Twenty-two people from Prince William County, Virginia were killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks. Yesterday a memorial was dedicated in their honor.

The Liberty Memorial, Prince William County, Virginia

 

From the American Forces Information Services

It took four years and many donors to fund and build the Liberty Memorial, which sits near the McCoart Administration Building here as a stark reminder of the tragedy of that day. The county is about 20 miles south of the Pentagon and is home to many servicemembers and civilians who work in defense facilities in the area.

“9/11 was a day that changed everything,” Sean T. Connaughton, chairman of the county’s board of supervisors, said at the dedication ceremony. “We started the day at peace & and within the span of one hour that morning, every American’s life was touched in some way.”

“We do this because we are a community; we do this because we recognize that the honored memory of these fine people is a source of strength,” he said.

The memorial was planned by the Prince William County Liberty Memorial Committee, which includes family members of people killed on Sept. 11. One family member, Laurie Laychak, said the memorial accomplishes its goals of honoring those who died, comforting the families that live on, and teaching future generations about the values of those who inspired and built it.

Laychak, who lost her husband, David, an Army budget analyst, at the Pentagon, said the memorial is a fitting tribute to those who died, specifically her husband, who believed in freedom and patriotism.

“Though lost to us in this mortal life, some part of them will live on as long as this memorial endures,” she said. “When I see David’s name inscribed in the granite, I remember the patriot who was my husband - hand over heart, eyes welling with tears whenever he heard the national anthem.”

Laychak said that if her husband were alive today, he would say the American people cannot let small differences divide them, and that regardless of the price, the fight for freedom must continue.

The names inscribed on the memorial are:

          

  • Retired Sgt. 1st Class John J. Chada, USA;
  • SK3 Jamie L. Fallon, USN;
  • Amelia V. Fields;
  • Retired Lt. Col. Robert J. Hymel, USAF;
  • Sgt. Maj. Lacey B. Ivory, USA;
  • Judith L. Jones;
  • David W. Laychak;
  • James T. Lynch Jr.;
  • Gene E. Maloy;
  • Robert J. Maxwell;
  • Molly L. McKenzie;
  • Craig J. Miller;
  • Diana B. Padro;
  • Rhonda S. Rasmussen;
  • Edward V. Rowenhorst;
  • Judy Rowlett;
  • Donald D. Simmons;
  • Jeff L. Simpson;
  • Cheryle D. Sincock;
  • ITC Gregg H. Smallwood, USN;
  • Sgt. Maj. Larry L. Strickland, USA; and
  • Sandra L. White.

Never forget.

h/t to Michelle Malkin; Left-wing Hate

Riehl World View has a very interesting piece on the World Trade Center Site and some of the issues involved with getting a memorial built there. I found this article interesting in a number of ways. One of the most interesting facts pointed out in this article is that they have had some difficulty raising the funds to complete a project there. I feel a rant coming on about that!

linked to Third World County; TMH’s Bacon Bits; Adam’s Blog; Uncooperative Blogger; Is It Just Me?; Cao’s Blog; Woman Honor Thyself; Leaning Straight Up; Basil’s Blog; Argghhh!; Mudville Gazette