The Word is Out

The 9/11 Shrine is one of few visible on the mountain

Posted in In the Press by People's Press on December 20, 2011

Article by David Wood, author Sanctuaries in the Snow — The Shrines and Memorials of Aspen/Snowmass.

The 9/11 Shrine on Aspen Mountain includes a large, carved, wooden sign that shows the New York City skyline along with the Twin Towers.

It commemorates those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Across the top of the sign, in large print, it says, “In Remembrance of Those …. ” And there are also red roses carved on it. At the bottom, it says, “May we know peace.”

Behind the sign are some other items, including a sign pertaining to the New York Fire Department (“Always Honored-Never Forgotten”) and also a thank-you sign to Aspen Skiing Co. from Lt. Kenneth Christiansen (aka “Whitey”), Lt. Andy Olsen, Lt. Gary Rishell and firefighter Steve Fenley (aka “Doc”), of Ladder Company 5 FDNY. These four men visited Aspen in February 2002.

The shrine also contains a log cut-out sign that says, “R.I.P Brothers,” with a “5” on it.

Tied to another tree is a T-shirt from the 2001 New York City Marathon. Chuck DiMartino, of the Kansas City Fire Department, contributed a KCFD T-shirt in February 2007 and then another one in January 2010. There is a “List of Heroes” posted on a tree that lists the names of 343 New York firefighters who died on Sept. 11.

There is also a touching remembrance here of one Thomas J. Foley, a fireman who died on Sept. 11 at age 32. There is a photo of Foley posted in the shrine and also a statement of the “Fireman’s Prayer,” which is as follows:

When I am called to duty, God,

Wherever flames may rage,

Give me the strength to save some life

Whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child

Before it’s too late,

Or save an older person

The horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert and hear the

weakest shout

And quickly and effectively

Put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling and

To give the best in me,

To guard my every neighbor and

Protect his property.

And if according to Your will,

I have to lose my life,

Please bless with your protecting hand

My children and wife.

Author Unknown

This shrine is one of the few shrines readily visible from the ski run without having to go back into the trees. (It is also a shrine that in some years is best viewed in the summer; in some winters, the shrine has been completely covered with snow.)

In July 2010, Rishell and Christiansen returned to Aspen, along with fellow New York firefighters Warren Forsythe, John (Big Dog) Graziano, Paul Giedel and Eddie Bergen, and on July 4, they dedicated a Sept. 11 sculpture in front of the Aspen Fire Department building at 420 E. Hopkins Ave. in Aspen.

Sometime after May 2011, four items were put up in the shrine noting the death of Osama Bin Laden.

The 9/11 Shrine is located near Gretl’s run on Aspen Mountain.

David Wood (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) is the author of the best-selling book about the Aspen shrines “Sanctuaries in the Snow — The Shrines and Memorials of Aspen/Snowmass.” He donates all of his profits from book sales to The Roaring Fork Valley Scholarship Fund. The book can be purchased in Snowmass Village at Snowmass Sports, the Stew Pot, Sundance Liquor and Gifts, and the Village Market as well as at various locations in Aspen.

This story is part of a weekly series in the Snowmass Sun

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