Community Corner

A Tolland Memorial for Sept. 11

Business owner Glenn Johnson said he will place his memorial by Route 195 each and every anniversary to mark the nation's tragic day.

For the majority of the year, cars rush by Glenn Johnson's autobody shop on Route 195, hurrying towards their destinations.

But Johnson, owner of , has given locals reason to pause.

On Monday afternoon, drivers pulled over into his parking lot and stepped out of their cars to ponder Johnson's tribute to the first responders and the victims who died on Sept. 11.

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Johnson said that he intially to ensure that Americans don't forget the tragedy that shocked the nation 11 years ago.

"It's good for people to remember that day. So many people lost their lives," he said.

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The tribute features a large central panel with before and after pictures of the towers and the outline of the World Trade Center imprinted behind the photographs. Horizontal panels are used to create the New York City skyline, an effect that is more visible when standing far away.

The end panels each have a designated focus. Johnson dedicated one to listing each victim’s name and photograph, which he hopes will help viewers visualize the true loss of life on that day.

The second panel focuses on the sacrifice of the first responders. Pictures show firefighters carrying out victims and raising the American flag.

Johnson said that the anniversary is also a potent reminder of the risks that firefighters and EMTs take every day, from New York City to Tolland.

"My heart goes out to the firefighters," he said. " You know that many of them went in those towers knowing that they wouldn't make it out."

Johnson said that he will leave the tribute up for another week after the Sept. 11 anniversary, giving many more people the opportunity to stop on their busy commute. To take time to park. To pause. And to reflect.


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