Ceremony to mark 10th anniversary of September 11 attacks

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica will hold a rededication ceremony for the memorial sculpture in September 11 Park at the Costa Rican-North American Cultural Center in Sabana Norte, in northwestern San José. 

U.S. artist Roland Hockett designed and constructed the copper sculpture in his Florida home in 2004. The piece was then disassembled into small sections so it could be assembled on-site in Costa Rica. 

“I didn’t just want to make the feeling of an explosion, so I squared off everything,” said Hockett of his design. “The lines that are at the top of the sculpture don’t symbolize an explosion, but symbolize the spirits of those lost rising to the other life. That’s the deeper meaning in it.” 

A dedication ceremony was held on Sept. 11, 2004. Since then, vandals have damaged one section of the front right column. Hockett was contacted to repair it.

“I was really pleased to return to Costa Rica and help get the sculpture repaired and ready for the ceremony. It looks like a brand new sculpture,” said Hockett.

The rededication on Sunday will include a moment of silence and a wreath-laying ceremony, as well as speeches commemorating those who lost their lives in the attacks.

The monument is the result of a joint initiative between the U.S. Embassy, the Costa Rican-North American Cultural Center, the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce and the Colony of American Residents in Costa Rica.

The ceremony will begin on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. The U.S. Embassy expects a sizable contingent from the American Legion and Marine Corps League, in addition to U.S. residents in Costa Rica. Also in attendance will be representatives from the U.S. government and Costa Rican institutions, such as the Fire Department and National Police Force, and other diplomats.