Above / American flags are now in place along the Naperville Riverwalk on the north side of the DuPage River, across from the Cmdr. Dan Shanower Sept. 11 Memorial. (NPD Photo)
Update, Sept. 11, 2021 / At the conclusion of the 20th anniversary remembrance early Saturday, one that included patriotic music and speeches, Exchangite Marty Walker expressed deep gratitude to everyone in attendance and to all individuals that had participated in the Sept. 11 Observance. On behalf of the Exchange Club of Naperville Americanism Committee, event organizer Walker also recognized the Naperville Park District for setting up the display of American Flags along the Riverwalk from Eagle Street toward the Civic Plaza at Webster Street, with even more thanks to all for remembering.
Previous Post, Sept. 10, 2021 / Naperville Park District set an American flag display along the Riverwalk, a beautiful sight from the Sept. 11 Memorial.
“On Monday I had an idea to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedy by doing a condensed version of our past Healing Fields event at Rotary Hill,” wrote Ray McGury, Executive Director of the Naperville Park District. “After I hit send, I paused and thought ‘that’s a REAL tall order for an understaffed parks department,’ so I spoke with Tom Stibbe on Monday who took time on his day off to dialogue with me about something we could do on a smaller scale.”
On Sept. 10, McGury sent photos of what “North Parks under Stibbe’s direction pulled together!”
McGury added, “Many thanks to Tom and his staff!”
PN extends its gratitude as well.
Coincidentally, while visiting the Cmdr. Dan Shanower Sept. 11 Memorial at 11:30 this morning, we wondered how all the flags ended up where they were. We, too, snapped a few photos.
Are you ready for this?
While standing near the “Freedom Isn’t Free” bench, we observed a woman who walked over to the memorial after seeing the flags along the brick path where she usually walks. She told us she’s been a resident for many years and had never noticed the Sept. 11 Memorial featuring the Century Walk art titled “Lean on US.” She thought it was new.
Inspired by Naperville native Naval Commander Dan Shanower who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon, the Sept. 11 Memorial was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2003.
Thanks to the American flags assembled by the park district crew, she happened to look across the DuPage River toward the Municipal Center. And now she plans to attend tomorrow’s observance at 8:30AM. So Stibbe and crew really made a difference.
Naperville Park District Photos by Tom Stibbe, Parks Operations Manager; courtesy of Ray McGury.
