Wall of Remembrance joins Bucks memorial

For nearly five years, the Garden of Reflection has been a quiet, reverential place to remember Sept. 11, 2001, and the victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Fragments from the devastated towers, the names of all 2,973 victims etched in glass, and twin fountains representing the spirits of those lost serve as powerful tributes.

But since its dedication, the memorial and its pastoral setting in lower Bucks County have not made it easy for relatives, friends, and visitors to leave a message or a memento - until now.

At 10 a.m. Saturday in Lower Makefield, the state's official Sept. 11 memorial will unveil its Wall of Remembrance - a simple white, wooden bulletin board for visitors to write messages, post photos, and hang ribbons and stuffed animals.

Waterproof markers and staplers will be provided, so the biggest concern is that the three-sided, eight-foot wall will get covered with inscriptions and tokens before visitors fill the garden for next weekend's Sept. 11 events, program director Valerie Mihalek says.

"We're going to encourage people to write small," she says, laughing.

At the dedication in 2006, "family members brought photos, and they hung them on trees," Mihalek says. "There were thousands of people, and they wanted to leave messages. They hung them on railings."

That's when Mihalek, who was teaching her first-grade class when the towers toppled, came up with the idea for a Wall of Remembrance. The 10th anniversary of the attacks would be the perfect time to unveil it, she decided.

Andrew Cerasi, a worker at nearby Shady Brook Farms, designed and built the wall after meeting with members of the garden's committee. He was inspired by the message-and photo-covered walls surrounding ground zero, and similar memorials that sprung up at the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., after the attacks.

"They evoked a feeling of freedom to express yourself," Cerasi says.

He built and painted the wall in a week, choosing the triangular shape "because it means strength to me." It will stand in the Oak Garden, with a view of the twin fountains shooting toward the heavens.

The wall may stay in the garden for a few weeks after the anniversary, Mihalek says, and then be taken to schools and visitor centers around the county - if there's still space for postings.

And what if the wall is covered before next weekend?

In that case, Cerasi says, he'll build a second Wall of Remembrance.

More than 50 of the 2,973 victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were from the Philadelphia area. Seventeen of the dead were from Bucks County, making it the hardest-hit county in Pennsylvania.

Relatives of Sept. 11 victims planned the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield, home to eight of the victims, and helped raise $1.5 million to build it.

Saturday's unveiling of the Wall of Remembrance at

10 a.m. marks the beginning of events commemorating the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

Ride of Reflection Motorycle Ride

 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10

Ride from Brian's Harley-Davidson in Langhorne to the garden. Will include about 65 Warriors Watch Riders. $25 registration fee ($15 for passengers) includes T-shirt and patch.

Candlelight vigil

 7:30 p.m. Saturday,

Sept. 10

Lighting of 2,973 candles to show that the victims are never alone.

10th Anniversary

Memorial Service

Ceremony will begin at 8:46 a.m. with the ringing of a fire bell marking the chronological events of the attacks. Interfaith prayers will be offered after each moment is remembered.

Tribute flag will be lowered to half-staff and Bucks County residents' names will be read while a flower is placed.

Speakers will include state Lt. Gov. James Cawley, a Bucks native, and radio host and Inquirer columnist Michael Smerconish.

Presentation of memorial wreath honoring all 2,973 victims will conclude the ceremony about 10:10 a.m.

Flowers will be available for visitors to place in remembrance.

Location: The memorial, at 1950 Woodside Rd., Lower Makefield, is open throughout the day and into the evening. On Sept. 11, visitors are urged to arrive by 8 a.m. to see the opening ceremony, because traffic will be stopped at 8:20.

Admission: Free. Commemorative polo and T-shirts are being sold for $18 and $28 at Shady Brook Farm, McCaffrey's Markets, and Jammer Doors, and by calling 1-800-717-7174. Donations can be mailed to Garden of Reflection, 1100 Edgewood Rd., Yardley, Pa. 19067.

Information: www.9-11memorialgarden.org

- Bill Reed

SOURCE: www.9-11memorialgarden.org EndText

See Garden of Reflection program manager Valerie Mihalek discussing the new Wall of Remembrance at www.philly.com/wallEndText