raised about $23,000.
“To have this memorial right in our front yard is going to be a tribute like no other,” said Firefighter Danny Hartwell, who serves on a committee planning the effort.
The group got approval from selectmen last year for the memorial to victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, survivors and heroes that emerged in the attacks’ aftermath. The group is selling bricks on which people can have messages or names engraved. The bricks will be installed at the memorial.
Police Lt. Cara Rossi-Cafarelli, who is also part of the organizing committee, said the bricks are a great way for people to donate as a family, business or individual. Organizers are also accepting other donations in any amount.
In 2012, Natick veteran Ken Gidney brought two pieces of steel from the World Trade Center back from New York’s Port Authority. One of the pieces is already at a memorial outside the Natick VFW post.
Artist Jeff Buccacio helped design a reflection garden and memorial for the second piece to go by the police and fire complex. That design includes benches, landscaping, a sundial and a stone on which the steel will sit.
Rossi-Cafarelli said the September 11 terrorist attacks have significance across the country. It has special significance in Massachusetts since the two planes that hit the World Trade Center towers left from Logan Airport in Boston, she said.
“We want to make sure nobody forgets,” she said of the memorial.
For more information about the project and making a donation, visit natickma.gov/home/pages/911-memorial.
