Two Americans…One Dream
Local Couple Keeps Promise with 9/11 Tribute Float at Pasadena’s 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade
by Stephanie Struyck Elgin
They are just two Santa Clarita residents with one dream…to never forget. As Jerry, a firefighter and his wife Merrie Thomsen sat at home watching the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade, they realized that 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks on America. After a discussion of wanting to build a float to honor and remember those who were involved on 9/11, Jerry and Merrie went on the computer, filled out an application and submitted their float idea.
And this idea turned into a journey they will never forget.
“In the middle of March, I received a letter from the Tournament of Roses committee,” states Jerry. “By the end of March, the committee sent me yet another letter, and then finally they accepted our float application. We couldn’t believe it.”
“We are just two Americans,” states Jerry’s wife, Merrie. “We aren’t backed by a large corporation. We just want to build a tribute float and tell people we are trying to keep our promise. We want people to see the float and say ‘I remember.’”
Jerry and Merrie, along with the Benefit and Welfare Association and Tribute Float Committee unveiled a beautiful color rendition of the float’s design to the public back in September. The float structure will consist of three platforms, beautifully decorated with multi-colored flowers. At the forefront of the float is an American shield, with two flags representing Flight 93, with the second part of the float in the shape of a pentagon. On the third platform, there will be a 25-30 foot memorial that will stand tall.
“There will be an actual fire hydrant that was found in the rubble of the Twin Towers in New York City on the float,” states Jerry. “When I received the hydrant, I handed it over to Matt Rodriguez, our float builder and owner of Charisma floats , we just sat together in awe. We were holding a piece of history and it was overwhelming.”
Jerry and Merrie visited New York recently and brought their rendering of the float to the City. “We wanted to get back there and show New York that California still remembers,” states Jerry. “We visited the fire stations and put the word out. The look in their eyes was simply amazing. They couldn’t believe two people would fly from coast to coast just to tell them we remembered and we cared.” Jerry and Merrie also visited the Pentagon, revisiting the site where many lost their lives.
The theme of the float is Remember, Reflect and Renew. “From coast to coast, and even across the ‘pond’ from England, people from all over came to help out after the 9/11 tragedy. It is a true testament to human spirit and our country,” states Merrie. “We need to grab that back. We want to remember as a nation how we got through this, reflect back on how we stood strong, and most of all renew our promise to those we lost and those still suffering, that we will never forget.”
September 11 will forever be engrained in our hearts and our minds. Most of us can remember where we were, who we were with and what we were doing on that fateful morning, and it almost seems unimaginable that 10 years has gone by since that day. With 2011 being the 10th anniversary of the attacks on America, let’s join Jerry and Merrie and help keep our promise and honor and remember those who gave their lives and sacrificed so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.
Join Jerry and Merrie in their efforts to make this float happen. They will have their last fundraiser at Valencia Country Club on Thursday, December 30 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Float riders will be there to share their stories. For more info about the event or to donate, visit www.911rosefloat.com. |
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