Gilbert, Ariz., Home to 9/11 Memorial

Memorial features WTC Beam, tribute to 3,000 lost

The Town of Gilbert, Arizona, just southeast of Phoenix, is now home to a powerful 9/11 Memorial that pays tribute to the lives lost during the worst act of terrorism on American soil, as it recognizes the strength that came as our nation reached out and pulled us together.

The memorial features an 8-foot steel girder beam that once held up the North Tower of the World Trade Center.  It was given to Gilbert Fire Chief Collin DeWitt on March 24, following his three-year quest to bring it home for a memorial.  DeWitt and Assistant Fire Chief Jim Jobusch drove to New York City to personally collect the beam, and then gave it an honorable ride home with the same respect paid to a fallen soldier.  The beam traveled throughout Gilbert, allowing families to see it, touch it and learn about it, as the memorial was designed and then built in only four months.  Generous donors provided supplies, design and more than $74,000.

The beam is angled so that even small children can reach up and touch this real piece of history.  Four granite walls feature the names of those lost in the attacks, on the planes, in the towers and in the Pentagon.  Six benches and trees also surround the memorial, which has regularly gathered flags and flowers in its rubble base since its unveiling on the 10th anniversary ceremony on Sept. 11, 2011. 

The memorial rests on a pentagon shape and is surrounded by bricks, some of which have messages from donors.  More bricks will be sold next year and unveiled at the 11th anniversary tribute, and those funds will go toward the memorial’s maintenance.

About Gilbert: Gilbert is a community of about 220,000 residents, and is the seventh largest community in Arizona, the 97th in the nation.  The Town features innovative medical research and treatment facilities including Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center and Celebration Stem Cell Centre.  Gilbert is a family-friendly community know for its “small-town feel with big city appeal.”  It is regularly regarded as one of the safest communities in the nation, and for its nationally recognized parks including the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch and Cosmo Dog Park. 

Week of Tribute to 9/11

The town has acquired an eight foot long, 1,500 pound beam from the World Trade Center, from the New York City Port Authority. Gilbert is is among a few municipalities in Arizona that received an artifact from the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center tragedy.

At least 1,000 people joined for the Dedication of the Gilbert 9/11 Memorial at Town Hall on Sunday. Hundreds continued to visit the Gilbert memorial site, at the entrance of Town Hall Municipal Building I at the southeast corner Gilbert & Warner roads, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, throughout Sunday, the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, leaving flowers and flags and reflecting on the World Trade Center steel beam and the 3,000 names listed on four granite walls. Read more >>

With Special Thanks

Gilbert's 9/11 Memorial Would Not Have Been Accomplished without the Dedication and Support of the Following:

  • HDA Architects, LLC
  • FCI Constructors, INC.
  • Red River Contracting
  • Botta Concrete Construction Corp
  • G&G Masonry
  • Schuff Steel
  • JFK Electric
  • OLT Steel Erectors, LLC
  • Fort McDowell Yavapai Materials
  • Whitecap Construction Supply
  • J2 Engineering & Environmental Design
  • Granite Express
  • V & P Nurseries
  • Town of Gilbert Fire Resource Division
  • Town of Gilbert Public Works Street Division
  • Maxim Crane
  • United Rentals
  • Artesian Natural Stone
  • Cold Spring Granite Company
  • American Fence
  • Ramo's Pavers
  • Dunn Edwards Paint
  • Bob's Barricades

With special thanks to the following for their generous support:

  • Albertson's
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Bergie's Coffee House
  • Best Buy
  • Blue 32
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • California Pizza Kitchen in Dana Park
  • Cantina Laredo
  • Carol Diego
  • Chick-Fil-A(San Tan Village Marketplace)
  • Coffee Cove
  • Costco
  • Dillards
  • Dunkin Donuts
  • Einstein Bagels
  • East Valley Office Supply, Inc
  • Elizabeth's Arizona Doves
  • Famous Daves
  • Flancers
  • Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
  • Fry's Food Stores
  • Fuschia Spa in Dana Park
  • Gilbert Chamber of Commerce
  • Gilbert Farmers Market
  • Gilbert Parks and Rec
  • Gilbert Small Business Alliance
  • Gordon Biersch/Rock Bottom Brewery
  • Grimaldi's
  • Harkins Theaters
  • The Healys and The Higginbothams in honor of Capt. Dennis Bain Healy
  • Home Depot
  • House of Brews
  • Ihop
  • Imagine School West Gilbert
  • Joe's Barbecue
  • Johnny Rockets
  • Kona Grill
  • La Petite Academy #7659
  • Lisa's Rum Cake
  • M & I Bank
  • Macy's
  • Massage Heights
  • Maui Wowi
  • Meineke
  • Minuteman Press
  • Nando's
  • New Mexican Grill
  • NYPD
  • Oregano's
  • Paradise Bakery (San Tan Village)
  • Pei Wei
  • Philosophy
  • Polar Ice
  • Sal's Gilbert Pizza
  • Sam's Club
  • San Tan Ford
  • Starbucks
  • Sun valley Church
  • Target
  • Texas Roadhouse (Power & Ray)
  • The Keg
  • Wal Mart
  • Weinberg Elementary
  • Westcor Santan Village Mall
  • Western Skies
  • Williams Field High School Football Varsity Club
  • Zipps Bar & Grill

