The
Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance in KeySpan Park stands as a graceful and beautiful
tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th, 2001. A 30 x
12 foot granite wall, the Coney Island memorial contains the laser-engraved
images of 137 firefighters, 11 NYC Police Officers and 7 Port Authority
Officers.
Touched by the magnitude of their sacrifice, Brooklyn-born and raised Sol Moglen
conceived of the idea for a memorial commemorating the loss of Brooklyn
Firefighters. He also recognized the particular despair of those families whose
loved ones were never found. The Wall of Remembrance gives them a place to come
to, where the Lost are honored and recognized. It is the images of the Lost
which speak so eloquently, reminding us these are real people behind the names
and numbers of September 11.
On
the Wall, their portraits form a powerful, unforgettable testament to their
courage. Shortly after September 11th, Sol Moglen presented his idea of a
memorial wall to FDNY Chaplain Rabbi Joseph Potasnik , Over a third of the
firefighters lost that day were from Brooklyn, and Brooklyn should honor them,
he said. The Rabbi and many others agreed.
Peter Kasten of New Hyde Park, L.I.-based U.S. Bronze Sign Co. along with Sol
Moglen worked together to come up with the original design for the wall and what
it would encompass. Everyone involved agreed that the images would be placed on
the wall according to their companies. "They went in as a team, and we kept them
as a team," said Moglen. Sol, along with Peter Kastan and dozens of
other volunteers, began raising more than $140,000 needed for the wall.
The project has special meaning for Kasten. "Firefighter Chris Pickford, who was
killed on Sept. 11, was Kasten's best friend when he was growing up.
U.S.
Bronze sculptor Jamie Lester sculpted the 6 foot high bronze relief of 2
firefighters holding the helmet of a lost firefighter. The sculpture forms the
visual heart of the Wall, fully capturing the pain and the fortitude of the men.
The Wall elicited an immediate and heartfelt response from everyone- Although
initially conceived to honor those firefighters who worked in Brooklyn, people
found the memorial so moving and powerful that plans were made to expand it. On
November 16, 2003 the Foundation added firefighters who were born in Brooklyn,
as well as NYPD and Port Authority officers. Today the Wall pays tribute to 137
firefighters, 11 NYC Police Officers and 7 Port Authority Officers from
Brooklyn. The Wall is publicly accessible and is illuminated every evening until 11 p.m. all year round.
No reservations or special admission is needed and there is no cost to visit.
KeySpan Park is the perfect setting for the Wall of Remembrance, Coney Island is a historic and beloved site along the ocean. Families come here for comfort, not for grief. To hear the sound of children laughing, feel the sun’s warmth and listen to the quiet voice of the ocean. The plans today are to expand the Wall again- this time to include all of the heroic firefighters, police and Port Authority officers who gave their lives on September 11th. It is a tribute to Sol Moglen’s vision and dedication that the Wall of Remembrance has become recognized as a truly fitting and meaningful memorial to these men and women.
The
Ebbets Field Wall of Remembrance Foundation thanks the following partial list of
people and organizations for the support, commitments and dedication to the
memorial:
|
Supporters of the Wall:
Governor George Pataki |
Founder: Sol Moglen
Board of
Directors:
|