September 11 Remembered at Old Passenger Station

Historic passenger railway station was a backdrop for 9/11 remembrance.
Historic passenger railway station was a backdrop for 9/11 remembrance.

Roanoke area dignitaries and local citizens came to the Virginian Railway passenger station last Friday to pause and remember events that occurred eight years ago.  Friday was the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, but in January of that year, a fire (started for warmth) spread and nearly destroyed the historic passenger station.

The Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society honors one non-profit group each year by contributing a flagpole and flag in memory of those who died on September 11 and to honor military and emergency personnel.  This year the Woodmen chose the Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society as their charity.  The flagpole was installed in front of the dilapidated passenger station.

Woodmen of the World Virginia State manager, Terry Wayne Carroll, read the commemorative plaque at the base of the pole, which declares in part, “In honor and remembrance of the heroes and victims in the fight against terrorism and to celebrate the enduring spirit of all Americans.”

The crowd stood as the Coast Guard Auxiliary Honor Guard raised the flag for the first time. As the flag was raised to the top of the pole and then brought back to half staff, a diesel locomotive train bell tolled three times in memory of those who died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and those on the hijacked plane that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Friday’s ceremony also served as an official kickoff by the rail Historical Society and Roanoke Preservation Foundation to restore the century-old station.

Mayor David Bowers announced that the Virginia Department of Transportation has given permission for the Historical Society to seek bids for phase one of the $2.3 million project, which is stabilizing the building.  Jim Cosby, chairman of the Society’s Restoration Committee, says the work could begin before the end of the year.

Alison Blanton with the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation says Congressman Goodlatte’s office has helped them secure more than $260,000 in T-21 funds.  “We will be applying for grants again through the Department of Transportation for additional T-21 monies.  We will probably be having a capital campaign to help raise some money as well.”

Blanton says, “Obviously it’s an architectural gem in Roanoke and it represents a lot of the history of Roanoke.  We’re kind of the ‘other’ railroad that people need to know about.  I think of us as being kind of like ‘the little engine that could.’  We’re chugging along but we’re going to make it happen and it’ll be exciting to see this become an active part of Roanoke again.”

By Beverly Amsler
[email protected]

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