Local Volunteers Champion Acton 9/11 Memorial Project

Tom Matthews (Acton firefighter), Jon Stackhouse (Acton police officer), Eva Szkaradek (Acton town clerk) and have managed to execute a big idea for a small town.

Two Acton families were directly affected by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when and died on American Airlines Flight 11. Matthews, Stackhouse and Szkaradek championed the Acton 9/11 Memorial project to commemorate not only the local lives lost, but to acknowledge the entire event that unfolded that day.

At the heart of the memorial:

“It was an awesome opportunity to acquire a piece of history,” said Matthews. “With such a tie to the town, we just thought it made sense to do it.”

According to Matthews, placing the memorial outside the Acton Public Safety Facility was the perfect spot.

“[The U.S.] lost so many first responders that day, you know, fire, police and EMS, that placing the memorial outside the Public Safety Facility just seemed like the perfect place for it.”

The project started in October, 2009 as an idea in Matthews’ head, which later flourished when many community volunteers came together to help. According to the three, this has been a time- consuming project, but well worth it.

“This project consumed my life for the past couple of years – just ask my wife,” said Matthews.

On top of his regular job, working on the 9/11 Memorial project and managing his home life with his wife and two year-old daughter, the Matthews just had their second child, born on August 26.

“An extreme amount of thanks has to be given to our family members for allowing us to take on this project,” said Stackhouse. “When Tom and I first started this, we had no idea how much work it was going to be. Neither one of us has done anything of this magnitude.”

All the leftover money that was raised by the Acton 9/11 Memorial Committee will go towards maintaining the grounds of the memorial.

“We’ve had great participation from several town departments and they were always right there to provide us with anything we needed,” said Szkaradek. “We had a great crew helping us out the entire way and so many volunteer contractors worked well with each other and with us and everyone cooperated to build this memorial.”

The unveiling of the Acton 9/11 Memorial will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, outside the Acton Public Safety Facility. Parking will be available at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School and  transportation will be provided from the parking lot. The handicapped and elderly may park at the Public Safety Facility.

“Meeting the families who have been directly involved in the 9/11 attacks was moving and this memorial is for them,” said Stackhouse. “They have a place now to bring their kids to remember an important part of our history and this memorial is never going to go away.”