In an effort to memorialize those who perished as a result of the events of September 11, 2001, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi announced last fall a contest open to all county residents in which they could submit a design for a Nassau County 9/11 memorial to be built in Eisenhower Park. The county executive was joined by the families of the victims of September 11 and members of the 9/11 Memorial Project Committee on May 5 to announce the three finalists. Among them was Farmingdale Deputy Village Historian Daniel Looney, who designed a possible memorial site together with his colleague Kenneth Kunken and designer Anna Blazejczyk. The other two finalists were Keith Striga of Striga G.A. Architects and Frank Esposito.

About a year and a half ago, Looney came up with the idea for a memorial while just drawing some sketches as to what he felt would be an appropriate memorial to the victims of September 11. He and Kunken developed the idea with the help of Blazejczyk, a graphic design student at Nassau Community College, who designed the building's various layouts on computer.

According to Looney, Kunken and Blazejczyk, their Nassau County 9/11 memorial is first and foremost a memorial to the victims of September 11. Second, it is a tribute to the heroic efforts of so many residents and recognizes and incorporates all the events of September 11.

At the press conference, Looney made the presentation of the design, explaining that the structure would not only honor those who perished in New York on September 11, but also those in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon in Washington.

The features of the memorial include a pentagon base, whose shape was selected to be a tribute to those who perished at the Pentagon. It would be engraved with the following quote from President George Bush:

"Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."

Also included is the memorial wall, which would feature the names of the Nassau County residents who perished. The names would be prominently displayed on the V-shaped front of the pentagon base. A tower would be situated on top of the memorial wall. It would be an open frame structure, the exterior would be stainless steel or aluminum and would resemble the metal and design of the original towers.

Looney explained that directly in front of the memorial wall would be a large reflecting pool, flanked on both sides by two large fountains with waterfalls that flow into the reflecting pool. The two pools surrounding the fountains would be shaped like the footprints of Tower 1 and Tower 2, with waterfalls flowing from the fountain pools into the lower reflecting pool. The designers placed the required two steel girders near one of the fountain pools. As mentioned before, the pool symbolizes a Twin Tower footprint. The larger girder would rest at an angle across the shorter girder. The American, New York State, and Nassau County flags would proudly fly above the steel girders of the World Trade Center. The American flag would be in the center, with the New York State and Nassau County flags on each side of it. Locating the flags above the girders would evoke the same spirit that was seen in Francis Scott Key's Star Spangled Banner flying over Fort McHenry, the Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and the firefighters raising the flag amid the ruins at the World Trade Center.

Gardens would surround the entire site. Part of the garden area would be dedicated to those who perished in Pennsylvania. A gold American bald eagle would rise above a gold globe. The eagle would face the flags and steel girders. Looney explained that "the symbol of the American bald eagle dates back to the very beginnings of our country. It symbolizes the traits of our nation that became so evident on September 11 - courage, strength, and freedom, and how, in spite of our nation's great tragedy, the American spirit endured, rose from the destruction and ultimately prevailed."

To provide nighttime illumination, the tower, eagle, memorial wall, reflecting pool and fountains, as well as the flags and steep girders would be illuminated at night. "They memorialize with respect and dignity our Nassau County residents who perished on 9/11. They will also honor the heroic efforts of so many of our residents," Looney said.

In a description of their project, the designers noted that "the memorial will perfectly compliment the Veteran's Memorial located on the other side of Eisenhower Pond. Both honor the indomitable American spirit. The Nassau County 9/11 Memorial Project will be a stunning and moving symbol of that spirit, whether viewed from the steps of the Veteran's Memorial, the grass area by the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater, or the paths surrounding Eisenhower Pond."

Suozzi, together with members of the Memorial Project Committee, noted that it was a very difficult process to select only three finalists as so many individuals submitted great designs.

"We as a community of Nassau County will not forget what happened to us on September 11," Suozzi said. "Nassau County was very affected by the tragedy. What the county is trying to do is create a place that people can see, that is a physical monument and memorial. We're also creating a place where people can go and reflect in a beautiful park setting. I am so overwhelmed by the time, thought and care that went into the designs submitted by every applicant. When we announced the plans for the memorial design contest last year we asked those who submitted a design to incorporate two steel girders recovered from Ground Zero that we have here in county possession; water; direct or indirect light; and include the names of those victims from Nassau County who perished in the attacks. Each of the designs reflect a great deal of thought. It is my hope that this memorial will help people remember their loved ones and to make certain that the events of September 11 will never be forgotten."

Suozzi further noted that a final design is expected to be determined by Memorial Day and suggested that the three finalists may work together to try to determine one final design. The county has been engaged in a yearlong fundraising effort to raise money for the design and construction of the memorial. Anyone interested in making a donation may contact the Nassau County 9/11 Memorial Project, Nassau County Parks & Recreation, Administrative Building, Eisenhower Park, Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554. Telephone 572-0200 or e-mail NC911MemorialProject@hotmail.com. Suozzi noted that in an effort to not rush the project's completion, the construction is expected to be finished by September 11 of next year.