ROCKFORD - This upcoming September 11th marks the 15 year anniversary of the tragic day where lives were lost in an attack on our country.
First responders from all over were the first on the scene, and one memorial here in Rockford is doing it's best to honor those who have served our country.
Crews put the final touches on the Winnebago County 9/11 Emergency Responders Memorial.
A final dedication will be held this Sunday.
Memorial board president Will Pederson, a firefighter himself, says he's spent the past 6 and a half years waiting for that big day.
"Extremely excited for Sunday to come,” said Will Pederson, the President of the Memorial Board of Directors. “It's obviously a historical sad moment, but I think we've turned it into something that's beautiful, awesome, something to be excited for, I think the community is going to be very excited to see it finally done."
This year marks the fifteen year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers.
Thousands lost their lives on that tragic day.
The memorial stands to honor all of them, and to give special recognition to our local emergency response community.
"The fact that we can have something locally that we can share with the younger generations and have them have a basic understanding of how powerful that day was,” said Pederson. “That's what this memorial can represent to them."
The memorial will include three bronze statues, along with commemorative plaques for individuals from our community who've made the ultimate sacrifice.
"We need to always remember that because there's very few jobs that you go out and lay your life on the line," said Alanna Conard, the Secretary of the Memorial Board of Directors.
The final message they have for the public: Always remember, and never forget.
"Let's be real about that. Let's be honest that we actually are going to follow through with that,” said Pederson. “So here we are, fifteen years later, saying we will always remember, never forget. So, we have to keep our promise. We've got to keep it real to the people who gave their lives on that day."
The unveiling will happen this Sunday, September 11th, at the southeast corner of the Winnebago County Justice Center at 650 W. State Street.
They are also still accepting donations. For more information on that, head on over to their website at http://win911.org/support.asp.