CNBNews

“When we first heard about your quest, we thought it would not be this year,” Mayor Theresa Branella said.

“I was very impressed with your amazing feat,” Councilwoman Julie McCleary said.

 “We thank you for taking upon yourself the gathering of the artifacts from three different sites, working diligently and asking for nothing from the town,” part of the presentation declared.

“It was your love and determination that made the monument possible,” said Mayor Branella, as she presented him with the picture book filled with pictures of the making of the monument.

After accepting the presentation with a gracious “thank you,” Captain Saymon asked the governing body to line up to accept a presentation on behalf himself and of all the  Monument committee and volunteers who made “this most unique memorial in the world” possible.

He presented each Council member, the borough clerk and the borough solicitor with a plaque hold ing three portions of the tragedies that occurred in New York, the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field on 9/11.

  Members of the construction crew, Jeff Little and Harold Grant, also presented copies of pictures of the memorial to Mayor and Council, followed by the giving of a “Challenge Coin,” a special commemorative coin.

  “This custom started in WWI in the Army Air Corps. A lot of wealthy, well-educated people enlisted at that time and one made the coins to be given to his comrades, most of whom wore the coin in a pouch around their neck,” Saymon said.

  “One pilot was shot down, escaped from the enemy and eventually was captured by the French Resistance, who saw the coin that he wore in a pouch and returned him back to the Americans,” he said.

  Saymon also received an honorary title as a Kentucky Colonel from Governor Steve Beshar of Kentucky, as presented by “Colonel” Jeff Little.

  The Brooklawn Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on December 3. Councilman Mike Mevoli asked for Council volunteers to deliver flyers for the event to school and the residents.