Plans for Tarpon Springs first responders to build a memorial commemorating the events of 9/11 began years ago. The tireless crew of Station 69 made countless phone calls before receiving word that they could obtain a piece of one of the beams from the World Trade Center. It took two years for the piece to arrive at the station. Now, that section of rusting steel from the fallen twin towers has a new home in Tarpon Springs.
The sculpture that houses this piece of American History is designed and built entirely by members of the Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue squad. With some help from the pros, Chief Richard Butcher designed the layout of the memorial. Retired Tarpon firefighter Bill Storms is responsible for the construction of the two towers.
Today, the Tarpon Springs firefighters unveiled the sculpture that is the main focus of their memorial garden. Their towers rise ten feet above a badge of bricks. The American flag waves above the small garden in the center of the badge.
This unique sculpture not only commemorates the courage of first responders on 9/11, it also recognizes those who died in service to the City of Tarpon Springs. To one side of the twin towers is a stone monument etched with the names of local heroes lost in the line of duty. Inside one of the towers on is the steel from the World Trade Center in New York City and a small cross for the 2974 first responders lost. The other tower holds the words "We Will Never Forget" The stone slab is a public safety memorial, donated by Thomas Dobies of Dobies Funeral Homes.
All those who contributed to this project deserve our thanks and a collective promise that we will not forget their fallen colleagues and friends.
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