October 06, 2007 - National Fire Academy "To Lift A Nation" Monument. **ALL PHOTOS IN THIS GALLERY WERE TAKEN BY CAPTAIN RON PETRILLO FROM THE CITY OF PALM COAST, FLORIDA FIRE RESCUE** Thank you Brother!
On the afternoon of September 11, 2001, Bergen Record photographer Thomas E. Franklin captured an unforgettable image of hope - three firefighters raising the American flag. Standing defiantly against the gray and white landscape of devastation, these three dust-covered men and the vivid red, white and blue of Old Glory instantly became a symbol of hope and American patriotism. To Lift A Nation, created by sculptor Stan Watts, is the focal point of the 9/11 National Memorial on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Three bronze firefighters, standing three times life-size, raise the American flag in honor of all of the firefighters lost on 9/11 and as a symbol of hope to those left behind.
The statute is owned by the National Firefighters Foundation, and is now on loan to the USFA, FEMA and DHS. There has been no federal money used to support or construct this monument. It is the result of an exciting relationship between the artist, the foundation and several corporate sponsors, and that we have the opportunity presented to the USFA by the Foundation Board of Directors by allowing it to be displayed here at the NETC. There is a national unveiling scheduled for November 05, 2007, and more details will be coming from the foundation. We are honored the USFA has this opportunity to display this monument.
TO LIFT A NATION MONUMENT
AT - A - GLANCE
The "To Lift a Nation" monument is a three-times life-size bronze sculpture of the world famous photo taken of three firefighters raising the American flag at ground zero, September 11, 2001
The purpose of the "To Lift a Nation" monument is to honor the American flag as a symbol of freedom and strength of the unconquerable American spirit. It will also stand as a memorial for those whose lives were taken by acts of terror on September 11, 2001.
The sculptor is 40 feet high, 6 feet deep and 8 feet wide. Each of the three firefighters statues weigh approximately 5,000 pounds and was formed from approximately 160 bronze sections weighing between 60-80 pounds each. After welding the statues and flag pole to its base, the monument will weigh than 17,000 pounds.
Well know sculptor, Stan Watts, owner of Atlas Bronze Casting in Kearns, Utah, created the monument. Construction began on May 2007 with the sculpting of the clay firefighter statues.
The entire cost of the colossal sculpture including a maintenance fund was underwritten by an anonymous donor and several benefactors donated raw materials for its creation.
The monument will be formally dedicated Monday, November 05, 2007 with the ceremony at the monument here in Emmitsburg, MD.
On the afternoon of September 11, 2001, Bergen Record photographer Thomas E. Franklin captured an unforgettable image of hope - three firefighters raising the American flag. Standing defiantly against the gray and white landscape of devastation, these three dust-covered men and the vivid red, white and blue of Old Glory instantly became a symbol of hope and American patriotism. To Lift A Nation, created by sculptor Stan Watts, is the focal point of the 9/11 National Memorial on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Three bronze firefighters, standing three times life-size, raise the American flag in honor of all of the firefighters lost on 9/11 and as a symbol of hope to those left behind.
The statute is owned by the National Firefighters Foundation, and is now on loan to the USFA, FEMA and DHS. There has been no federal money used to support or construct this monument. It is the result of an exciting relationship between the artist, the foundation and several corporate sponsors, and that we have the opportunity presented to the USFA by the Foundation Board of Directors by allowing it to be displayed here at the NETC. There is a national unveiling scheduled for November 05, 2007, and more details will be coming from the foundation. We are honored the USFA has this opportunity to display this monument.
TO LIFT A NATION MONUMENT
AT - A - GLANCE
The "To Lift a Nation" monument is a three-times life-size bronze sculpture of the world famous photo taken of three firefighters raising the American flag at ground zero, September 11, 2001
The purpose of the "To Lift a Nation" monument is to honor the American flag as a symbol of freedom and strength of the unconquerable American spirit. It will also stand as a memorial for those whose lives were taken by acts of terror on September 11, 2001.
The sculptor is 40 feet high, 6 feet deep and 8 feet wide. Each of the three firefighters statues weigh approximately 5,000 pounds and was formed from approximately 160 bronze sections weighing between 60-80 pounds each. After welding the statues and flag pole to its base, the monument will weigh than 17,000 pounds.
Well know sculptor, Stan Watts, owner of Atlas Bronze Casting in Kearns, Utah, created the monument. Construction began on May 2007 with the sculpting of the clay firefighter statues.
The entire cost of the colossal sculpture including a maintenance fund was underwritten by an anonymous donor and several benefactors donated raw materials for its creation.
The monument will be formally dedicated Monday, November 05, 2007 with the ceremony at the monument here in Emmitsburg, MD.