Tribute Events

Day of Service: Volunteering on 9/11 and Beyond

  • Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011   9am-noon
    McQueen Park Activity Center, 510 N. Horne Street
    • Join several nonprofit organizations offering a variety of volunteer opportunities to pay tribute to those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and to volunteer year-round. Many tables will be available offering volunteer opportunities at the event itself, including to write letters to members of the military, make scrapbook pages for children in the welfare system, free resume writing assistance, or prepare an emergency preparedness kit. There will also be art tables, including a table where you can help create a link for the Chain of Hope, which will be on display for the Sept. 11 ceremony. Images of the 3,000 lost will play on TV screens, and a video team will be taking 30 second messages of tribute from the public.

Candlelight Vigil. A Tribute to Memories

  • Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011  7:30pm
    9/11 Memorial, Town Hall, 50 E. Civic Center Drive
    • Candles will be provided to the public at this solemn vigil that will take place at the 9/11 Memorial, just outside of Town Hall. The 45-minute event will include stories, prayers, songs and the candlelight tribute in memory and honor of those lost. Seating will be under the trees in the grassy area, a limited number of chairs will be available. The Memorial will be veiled during this event, unveiling will be on Sunday, September 11.

9/11 Memorial Construction Photos

9/11 Remembrance: Military Support Day

  • Monday, Sept. 5 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    9/11 Memorial, Town Hall, 50 E. Civic Center Drive
    • Join local veteran groups for a lunch of corn beef and cabbage and to learn about military organizations, as well as help donate supplies to be sent overseas. This day is an excellent opportunity to thank the troops who stepped forward to protect us following the attacks. This day of tribute is in honor of all Veterans who have protected our country, before and after the attacks. There will also be information about programs such as Operation Welcome Home, which are designed to appreciate our veterans year-round. Lawn seating available: please bring your chairs and blankets. Tables and chairs will also be available.

Heroic Adventures

  • Tuesday, Sept. 6, during the school day
    In participating schools. Contact kim.yonda-lead@gilbertaz.gov
    • Gilbert volunteers are offering to help take local fourth grade students on a 'heroic adventure' as they learn about and remember the 10th anniversary and pay tribute to 9/11. The Gilbert 9/11 Memorial Committee is offering to provide readers to visit schools and read the book, "Fireboat, The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey." The book tells the tale of the events of that day from the perspective of a heroic fireboat, which in reality was among the rescue efforts. The readings will take place during the school day on Tuesday, Sept. 6, during a week of events paying tribute to 9/11, leading up to the Sept. 11 unveiling of the new 9/11 Memorial at Town Hall, constructed with a real 8-foot long piece of the World Trade Center.
    • Read Blog - 9/11 books for Children Links outside Town of Gilbert website
    • Teachers Sought for Heroic Adventures Read More >>

Healing through Artistic Response Photos


More Photos

Healing through Artistic Response

  • Wednesday, Sept. 7
    Display at Southeast Regional & Perry Branch libraries
    • Gilbert is seeking photographs, paintings and drawings, with the theme of "Memory of Hope." Artwork will be placed on display at the library on Sept. 7, and can be retrieved between September 12th - 19th. Please join us in paying tribute in an artistic manner.

