Wall memorializes 9-11 victims

SIKESTON - It was the day the world forever changed.

When the World Trade Center collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001, an estimated 2,794 adults perished, leaving behind approximately 2,500 children.

All over the world people watched television in horror, seeing play by play what was happening. And now, glancing over the endless list of those lost lives brings what happened that day to the surface.

Whether you lost a loved one or not, there are few individuals who weren't affected. Now residents in Sikeston and the surrounding area have a chance to honor the victims of 9-11 through a special memorial program and tribute in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Nunnelee Funeral Chapel has joined other funeral homes to provide a 10-foot tall and 24-foot wide Memorial Wall which will bear the names of all 3,044 known victims who died at the Pentagon, World Trade Center and on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

"Those of us in the Keystone group of funeral homes wanted to have some sort of memorial service and we all felt this would be perfect for the 9-11 anniversary," said Tom Nunnelee.

"We are providing this memorial wall and our community is responding in a very positive way to assist us with the construction of the wall and a way to make it movable throughout Sikeston over a 10-day period. The memorial to the victims and their loved ones of the attack on America gives our community a way to honor and contribute to a worthwhile cause in New York and do something to aid the fire and police officers locally."

"This memorial is a tribute to those lives lost and to their families and friends," added Mark McMillion of Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. "We wanted to be able to mark the anniversary of this tragedy and provide a way for Sikeston to commemorate and honor the victims and appropriately express our grief for the loss of those directly impacted on 9-11."

Currently, organizers are asking for organizations, groups, businesses, companies and individuals to support the endeavor by helping in various ways such as by making donations, helping man the wall and assisting with a balloon launch to symbolize each of the known victims. The balloons will be released every hour for 10 hours a day in front of the Memorial Wall until all 3,044 have been released.

Half of the donations will be sent to the New York University Child Study Center which has established a foundation and is working with children who were directly impacted by the attacks. These include children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, those displaced when their homes or schools were damaged or destroyed and those children who lost parents, relatives and loved ones in the attack. An estimated 8,000 youths were evacuated from New York City schools and were taken to unknown destinations and delayed from reunions with their families.

The other half of the donations will remain in Sikeston to assist the Sikeston Department of Public Safety's police and fire divisions.

"Plans are being made by a committee of volunteers representing the American Legion Post, Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, VFW Post, Veterans Park Committee and other organizations," remarked Scott Riley of Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

Already various individuals have stepped up to help, like Larry James of AG Mart who volunteered to make a trailer to be used to move the wall and Ted Martin who through Cannedy Signs will help make the wall displayable. Nurseries and florists have agreed to donate lattice work and scenery as well as helium for the balloons, while the American Legion has said it will donate flags.

"From the whole group we really thank you for building this trailer," Shad Old told James at a recent organizational meeting. "It was going to be a big job to haul this thing all over town and we were a little worried about it. And when you're talking about manpower as far as moving the wall from one position to another, that would be a great idea for a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop to take it one time, pick it up, move it, realign it and set it back up and another troop take it the next time," he suggested to Rick Oetting who was representing the Boy Scouts.

"That's why I'm here," Oetting replied, ready to help, "to see what your needs are and see what the schedule is." "I'm excited about the opportunity to work with this," added Terry Bryant who is helping with the wall's construction. "As I had time to think about how we can construct this wall and make it something we can all be proud of it got more exciting."

"I commend everybody that's been working on this," said Nunnelee. "I think it's important to note that if this thing works like they're describing it with support and the donations and the people and things, this will probably be the best wall in America on Sept. 11 as far as I'm concerned."

The Memorial Wall will first be displayed on the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel property for several days beginning Sept. 3. The wall will later be moved to other locations in the community and at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Field House the public is encouraged to attend a remembrance service.

"When you see the names on this wall you need to remember that these people didn't do anything other than what we did this morning, they got up and went to work," pointed out McMillion.

For more information on assisting with the effort, call 471-2242.