Freedom Park Memorial Tower Dedication on 9/11
Katy, TX News (September 8, 2015) – Fort Bend County, the Katy Rotary Club, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9182 will dedicate the Freedom Park Memorial Tower on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 10:00 am at the Fort Bend County Freedom Park fields on the south side of Westheimer Parkway, just east of Fry Road with music by the Katy High School Band beginning at 9:30 AM.
The purpose of the Freedom Park Memorial Tower is to honor the women and men who have served our county in the five
branches of our Military Services: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, as well as those who died on
September 11, 2001.
Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers commented, “We have looked forward to this day, to celebrate with the Katy Rotary Club, Katy Rotary Fund, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, their service and work, on behalf of our community and our nation. They have spent many years in the planning and now completion of the Freedom Park Memorial Tower.”
Ken Burton, VFW State Judge Advocate, and Katy Rotary Club member said, “On behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Katy VFW Post 9182 we built this tower dedicated to the men and women who have served and will serve our Country. In the years to come, many will come here and remember why we built this tower.”
Nick Schrader, Katy Rotary Club President, remarked, “Our Rotary Club has been in the lead for this project since 2011 and we are so pleased to have helped create this memorial for those who served our country. We remember the 9/11 attack on our Country.”
Rhonda Walls, Master of Ceremonies and Katy Rotary Club member, invited the public, “Please join us, together with Col. Rich Pannell, Division Commander Galveston District USACE, Commissioner Andy Meyers, Katy Mayor Fabol Hughes, State and local representatives of the VFW, Katy High School Band, educators, students, and our honored guests, for this wonderful celebration of our heroes. We will also be honoring our friends, sponsors and all the people who made this possible.”
Memorial Pavers to identify your family with this memorial may be purchased on the Katy Rotary Club website, from any Rotarian, and at the park on September 11.”
David Frishman concluded, “For decades to come, as people pass this tower, we hope parents tell their children, “This tower is to honor the women and men who have served our nation, and those who died on September 11, 2001. We will never forget.”
Attached are photos of the Freedom Park Memorial Tower under construction. Pictured from left to right:
1. Ken Burton, Commissioner Andy Meyers, Jeff Pantle, and David Frishman
2. Stainless steel star, hand-crafted by David Baker, as it was being raised to the top of the tower on Tuesday, August 25.
Artifacts within the base of the tower include; the Holy Bible, an American flag pin, items from the three 9/11 crash sites, U.S. Army Purple Heart medal, Fort Bend County flag, VFW roster, Katy Rotary Club roster, and other artifacts donated by our partners and our community.
The dedication will include; Presentation of Colors by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, a Helicopter Fly-Over, courtesy of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department, Laying of Wreaths, Taps and 21 Gun Salute.
