9/11 memorials in O’Fallon, Missouri: A tribute to heroes

O’FALLON, Mo. – Across O’Fallon, Missouri, 9/11 memorials remind those of tragic moments 23 years ago.

“The Spirit of Freedom,” a 13-ton memorial that contains fragments of the former World Trade Center, was dedicated on this day in 2003. The structure is located at Winghaven Boulevard near Interstate 64.

“I think St. Charles County does a really nice job with the remembrances,” Greg Hamilton said. “It’s super-important that we always keep this to the forefront so that we don’t let this ever happen again.”

The St. Charles resident was serving in the Air National Guard at Lambert Air Force Base when the world hit a sudden stop.

“It was just so weird being there at the airport, not hearing a plane,” he said. “Every now and then, you would hear a fighter jet because they were doing some stuff, but no activity at the airport and, obviously, security was really tight at the air base, not knowing what was going on that day.”

Another O’Fallon 9/11 memorial, in honor of America’s first responders, resides near City Hall on Main Street. The 17-foot tribute was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2005.

“Let’s keep supporting our troops and our first responders,” Hamilton said. “My son happens to be a police officer in St. Peters, so we need to support our first responders and our military to the ‘nth’ degree.”

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