Honoring Our Public Safety

  • Thursday, Sept. 8, 6:30 - 7 p.m.
    9/11 Memorial, Town Hall, 50 E. Civic Center Drive
    • Join the Town of Gilbert for a special dedication for all of our local heroes and those that became heroes on September 11, 2001. The Town of Gilbert will be giving our own Civic Center Drive a new commemorative name of "American Heroes Way". The street which will still remain "Civic Center Drive" for mailing and address purposes but will also be dedicated as "American Heroes Way". At the event local restaurants will be providing desserts as part of the celebration. This event that is honoring our Public Safety is a part of Gilbert's 9/11 Week of Tribute. It is free and open to the public.

Day of Remembrance

  • Friday, Sept. 9, daylong
    • Videos taken during the week and provided to the Town will be unveiled in a special Day of Remembrance program to be played on local Cox Channel 11, streamed on "Gilbert Live" online at www.gilbertaz.gov, and in town recreation facilities. Those who wish to share their 10 to 15 second video on how they plan to pay tribute and remember those lost, on Sept. 11, are welcome to post to YouTube and email the link to the Town at 911Memorial@gilbertaz.gov. (Deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 6, to make video) The Town will also provide materials online for parents to use in age-appropriate "teachable moments" with their children, about 9/11 and what the day means. Those materials will be posted here.
    • Day of Remembrance a Good Time to Talk to Children about 9/11 - Read more

Preserving Family

  • Saturday, Sept. 10, 8 - 10 a.m.
    Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, 2757 E. Guadalupe Road
    • Take your family to a special event meant to remind us all how important it is to keep in close touch with our family. This event will include a variety of areas to learn and share, including a photo area for family portraits, a book reading area, a section to write letters to family members, another area for scrapbooking, and a variety of family-friendly and supportive events. There will be water, donuts and breakfast bars available.
    • Saturday Event Weather Plan - Read more

More Videos

Memorial Dedication

  • Sunday, Sept. 11, 8 - 9 a.m.
    9/11 Memorial, Town Hall, 50 E. Civic Center Drive
    • The Gilbert 9/11 Memorial will be unveiled at this special ceremony to pay tribute to those lost, and remember the heroes during the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The ceremony will include honor guard and color guard, as well as performance of "You Are Our Heroes," by elementary students, and tributes to loved ones lost by local residents, and will include dignitaries from throughout the Valley. The video will also be available after the event online and on Channel 11. Lawn seating available: please bring your chairs and blankets.

Help us Recognize Moments that Changed our World

Moments pass by all the time; sometimes we disregard them as we take a break from those other moments of intense hard work.

Some moments, though, stand out in history - and are important to take note of. Such moments include the instant that the first plane struck the World Trade Towers, and the moment the second one did - instantly stealing the lives of innocent people, and ripping a hole through our nation that we filled with heroism as we came together to heal.

Those moments include the moment a third plane crashed into the Pentagon, and the instant that heroes aboard Flight 93 high above Pennsylvania determined to change history and save untold lives.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of those attacks that stole 3,000 good people from us, and brought us together, we ask you to plan your morning by scheduling these moments of silence with us, marking those instances that continue to resound in our national conscience.

Join us on Facebook and Twitter as we remind people of each #911MomentofSilence - help us retweet those moments so that we collectively can hear the silence as we remember those lost, and pay the tribute deserved by the heroes that rushed into the buildings, risking their lives to change ours.

I ask you to take out your smart phones and calendars and mark these moments down. No matter what you are doing, join us in these moments of silence and reflection. This tribute will only make us stronger and continue to bring us together as a nation proud of our diversity and character.

Please join us in a seven to 10 second moment of silence during each of these moments on Sept. 11, 2011 (Arizona time is also welcome in paying tribute to these moments of silence):

  • · 8:46 a.m. EDT (5:46 a.m. Arizona time) - the first plane strikes the World Trade Center.
  • · 9:03 a.m. EDT (6:03 a.m. Arizona time) - the second plane strikes the World Trade Center.
  • · 9:43 a.m. EDT (6:43 a.m. Arizona time) - plane crashes into the Pentagon.
  • · 9:59 a.m. EDT (6:59 a.m. Arizona time) - South Tower collapses.
  • · 10:10 a.m. EDT ( 7:10 a.m. Arizona time) - Flight 93 crashes in Shanksville, Penn.
  • · 10:28 a.m. EDT (7:28 a.m. Arizona time) - North Tower collapses.
  • · 5:21 p.m. EDT (2:21 p.m. Arizona time) Building 7, a 47-story skyscraper in the World Trade Center, collapses due to intense fire.

~ Collin DeWitt, Fire Chief

9/11 Memorial Blog

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