MEDINA, Ohio — Twenty years ago — on Sept. 11, 2001 — the world was shocked when two 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, 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 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.
“While we were all safe going about our daily business, a fight for life was taking place above our heads,” he said.
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 first responders.
The memorial was dedicated on July 28,…