Sat, Jul 05, 2008
July 4th Ceremony Remembers 9/11 Flight Crews
The city of Grapevine, TX remembered the 33 flight crew members
lost on September 11, 2001 in a moving dedication ceremony Friday
morning. The first significant national 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial
was dedicated at 1000 Texan Trail by Mayor William D. Tate; Valerie
Thompson, an American Airlines Flight Attendant; members of the
aviation community and friends and families of those lost on
9/11.
The $1 million public monument and plaza stands one-and-one-half
life sizes and sits atop Texas limestone and was the vision of
Valerie Thompson, an American Airlines flight attendant and founder
of the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation. Over six years in the
making, the bronze statue stands 18 feet tall, 15 wide and 20 feet
deep.
The 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial is named "Valor Commitment
Dedication" -- after the three characteristics exhibited by the
flight crews who lost their lives on 9/11, and by those who
continue to fly. The suburb of Dallas and Fort Worth lies
immediately north of DFW International Airport, home base for
American Airlines crewmembers lost in the attack.
The Memorial was designed by Bryce Cameron Liston and was
hand-crafted by Valerie’s husband, Dean Thompson. The statue
has been developed around a stone column supporting a large globe;
the crew members are positioned back-to-back indicating their
spirit of teamwork. The Captain and female Flight Attendant are
wearing the American Airlines uniform of 2001 and the First Officer
and male Flight Attendant are wearing the United Airlines uniform
of 2001.
Each figure on the Memorial has significant meaning that was
incorporated into the design to represent the events of 9/11, the
character of those lost, and the future of air travel.
- Two Eagles: The two eagles in flight represent
American and United Airlines whose flight crews were lost.
- Captain: Standing with one hand over the globe
to indicate how the airline industry covers the world and to
exemplify that his responsibility is the safety of travelers
everywhere. The Captain’s right hand is a symbol of his
support for his fellow crewmembers.
- First Officer: Seated next to the captain on
the right with an emergency manual, the co-pilot’s outreached
hand points to the western horizon, the final intended destination
for all four flights.
- Female Flight Attendant: Standing in a
protected position indicative of her role as a safety professional.
She portrays the added responsibility of protecting her passengers
and crew during and post 9/11.
- Male Flight Attendant: Stands draping a
blanket around the small child. His duties show a commitment to
passenger care and service.
- Child: A representation of the traveling
public.
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