New bricks are installed in the memorial every spring. If you would like to help support this effort you may purchase an engraved brick with your name or a loved one’s in the memorial.
The first phase of the Enfield Fire Department’s 9/11 Memorial Tribute Garden broke ground in early June of 2008 and was completed in time for it’s dedication on September 11th, 2008.
In early July of 2011 the Enfield Fire Department was awarded receipt of two large beams from the World Trade Center and ground was broken to incorporate the large beams into the Memorial Tribute Garden. Construction of this phase of the project was completed in time for the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy and the beams were unveiled during the September 11th, memorial ceremony of 2011. The total cost of the project exceeded $37,000 and was supported through contributions and in-kind contributions from corporate and private sponsors and donors resulting in no cost to the taxpayers.
The design, construction and dedication has been managed by Lt. Brian Ellis of the Enfield Fire District Number One Volunteer Firefighters Association. Congressman Joseph Courtney assisted process by which the Enfield Fire Department was awarded receipt of the artifacts from the World Trade Center. The two beams on display in our 9/11 Memorial Tribute Garden are part of the support structure from the north face of the North Tower at about the 80th story level.
9/11 Memorial Tribute Garden Interpretation
The 9/11 Memorial Tribute Garden includes a pair of granite pillars, a pentagon shaped granite slab, grassy plantings and boulders to memorialize the three attack sites; the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the Pentagon building in our nation’s capitol and the grassy field of Shanksville Pennsylvania where United flight 93 crashed as the planes occupants tried to heroically to overthrow the hijacking terrorist intent on inflicting more harm on our nation’s capital.
The design of the garden provides a quiet place of reflection on the tragedy of September 11th and those who were lost on that day. The walkway, benches and arched rear wall form the base which encircles the memorial and provides for a memorial dedication to a loved one and recognition of supporters who helped make this tribute possible. The Maltese cross has stood as a symbol of protection since the days of the Knights of St. John and reflects the protection afforded the public and this memorial by all who wear the Maltese cross and all who serve in the emergency services.
On the forward rock wall, which completes the Memorial Tribute Garden, you will notice starts out on one side as a conventional wall, representing the normalcy predating September 11th 2001. The center of the wall is crumbled and symbolic of the destruction and crushed dreams caused by the attacks of September 11th. And finally the wall rises to represent the rebuilding from the tragedy and the undeniable resolve of the American spirit to rise above the destruction.
