Firefighters Reserve is a memorial in Christchurch, New Zealand, for the first responders during the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001.[1] The reserve contains the A Tribute to Firefighters monument which has steel girders which were originally in the Twin Towers. First responders gather around the monument every year on the attacks' anniversary.[2][3]

Firefighters Reserve
Map
TypeMemorial
Location318 Madras Street, Christchurch, New Zealand
Coordinates43°31′36.5″S 172°38′35.4″E / 43.526806°S 172.643167°E / -43.526806; 172.643167
Opened26 October 2002 (26 October 2002)

History

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Memorial service held in 2021

After the September 11 attacks, New York City gifted Christchurch steel girders which were originally in the Twin Towers.[3] This was used in the monument A Tribute to Firefighters when it was opened on 26 October 2002 in Christchurch. It was created by Graham Bennett.[2][4] In order to repair two bridges, the structure was moved in September 2014 to land owned by the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church. It was moved back in February 2015.[5] In April 2015 the steel structure was vandalised with red spray paint.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Firefighters Reserve - Places New Zealand". places.nz. PlacesNZ. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b Walton, Steven (11 September 2021). "Christchurch memorial service honours first responders who went 'rushing into danger' on 9/11". Stuff. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Mitchell, Charlie (10 April 2015). "Vandals attack 9/11 memorial in Christchurch". Stuff. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  4. ^ "A Tribute to Firefighters'".
  5. ^ HUME, MYLES (2 February 2015). "Twin Towers memorial back in place". Stuff. Retrieved 16 December 2023.