Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue planning memorial.
Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue will be one of only a handful of agencies to receive a piece of history from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“There’s just an energy level you can feel,” CKFR Assistant Chief Roy Lusk said. “It’s pretty special in our hearts.”
CKFR has been tapped to receive steel from one of the World Trade Center towers that was demolished in the terrorist attacks in New York City.
CKFR is one of five agencies across the state to gain approval from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to get some of the steel.
“We were the first to be approved in the state,” Lusk said.
A few CKFR volunteer firefighters learned about the opportunity and asked Lusk if CKFR could possibly get a piece of one of the Twin Towers.
Lusk decided it was a great idea and applied to receive a piece of the steel.
Lusk said CKFR originally wanted to create the 9/11 display at the CKFR Headquarters on Newberry Hill Road in Silverdale, but the agency decided to place the memorial in a central location where the entire community could enjoy it.
“It’s meant to bring honor to the individuals who lost their lives,” Lusk said. “It’s also intended to educate future generations.”
CKFR formed a committee of community members to decide where the 9/11 memorial should be located and its design. The group is holding its first meeting Tuesday, Nov. 3.
“We want this to be community-driven,” CKFR spokeswoman Theresa MacLennan said.
Lusk isn’t sure how large the piece of steel or 9/11 memorial will be at this time, but that will be determined as the planning process moves forward.
Lusk said he thinks a 9/11 memorial will be popular in Kitsap County because people still attend 9/11 remembrance events held on Sept. 11 each year.
“We want to create something that any day, any time people can go there,” he said.
CKFR is not using any department funds to ship the steel to Kitsap County or build the memorial, according to MacLennan. She said they hope to raise enough money through donations to cover the expenses.
“This is truly a community effort,” MacLennan said.
Because a design has not been finalized, Lusk isn’t sure how much the 9/11 memorial will cost, but he estimates it will be in the tens of thousands.
Lusk said he would like to have Kitsap’s 9/11 memorial built and on display by Sept. 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
“I really think this is going to be a great thing for Kitsap County,” he said.
People may donate to the 9/11 memorial project at the Silverdale American Marine Bank, located at 10100 Silverdale Way NW. Donations should be directed to the 9/11 Memorial Fund.
To send suggestions or thoughts on the project, e-mail 911ArtifactCommittee@ckfr.org.
