More than 3,000 people died in the September 11, 2001 attacks on America, when two hijacked airliners brought down the World Trade Center twin towers in New York City, a third struck The Pentagon, and a fourth, whose target is unknown, crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers rose up against the terrorists. The memorial incorporates a beam from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, fragments from the facade of The Pentagon, and granite from Pennsylvania symbolizing the freedom fighters of Flight 93, with insignias of New York City rescue workers and a print of the boot of Commander Dan Shanower. Dan F. Shanower, a Naperville native, attended District 203 schools, graduated from Naperville Central High School in 1979, was commissioned a naval officer in 1985, and was killed at his Pentagon post while serving as chief of the Intelligence Plot for the Chief of U.S. Naval Operations.
