Print
Jul 12, 2006 6:28 pm US/Eastern
Morrisville Man Chosen To Sculpt 9/11 Memorial
by Lesley Van Arsdall
MORRISSVILLE, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
-
-
Rob Girandola sculpting his tribute to firefighters killed in 9/11.
CBS 3
A Morrisville man has been chosen to sculpt memorial to New York firefighters who were killed on September 11, 2001.
"I feel like everything I had done before was just practice for this," said artist Rob Girandola.
For Girandola it's a dream come true, creating a sculpture to memorialize four fallen firefighters who were among the first to arrive at the World Trade Center towers on September 11th.
"I drew up a sketch for them and got them to check out the concept. Then drew in a charcoal under drawing," said Girandola.
Rob talked to the only firefighter there from Engine 6 to survive that morning and came up with an image of the four firefighters standing in a stairwell with the hand of one the missing firefighters extended like he's reaching for help.
Rob says very emotional, "Because one of them was never found."
Because the cause means so much to him he is sculpting free of charge. He estimates it will take him more than 200 hours to complete.
"These little details are so important to the firefighters like the pin on this hat," said Girandola.
Wanting to make it as accurate as possible, Girandola refers to the pictures of four firefighters wearing their uniforms. Eventually he says he will sculpt the faces of the actual fallen firefighters.
"I want it to be inspirational for them. Remind them a little of the day but more of the strength of the men," said Girandola.
Rob still needs $15,000 to cast the piece in bronze and hopes to have it ready to unveil September 11th.
If you would like to make a donation visit
/www.fdnyengine6.org.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
