Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with the Spirit of Springfield for the 9/11 Monument transfer ceremony today. The 9/11 Monument, a structural steel beam from the World Trade Center in New York City, was donated to the Spirit of Springfield by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. A dedication ceremony to display the monument for all to see was held last year at the newly refurbished Riverfront Park.
“I want to thank the Spirit of Springfield, especially President Judy Matt, Board Chair attorney Melinda Phelps, and each the members of the Board of Directors, for all that they do for our Springfield. It’s an honor for the City of Springfield to host this steel beam from the World Trade Center and to honor all the first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty on 9/11. This memorial will serve as a reminder to all who visit the dedication and the sacrifice our first responders make every day for our communities,” Mayor Sarno said.
The Mayor added, “This transfer ceremony is a beautiful occasion to acknowledge and thank everyone who was a part of this effort including our many benefactors, philanthropic business community, members of Springfield’s September 11th Monument Fundraising Committee, and our city team of PBRM Executive Director Patrick Sullivan, Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, and Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi. This monument, which we installed at our Riverfront Park, sends a strong message that from these tragic events, we came together stronger as one nation. America continues to shine as a beacon of strength and Democracy, and that we will always remember and never forget.”
Also in attendance at the monument transfer ceremony were representatives from the offices of U.S. Congressman Richard Neal and state Senator James T. Welch, City Councilor Malo Brown, Dennis Leger of the Springfield Fire Department, and Tony Cignoli. Vanessa Ford was in attendance and sang the National Anthem, on America’s National Anthem Day – on March 3, 1931 President Herbert Hoover signed a resolution from Congress, formally codifying the Star Spangled Banner as our official national anthem.
