Local 3 New York Builds 9/11 Memorial

From left to right, Local 3 NY Field Representative Ronn Pommerening, member Bob Whalen, foreman Rich Bailey, member Frank Tornatola, and Local 3 Vice Chairman Frank Insalaco.

On September 9, 2002 the Miller Brick Company of Rochester, New York, unveiled a dramatic brick mural as a tribute to American bravery and patriotism, and in remembrance of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Designed for Miller Brick by Endicott Clay Products, the memorial was installed with great skill and care by members of Local 3 New York’s Rochester Chapter.

Ronn Pommerening, Local 3 NY Field Representative, said, “We’re thankful that none of our Local’s members were lost or injured even though many of the other trades lost quite a few members. Here in the Rochester Chapter, we were glad to be a part of this testament to American bravery. Miller Brick knew they needed top-notch workers to do the project, and that’s why they contacted us. It’s a project that has special significance to all of our New York members, and we’re proud that Miller Brick trusted our members to do the job.” Four members of Local 3 NY worked on the project: foreman Rich Bailey; members Bobby Whalen and Frank Tornatola; and apprentice Mark Shapiro.

Mike Ksczanowicz, Vice President of Miller Brick, described the project as “a way to help the healing process, as well as give back to our community. Here, anyone can gather and help heal in their own way.”

Completed in August, the brick mural is a two-sided piece of art, also called a diptych. On one side, five Marines and one Navy corpsman struggle to hoist a heavy flag pole at Iwo Jima during World War II, a replica of the most reproduced photograph in history. On the other side, firefighters raise an American flag at Ground Zero in New York City.