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Some say pride in America isn't what it used to be. In Gibsonburg, Ohio, we beg to differ. We welcome you to visit our small town in middle America, where American flags still gently wave in the breeze and locals wave to friends and strangers alike. Several years ago a local sculptor by the name of Jim Havens, a retired steel worker, had a vision. He knew that his ambitions were big and that it would take a community rallying together to pull it off. Jim formed a committee, partnered with the village of Gibsonburg and soon, the plans were in place to create a one of a kind memorial.
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It’s not just any memorial, but a memorial made from sacred steel that was recovered from the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. With the Help of Marc Glotzbecker and many other community leaders, 3 years of emails, phone calls and planning paid off. On September 11th, 2016, the Public Safety Services Memorial was dedicated as a tribute to the 9/11 tragedy, the victims who died on that frightful day and to our Nation's First Responders. Located in beautiful Williams Park, the memorial incorporates a 7000 pound piece of steel that came from the antenna of the North World Trade Center. This sacred piece of iron is artfully arranged in the memorial in a theme that incorporates all angles of the 9/11 tragedy. Visually, you will see the Pentagon and Flight 93 in addition to the Trade Centers influence on the artist’s design. While fundamentally it is a 9/11 memorial, it is designed to recognize and honor the dedication, service and sacrifices of Police, Fire, EMS and other Public Safety Services Personnel from everywhere who work to make their communities better places for everyone.
The Memorial is FREE to visit and is open dusk to dawn daily, year round. When visiting the memorial there are other interesting sculptures in Williams Park that were also made by the PSSM artist, Jim Havens. You can walk around the quarry trail and enjoy the many beautiful structures that we call Sculpture in the Village.