Grapevine, Texas – We have not forgotten and twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, Grapevine’s 9/11 Memorial stands as a lasting tribute to those who lost their lives and to the courage of those who served and protected others on that day.
Dedicated on July 4, 2008, the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial at 1000 Texan Trail, honors the 33 flight crew
members and their passengers who lost their lives on 9/11. It was created to recognize their valor, commitment
and dedication. The memorial is part of a larger tribute at Memorial Park that honors the heroic actions of 9/11
emergency personnel, including firefighters and police officers, who ran toward danger to save others on that
day. In addition to the flight crews, the Memorial now includes a statue for the firefighters and a statue for the
police officers.
The memorial’s symbolism
The flight crews were among the first people directly confronted by the attacks, carrying out their responsibilities to care for and protect passengers as the unimaginable unfolded around them. The bronze memorial features two pilots, two flight attendants and a child standing together around a globe, symbolizing the worldwide reach of the airline industry and the teamwork at the heart of every flight.
The captain stands with one hand over the globe to indicate his responsibility to his passenger and crew. The
first officer has a hand pointing to the western horizon, the final intended destination for all four flights. A child, clutching a teddy bear, represents the traveling public, as a male flight attendant drapes a reassuring blanket over her shoulders, showing a commitment to passenger care and service. The female flight attendant raises her hand, palm forward, representing safety as a first priority. Two eagles in flight represent American Airlines and United Airlines, whose crew members and passengers perished aboard Flights 11 and 77 and Flights 175 and 93.
Together, the figures represent courage, service, teamwork and sacrifice – and a reminder of the people who went to work that morning and never came home.
The history of the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial
Shortly after September 11, 2001, American Airlines flight attendant Valerie Thompson formed the 9/11 Flight
Crew Memorial Foundation to create this lasting tribute. The memorial was designed by Bryce Cameron Liston
as a maquette and turned into one-and-a-half-times life-size by Valerie’s husband, Dean Thompson. It came to
fruition with the support of a cadre of volunteers, the Foundation’s Board of Directors and the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau. More than $1 million was raised to realize Valerie’s desire to create a place to
honor the courage, commitment and dedication of the flight crews who were lost and those who continue to fly
today.
“It’s especially meaningful in Grapevine, where thousands of aviation professionals live and work, and where DFW International Airport is an integral part of the destination’s identity,” said Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Paul W. McCallum.
The memorial stands near the flight path of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the world’s third-busiest
airport by passenger traffic, and can be seen by passengers flying in and out of DFW.
While the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial honors those who were aboard the four hijacked flights, the two memorials that stand alongside it honor the men and women who responded on the ground. Together, the three memorials tell the story of September 11 from the air to the ground - remembering those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.
The Firefighter and Police Officer Memorials
The 343 Never Forget Firefighter’s Memorial was dedicated on September 11, 2013, at the site of the Flight Crew Memorial to honor the 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives while responding to the September 11 attacks. These men and women answered the call and ran toward the danger as others were trying to escape.
The Police Officer’s Memorial was added October 22, 2015, to honor the 71 NYPD and Port Authority Police
officers and one rescue dog, Sirius, who also lost their lives in the attacks. They responded, knowing the danger
was immense and continued forward to save lives.
Hundreds of firefighters, police officers, K9s and other responders who worked at the crash sites in the days and months that followed have also died from illnesses linked to their exposure to toxic dust and debris.
The selfless service and actions of these heroes continue to be remembered, not only in the names and sculptures at the memorial, but in the lives they saved and the generations of first responders who continue to answer the call.
25 Year Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony
When: Friday, September 11 starting at 7:30 a.m.
Where: 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial at 1000 Texan Trail, Grapevine
Parking: On-site parking may be limited, plan to arrive early or stream live @CityOfGrapevine FB
Immediately following the ceremony, uniformed Grapevine Fire and Police Departments, as well as uniformed first responders from multiple agencies, will take part in the MARCH 455, a 1.3-mile march through Grapevine in honor of the 455 firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.
MARCH 455 will start immediately after the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Flight Crew Memorial and will end at Peace Plaza.
Never Forget.
