Back in June 2002, CBS Channel 2 News was at the site of the future Commander Dan Shanower September 11 Memorial to interview Congresswoman JUDY BIGGERT, Naperville resident CHUCK JOHANNS and Mayor GEORGE PRADEL when limestone remnants from the Pentagon arrived from Washington, D.C. for the “Lean on Us” sculpture by artist Bill Cooper.
Other artifacts used in the memorial were a beam from the World Trade Center and granite from the Pennsylvania region where Flight 93 crashed after passengers rose against the hijackers.
Johanns served as Co-chair of the Naperville 9/11 Shanower Memorial Commission that built the memorial with private dollars. The memorial was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2003, as part of the Century Walk Public Art Collection.
The Commander Dan Shanower September 11 Memorial is pictured earlier in September 2026.
Never forget. Freedom isn’t free.
In Naperville, the annual observance again will take place at the Commander Dan Shanower September 11 Memorial beginning at 4:45PM with music by the Naperville Municipal Band, followed with remembrances at 5PM.
Naperville September 11 Observance is set to begin with music at 4:45PM
