9/11 Rose Parade Tribute Float

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Today the 122nd Rose Parade is being viewed on television throughout the United States and in more than 200 international territories and countries. It takes thousands of man-hours to get the huge floats ready to cruise down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California.

On December 26th, the float that pays tribute to everyone who died on September 11, 2001 was moved to a giant tent next to the Rose Bowl for the final seed and floral decorations that adorn the 55-foot long float.

The 9/11 Tribute Float, designed by Raul Rodriguez and built by Charisma Floats, has three distinct parts with the theme of the float being "Remember, Reflect, Renew." It began as an idea of a Los Angeles County Firefighter and his wife after they saw last year's parade.

"Well, since going back to New York and coming back nine years later, the two words I heard the most were 'Never Forget' and I think we have forgotten," said Jerry Thomsen, a Fire Engineer with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) and President of the Los Angeles County Firemen's Benefit and Welfare Association. "Every victim became a number and we wanted to bring a name back to that number."

Thomsen wanted to make sure every name was represented. "What better way than the first day of the 10 year anniversary on New Year's day to represent them," Thomsen said.

The centerpiece of the float is a fire hydrant that was pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center near Building 7. Thomsen had to get a special variance from the Tournament of Roses to have it on the float without being covered with organic material.

The hydrant was given to the Los Angeles County Fire Department after 9/11, and it is normally housed in the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum.

"Having that piece, memorable piece, I thought, what a better way to have that on the float," Thomsen said.

1,800 vials of flowers are being showcased on the Pentagon portion of the 9/11 Tribute Float. The vials were purchased by people in memory of those that were lost in the tragedy. 

"Each of the vials has a name on it for each of the people that passed away in the 9/11 tragic events," Brad Carraway of Firemen's Brew explained. "This is really the touching part of the memorial."

There will be seven people riding on the float representing people killed on 9/11. Along with Jerry and Merrie Thomsen will be Cathie Hong riding for her sister Betty Ann Ong. She was a flight attendant on Flight 11, the first plane to hit the World Trade Center.

Several others are scheduled to ride on the float but have had trouble getting to California because of weather canceling their flights. They are Esteban Silva who was on the 44th floor of the South Tower and was able to escape, Joe Smith of the NYPD who is riding for his wife Moira Smith, the only female NYPD officer killed in the tragedy.

Also riding on the float is Veronica Roberts, who is riding for her son Michael a member of the City of New York Fire Department (FDNY) and Jim Laychak who started the Pentagon Memorial Fund.

"I lost my brother Dave in the Pentagon, he was a civilian working for the Department of the Army," Laychak said. "I'm honored to be asked to be part of the float and ride the float representing all the families from the Pentagon."

Viewers of the parade can vote online for their favorite float by visiting  http://www.tournamentofroses.com/the-rose-parade/vote/viewers-choice-award.

For the first time, viewers can also text their votes for their favorite float. From 8:00 a.m. until 2:10 p.m. Pacific Time on New Year's Day, votes can be made for the 9/11 Tribute Float by texting the word "FLOAT" followed by the Float I.D. "94" to "50649".

The Thomsen's and the Float Committee have worked hard the last several months to raise money for the float. They have hosted fundraising galas, sold commemorative apparel on the 9/11 Rose Float website, provided rose sponsorship opportunities, and have secured sponsorship from companies such as Fireman's Brew.  They are also receiving significant help from the Los Angeles County Firemen's Benefit and Welfare Association.

"We don't have a huge organization sponsoring us so it's just been he and I and our committee that has tried to get the word out," said Merrie Thomsen. "We're really want every American to know that this float is going to happen."

Donations will continue to be accepted for the float after New Year's Day at www.911rosefloat.com. Any money raised above and beyond the cost of the float will be donated to 9/11 memorial organizations such as the Pentagon Memorial Fund.


Author:Barbara Brooks and J.R. Ybarra - FDNNTV.com