Liberty Garden, a Place for Remembering

Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of what many consider the darkest time in our nation's history. It was Sep. 11, 2001, between 8 a.m. and 8:41 a.m., when terrorists hijacked four planes. The flights were as follows: 8:00 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11, 92 souls; 8:14 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175, 65 souls; 8:21 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77, 64 souls, and 8:41 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93, 44 souls.

Five minutes after the fourth flight departed, flight 11 crashed directly into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York. Before the 9 o'clock hour was over, the second and third flights also crashed—flight 175 into the south tower of the World Trade Center and flight 77 into the Pentagon. At 10:07, the fourth and final flight hijacked by terrorists crashed into a field southeast of Pittsburgh.

Later, we learned that some flight crew members and passengers learned of the three other hijacked planes through phone calls. Determined to stop their hijackers from completing their mission, several passengers and crew members attempted to storm the cockpit. After a struggle, the aircraft crashed into a field, thwarting the hijacker's plan and preventing the terrorists from reaching their intended target.

While we don't know the exact target, we know that one of the hijackers had reset the autopilot to head back toward Washington. Today, we know that the target could have been the White House, but many believe it was more likely the U.S. Capitol, where the Senate and House were in session. Later that day, some 150 members from the Senate and the House—both Republicans and Democrats—stood on the Capitol steps and sang, "God Bless America."

Most of us remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we first heard the news of the first plane that plowed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. We numbly carried on our tasks while listening to and watching the terror unfold as news of the other crashes came across the airwaves. Thousands of lives were lost that day. Since then, hundreds of first-responders have passed in the years afterward from illness and injury suffered while working selflessly to rescue their fellow man.

As a nation, we will never forget the enormous tragedy of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, the sacrifices made, and the lives lost. Around the country, there are thousands of 9-11 remembrance ceremonies every year. Many have erected memorials such as the Liberty Garden memorial here in Bossier City between the police and fire departments in the municipal complex.

About a month after the attacks, Diane Chandler, director of the Bossier City Clean City Committee, conceived the idea of having a memorial garden to honor those who died on 9-11. They broke ground precisely nine months after the attack with hopes of dedicating the memorial on the first anniversary of the attack. There were delays, including Chandler's death in Dec. of 2002. Dawna Barrera became the new director of the Clean City Committee and pledged to complete the project by August and formally dedicate the Liberty Garden on the second anniversary of 9-11.

The Liberty garden includes a reflection pool, iron benches designed like the American flag, etched granite panels, professional landscaping, and the Bossier City Seal. Janet Wells, an Arcadia native, designed the garden. In 2015, a unique new feature was added to the memorial garden; an artifact from ground zero. A 16-foot tall, 823-pound steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center was formally dedicated during Bossier City's 14th annual 9-11 remembrance ceremony. 

The Associated Press reported, "The 16-foot beam traveled by trailer from New York to the Municipal Complex in the city Tuesday. It was led by a processional of fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles and welcomed with a ceremony that included local officials and dignitaries. One of the fire engines had belonged to a fleet from a fire station in New Jersey and responded on Sept. 11, 2001."

Tom Lawson, Keep Bossier Beautiful president and local business owner, was instrumental in bringing the artifact to the city. He conceived the idea after being inspired by a memorial he saw in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2011, which consisted of twisted pieces of metal from the Twin Towers. Those involved in bringing the artifact to Bossier City included his son, Scott Lawson; Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington; Charles Cost of Calumet Specialty Products; and Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker.

Bossier City's Liberty Garden is a place of reflection and hope. It was built to remind us not only of the lives lost and the bravery of those who selflessly rushed into danger to rescue others. More importantly, it reminds us how great America is when we are united as a nation. Bossier City and Keep Bossier Beautiful hold an annual 9-11 remembrance ceremony at Liberty Garden located at the Municipal Complex between the Police and Fire Stations at 620 Benton Road, Bossier City.

To learn more about Bossier City memorials and their histories, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City. Can't come in, call 318-746-7717 or email history-center@bossierlibrary.org with your request. Follow us @BPLHistoryCenter on FB, @bplhistorycenter on Tiktok, and check out our blog, http://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/.

By: Amy Robertson