Page 18 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
Deeper Meaning at
Pantex Plant
by Ashlee Estlack
Patriotism.
According to Merriam-Webster,
patriotism is a love for or devotion
to one’s country.
For those who work at the Pantex
Plant, patriotism is also tied to the
day-to-day mission of the work they
do.
Every year, when our nation
observes Patriot Day, we are
reminded of the tragedy of the
attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and those
memories are forever ingrained in
the minds and hearts of Americans.
Those events forever bound the
nation together in Patriotism, and
the memories of that day will
never be forgotten. Each year, the
anniversary of the September 11
tragedy brings Americans together
to remember the bravery of both
first responders and everyday
heroes.
As lasting tribute to those first
responders and everyday heroes, a
memorial with a connection to the
18 Amarillo Senior Link
9/11 tragedy was built right here at
the Pantex Plant. That connection? A
piece of steel from the World Trade
Center. World Trade Center for a memorial
This steel was incorporated as monument. Once onsite, the steel
part of a permanent memorial was cut in Pantex’s Machine Shop.
monument to those lost on 9/11 and “It is important that we can
can be found outside of the Pantex visually see something tangible and
Fire Department. realize that what we do at Pantex
“It is extremely appropriate that is important to our freedom and
we place this memorial in front of the American way of life,” said
the building that houses our first Donovan Morgan, retired Pantex
responders, because it serves as Fire Department battalion chief, who
a symbol of our gratitude for the spearheaded the memorial initiative.
service they provide to this Plant,” Craft Supervisor and member of the
Mark Padilla, Assistant Manager Navy Reserve John Herrera oversaw
for Programs and Projects with the work done on the steel in the
NNSA Production Office (NPO), Machine Shop. “I revere the World
said at the monument’s dedication Trade Center steel just as I would a
in 2013. “It also serves as a bridge piece of steel from the USS Arizona,”
between our first responders and the he said. “On the USS Arizona, we
first responders who gave their lives had military personnel from the
on that fateful day.” Navy and the Marines die on board
Plans to create the monument at when it sank. At the World Trade
Pantex began in 2009 with a letter to Center, we had civilians die from the
the Port Authority of New York and deliberate attack.”
New Jersey requesting a piece of the