Yanceyville NC 9-11 Memorial

 By Debra Ferrell

The Caswell Messenger Editor 14 September 2023

It was an emotional day for many on Monday, September 11, as the Town of Yanceyville held the long awaited dedication service for the 9-11 Memorial that features a portion of a steel girder from Tower Two of the World Trade Center following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2011. Many eyes filled with tears as Mayor Alvin Foster welcomed the crowd for this "solemn remembrance of what the memorial means."

DH Griffin donated the core beam from salvage work the company performed on the Twin Towers. Senator Phil Berger, President Pro Tem NC State Senate, says he knew from the start that he wanted to help with the project to create this unique memorial in Yanceyville that is the third component of special memorials that includes monuments to veterans and fallen public service members. Those two monuments are directly in from of the Yanceyville Municipal Building. The 9-11 monument is across from them right next to Fidelity Bank.

Yanceyville council member Keith Tatum was relentless in pursuing funding for the project.

Interesting facts:

The beam weighs around 3,100 pounds per square foot.

The memorial is built upon the site of the old Ford building that DH Griffin demolished for the Town starting that relationship.

Mayor Foster pointed out that the memorial is part of the town's economic development that adds to the appeal of the area and promotes livability.

"The memorial reminds us of the attack on the United States by terrorists 22 years ago. Thousands have died whether from the attack itself or from the War on Terror that followed. Thousands still suffer from physical or mental ailments," said the mayor.

He asked the crowd if they remembered what they were doing on the day of the attack. "When the first tower was hit, we thought it was accidental. Minutes later when the second tower was hit, that illusion was shattered. Then came the flight crashing and the attack on the Pentagon."

VFW Post 7316 and American Legion Post 89 posted colors with Naomi Totten singing the National Anthem. Prayer was rendered by Rev. Paul Robinson.

Sen. Berger shared how his first idea of what the memorial would look didn't compare to the actual beauty of the beam and its setting. "I’m blown away with the design," he said as he complimented the landscape and visionary leadership that led to its creation. He pointed out that everyone was there to remember the lives lost and commended our country for demonstrating the resolve to stand against oppression.

"This is a piece of history whose purpose here is to signify strength and remind us of one of our darkest days. It will stand as a reminder to all of us. When I heard about it, I immediately went to work looking for funding."

Former Senator Hugh Webster was approached and said yes to showing strong support for Caswell County to acquire this coveted beam.

Following a ribbon cutting, everyone was invited next door at the Richmond-Miles History Museum where the Caswell County Historical Association hosted refreshments supplied by the Town of Yanceyville.