On a recent Saturday morning, Rotary Club members met for their annual cleanup service project at Bedford’s 9/11 Memorial. With this being the 25th year since the terrorist attacks on America, the work was of greater significance.
The 9/11 Memorial’s ongoing stewardship is shared by the Rotary Club of Bedford and Bedford’s Department of Public Works. Rotarians wielding rakes and clippers, and lugging brush, included Tom Pinney (Club President), Diana Jarvis, Victor Tom, Sze-Wen Kuo, Christine Pinney, Katherine Pinney, Paula Gilarde, and Marc Hamilton.
Located a short distance beyond the entrance to Springs Brook Park, the 9/11 Memorial was the vision of the late Bedford Rotary founding member Robert “Bob” Mead. Together with the late Bedford Rotarian Nathaniel “Nat” Brown, they created the memorial garden. Many in Bedford, past and present, contributed to the living memorial, including the Bedford DPW, Bedford Jewelers, B.H.S. Shop Teacher, Kevin Connolly, Foti Tree Service of Lexington, Mead Brothers Tree Service, the Millipore Corporation, New England Nurseries, Patriot Landscaping, Shawsheen Realty, and Town & Country Painting.
In April 2002, less than a year after the attack, the memorial was dedicated in memory of the thousands who perished on that day in 2001. The dedication plaque mounted on the granite boulder in the garden explains the numerical and historical meaning of each plant and stone.
Two New York Maple Trees, New York’s state tree, represent the World Trade Center towers.
Four Kousa Dogwoods represent those who lost their lives on the four planes.
Among them were Bedford residents Chuck Jones (on Flight 11) and Neil Mariani (on Flight 175).
Nine Rose of Sharon shrubs represent the 9th month.
Eleven Stones, arranged in front of the Rose of Sharon, represent the 11th day.
It is a place of reflection and remembrance - NEVER FORGET
See more photos here