Wednesday, January 23, 2002
The memorial will have six sets of twin pillars.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BAZETTA -- There soon will be no doubt that patriotism is alive in the township.
Residents of Cortland and Bazetta, who are members of the Wings of Patriots Committee, are planning to build a $200,000 memorial to remember all the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The nonprofit organization has spent the last two months working with local architect Ed Jakubick in designing the memorial, which will be built in Bazetta Park, off state Route 305 near Mosquito Lake.
"The committee has taken what originally was going to be a large gazebo and turned it into a one-of-a-kind piece of Americana to mark what many believe was the worst day in American history," said Gary Sarko, a township resident.
Three-fold: He noted that the memorial will pay tribute to the victims of the attacks in three ways.
"We will have six sets of twin pillars, which will represent the twin trade centers," Sarko said. "We will also have a paver stone presentation area in the shape of the Pentagon and four live blue spruce trees brought in from Somerset, Pa., to pay tribute to the heroes of Flight 93."
The pavilion will be adorned by 12 American flags and will be tall enough to fit a 25-foot Christmas tree every holiday season, Sarko said.
"I would love to see the [Air Force] Blue Angels fly over when we dedicate this," Sarko said. "We make no apologies for thinking big. That's why we had the twin trade centers. That is what Americans do -- we think big and then we work hard and go do it."
Community help: Sarko and Mike Ranttila, a Cortland resident on the committee, said they are asking citizens and business owners to buy an inscribed paver stone. The stones cost $50.
"Donating $50 will permanently remind the world how family after American family was united on Sept. 11, 2001," Sarko said. "We are looking to sell around 2,500 family and business inscribed paver stones to fund this project. We are asking anyone who considers themselves a patriotic American to donate whatever they can spare."
Rantilla said the committee is hoping to get donations soon so that the memorial can be built by Sept. 11 this year.
sinkovich@vindy.com