'Freedom Isn't Free' 9-11 Memorial -- Naperville (IL) Riverwalk May 2011

nobody@flickr.com (Ron Cogswell) — Sun, 29 May 2011 20:23:04 -0700

At the center of the Memorial pictured above, a sculpture designed by Michigan artist Bill Cooper integrates 100 pounds of rubble from the damaged portion of the Pentagon, a twisted steel beam from the World Trade Center and granite from the Pennsylvania region where Flight 93 crashed after passengers took on the hijackers.

Incised into the sculpture are an outline of Commander Dan Shanower's boot print, the insignias of New York area rescue workers, and the number "93," in memory of the Pennsylvania crash victims.

The Memorial takes its theme from an article written by Commander Shanower entitled 'Freedom Isn't Free'.

In it, Shanower wrote: "Those of us in the military are expected to make the ultimate sacrifice when called. The military loses scores of personnel each year. Each one risked and lost his or her life in something they believed in, leaving behind friends, family and shipmates to bear the burden and celebrate their devotion to our country...Freedom isn't free".

The Memorial plaza is surrounded by a perennial garden. The site is along the Naperville Riverwalk on the banks of the west branch of the DuPage River and adjacent to the city's Municipal Center.

Image by Ron Cogswell on May 20, 2011, using a Pentax Optio A10 and minor Photoshop effects. IMGP6994

'Freedom Isn't Free' 9-11 Memorial to Navy Commander Dan Shanower -- Naperville (IL) Riverwalk May 2011

nobody@flickr.com (Ron Cogswell) — Sun, 29 May 2011 20:23:04 -0700

Ron Cogswell posted a photo:

Quoting from the plaque above, Commander Shanower grew up in Naperville (IL), and graduated from Naperville Central High School in 1979. He was killed at his post in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

The Memorial takes its theme from a 1997 article written by Commander Shanower entitled 'Freedom Isn't Free'.

In it, Shanower wrote: "Those of us in the military are expected to make the ultimate sacrifice when called. The military loses scores of personnel each year. Each one risked and lost his or her life in something they believed in, leaving behind friends, family and shipmates to bear the burden and celebrate their devotion to our country...Freedom isn't free."

Image by Ron Cogswell on May 20, 2011, using a Pentax Optio A10 and minor Photoshop effects. IMGP6974

Uploads from Ron Cogswell, tagged 911memorialfredomisntfree, with geodata

'Freedom Isn't Free' 9-11 Memorial -- Naperville (IL) Riverwalk May 2011

'Freedom Isn't Free' 9-11 Memorial to Navy Commander Dan Shanower -- Naperville (IL) Riverwalk May 2011