9/11 Memorial at Bartram Trail Park

9/11 was a terrorist attack that sent shockwaves through America and is widely considered the most horrific event in modern America. Bartram Trail High School social studies teacher, Bill Blythe, and Young Republicans president, Mark Minor, were greatly impacted. When they learned there was a possibility steel from Ground Zero would be dispersed in the aftermath, Minor wrote a letter with the foresight to take advantage of the opportunity to bring a piece to St. Johns County. Representatives from Bartram Trail traveled to Ground Zero and eventually selected a 700 lb. I-beam. This beam, blessed by a New Mexico priest, then began its journey to St. Johns County.

Accomplished sculptor and art teacher, Bob Kirk took stewardship of the beam and crafted a sculpture. He had a vision, “I wanted the reality of tragedy and what took place” to contrast the “strength of rebuilding.” The resulting work was a contemporary “V” with one side being the warped remnant of the horrific events of 9/11 and the other an unblemished stainless-steel box beam. The conceptual “v” symbolizes different words for each person, but the sentiments of patriotism and humility are underlying. Bartram Trail has gone on to say the sculpture means “Vision and Remembrance,” “Values of Citizenship and Unity,” and “Victory Over Terrorism”. With the help of the community and Bartram Trail students, the sculpture was installed and unveiled on September 11, 2022.

Location: 7399 Longleaf Pine Pkwy, Saint Johns, Fl 32259

**Quotes found on Bartram Trail High School’s website, gathered by Devon Diaz, BTHS alum.