An everlasting memorial to emergency responders and American citizens who sacrificed their lives during the 9-11 terrorists’ attacks should be erected by Sept. 11 at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.
A committee of citizens, a retired sheriff’s lieutenant, firefighters and sheriff’s deputies are planning the memorial and the 9-11 memorial ceremony at the sheriff’s office at 940 New Salem Highway. They presented their concept to Mark D. Ours, a civil and structural engineer and native of DeKalb Co., who donated his services of a rendering of the monument.
The centerpiece of the $30,000 memorial will be a 3,000-pound I-beam from Tower 1 of the World Trade Center supported by three pedestals representing firefighters, law enforcement officers and paramedics, said Deputy Greg Dotson, who is spearheading the project. The artifact situated at a 30-degree angle will point toward New York City.
A two-level concrete base will hold the memorial with the “Pledge of Allegiance” inscribed around it. Four urns on each corner will represent the innocent citizens flying on four airplanes the terrorists crashed into the two World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. The flight numbers will be inscribed on a brass band around each urn.
Four flagpoles will stand at each corner flying the U.S. and state of Tennessee flags with rotating 9-11 flags and rotating flags for each branch of the military.
To pay for the memorial, the sheriff’s office is selling commemorative bricks, one 8x8 for $100 and 4x8 for $50 with names or messages inscribed in the bricks. The bricks will form a sidewalk around the memorial. Bricks must be purchased by July 28 to be installed by Sept. 11 when the memorial will be unveiled.
Also, the sheriff’s office is seeking contributions of cash or materials to fund the blueprints, the crane to lift the artifact in place, lighting, the urns with the brass bands and metal fabrication for the mounts, flags and flagpoles. People who wish to donate or purchase bricks may call Dotson at 904-3033.
 “We would like donations quickly to ensure the project will be completed by 9-11,” Dotson said. “We realize money is tight but appreciate the small donations from a lot of people.”
Dotson thanked Sheriff Robert F. Arnold for allowing the committee to plan the memorial, Ours and driver David Judy of Tennessee Steel Haulers, a veteran who donated his time to deliver the artifact.
“As Tennesseans, we are known as the ‘Volunteer State’ and we’ve always stepped up to the plate to help others in time of need,” Dotson said. “The sheriff’s office and the citizens on the committee are remembering the sacrifices and losses of 9-11.”
Dotson asked citizens to volunteer to help with the project. He believes the monument will be enjoyed by school students and future generations.
“Please take a moment and consider yourself a Tennessean to volunteer and help with this project,” Dotson said. “We are eternally grateful for all those who lost their lives defending our freedom.”