MEDINA, Ohio -- Twenty-one years ago -- on Sept. 11, 2001 -- the world was shocked when two commercial airplanes flew into the World Trade Center in New York City, another plane crashed into the Pentagon, and a fourth plane crashed into the ground in Shanksville, Pa.

All four planes had been hijacked by terrorists planning to disrupt the U.S. government and to take as many innocent lives as possible. On that day, nearly 3,000 people were killed and the United States learned that terrorists could permanently alter our perception of safety.

Eight years later, 2009, Rotary Club member Bill Cohen saw an ad in the New York Times stating that non-profit organizations could apply to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for a remnant of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers.

The Medina Rotary Club applied and was awarded a large section of steel -- an I-beam from the North Tower, weighing approximately 1½ tons. It was delivered by Medina’s Krakowski Trucking to the Coleman Family of Standard Welding in Medina for storage and safekeeping in late summer 2011.

Because United Airlines Flight 93 -- the plane that passengers commandeered and forced down in Pennsylvania -- flew over Medina County on its new route that was assumed would take it to the U.S. Capitol, Cohen felt Medina had a direct connection to 9/11.

After searching for the perfect spot for a memorial, it was decided that the area adjacent to Medina Fire Station #1, 300 W. Reagan Parkway, would be an ideal location. The memorial permanently recognizes the sacrifices of all involved, particularly our first responders.

This Sunday, "Patriot Day" (Sept. 11, at 10:30 AM), a ceremony to acknowledge the 21th anniversary of the attacks was held at the 9/11 Memorial Park in Medina, hosted by the Medina Sunrise Rotary Club and the City of Medina. We extend a special thank you to the many who participated today, including:

Medina County Commissioner Bill Hutson, U.S. Military Chaplain LtCol Reid Miller, Westfield Fire Chief Brian Cavanaugh, Josh Kallet and the United Airlines Crews, Rolling Thunder, the Medina Fire Department and the Medina Sunrise Rotarians.

The Medina 911 Memorial was dedicated on July 28, 2018, thanks to the vision of Bill Cohen, Dr. Kelly Low, the Medina Rotary clubs, United Airlines, the Medina Fire Department and the City of Medina.

The Medina Sunrise Rotary Club is honored to continue the solemn remembrance of this day in our history that we shall never forget. #westandtogetheramerica

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