September 11, 2001. That date and memories of the terrorist attack that day are indelibly etched in the history of the United States. Nearly 3,000 people died in the collapse of the twin towers of New York’s World Trade Center, and in the crash of four hijacked planes used to carry out the attack.

Grief was felt in homes and towns across the country, including Bedford. Two residents, Chuck Jones and Neil Mariani, were among the victims. In their memory, and of the thousands of others across the nation who perished, a memorial was envisioned.
Robert “Bob” Mead, a 1956 founding member of the Rotary Club of Bedford, conceived and designed the layout for a memorial garden. Partnered by Rotarian Nathaniel “Nat” K. Brown, who helped fund the project, they led the garden’s creation and construction.
 

The Bedford 9/11 Memorial was dedicated on April 27, 2002.  Reflection and remembrance are inherent in the symbolic meaning throughout.

• Two Maple trees (the State Tree of New York), representing the World Trade towers, are located closest to the road into Springs Brook Park.
• Four Kousa Dogwoods, two located on either side of the memorial space, represent those who lost their lives on the four planes.
• Nine Rose of Sharon bushes, located beyond the dedication plaque, represent September, the 9th month.
• The Eleven Stones, arranged in front of the Rose of Sharon, represent the 11th day.

Contributors to the memorial’s creation included: Bedford DPW, Bedford Jewelers, BHS Shop Teacher-Kevin Connelly, Don Mead, FOTI Tree Service, Lexington, MA, the Mead Family, Mead Brothers Tree Service, Millipore Corporation, New England Nurseries, Patriot Landscaping, Shawsheen Realty, Town & Country Painting.

The memorial has been the site of many 9/11 commemorative ceremonies, including in 2006 when Terrence Parker, then President of Bedford Rotary, said, “We must never forget the innocent men, women, and children who lost their lives. We must never forget the firefighters, the EMT’s and all those who lost their lives in public service. We must never forget them because they were heroes.”

Stewardship maintenance of the 9/11 Memorial continues to be shared by the Rotary Club of Bedford, Bedford’s Department of Public Works, and the Town’s Recreation Department.