On that fateful day, September 11th 2001, this Nation lost a portion of its innocence as the result of a coordinated attack by terrorists trained, supported, funded and acting in the behest of the Radical Islamic Terrorist Group Al Qaeda. As the result of four commercial airlines used as weapons of mass destruction and being flown into the World Trade Center Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and one targeting Washinton D.C. but averted by citizen heroes, almost 3,000 innocent people lost their lives. This Memorial stands in honor of those that sacrificed their all that day, and the time hence, as a result of the struggle of good over evil. It is in fact a Memorial for Citizens by Citizens.
The Kentucky September 11th Memorial began in a dark corner of Hanger 7, John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, New York. There, lying amongst other remaining artifacts from the World Trade Center, was the steel column that is now the main artifact standing atop the marble column at the Kentucky September 11th Memorial.
After the attacks, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey immediately established a board with three goals. To identify iconic structures, architectural structures, and pieces having forensic or investigative significance. With respect to the first two goals, the board was to develop a preservation project “in order to help future generations understand the architectural and engineering uniqueness of the original World Trade Center design through an examination of the particular structural steel.”
Collection, documentation, measurements, photographs, and cataloging were all handled to archival standards with sorting of large pieces occurring on-site and going either to Hanger 17 or a salvage yard in the NYC area. Those pieces designated for examination and testing by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD were transported there and later returned to Hanger 17. The Port Authority moved to release pieces through a legal process to organizations for display. The National September 11th Memorial and Museum had priority of artifact selection with other organizations allowed to select from either remaining pieces or as alternates behind the Museum.
As part of this process, the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC), with support from the National 911 Museum and Port Authority, was able to secure several pieces for display at its facility. Due to the pieces it secured, the TSC felt it appropriate to transfer one piece to the Fire Department of New York and one to the Kentucky Department of Veteran's Affairs for public display. The Kentucky September 11th Memorial is that piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center site. The Memorial and surrounding site is and will become the result of efforts of private citizens, veterans, and companies coming together to honor those that gave their all and continue to do so.