PORT ANGELES — After reading a story in the Peninsula Daily News almost a month ago about people using pieces of the former World Trade Center as memorials for those who lost their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles aviation mechanic Samuel Allen got an idea.
The next day, he spoke with fellow Coast Guard mechanic, Andrew Moravec, about creating the same type of memorial in Port Angeles, and the two began working on their proposal.
“I just mentioned it to Andrew,” Allen said, telling him, “‘That’s a great idea. We should look into that.'”
“I think it will really give people a chance to reflect on what happened on that day,” added the 27-year-old second class petty officer.
With a sketch of what the memorial could look like, they approached Port Angeles Deputy Recreation Director Richard Bonine about placing it at Francis Street Park next to the current memorial dedicated to law enforcement officers.
Impressed by the idea, Bonine took the proposal to the city’s Parks, Recreation and Beautification Commission, which unanimously endorsed it on Thursday.
“The parks and recreation commission obviously feels it would be a good thing to have in the community,” Bonine said. “And I am in total agreement with the board on that.”
With the city’s approval, Allen’s and Moravec’s next step would be to send a letter to the New York Port Authority requesting a piece of the World Trade Center to use as a memorial.
The Coast Guard would be the sponsor of the memorial, they said. That requires the signature of one of their supervisors, which they don’t think will be hard to get.
At this point, Allen and Moravec said they are unsure how long it would take to get the port authority’s approval or how much such a memorial would cost, but they think that their chances of getting an authentic reminder of that tragic day are high.
“I think we have a really good chance,” Allen said.
“I think that they know we will present it in a respectful manner.”
But whether the memorial will take shape is still “up in the air,” he added.
Moravec, 22, a third class petty officer, said he hopes that such a memorial would impact people like his trip to ground zero when he was stationed in New York.
“I think it would actually open people’s eyes,” he said.
“It’s actually pretty moving to see the area,” he added.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
