Inauguration of the Memorial 93 of the "Tower of the Voices" on the occasion of the anniversary of September 11th

(Courtesy of the work of bioLinia and Paul Murdoch Architects through National Park Services)

This week marks the 17th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks and, in memory of the 40 lives lost on board United Flight 93 – which crashed into an open field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania – a unique memorial of its kind was erected in Somerset County.

Called the "Tower of Voices" and located on the already existing Flight 93 memorial, the $ 6 million project – funded by the National Park Foundation – is about 30 meters away and embodies a musical instrument containing 40 wind chimes. the 40 victims.

According to the US National Parks Service, "the intention is to create a set of 40 tones that can, by sound, mean the serenity and nobility of the site, but also, by dissonance, recall the event that has dedicated the site.

"The Tower of Voices serves as both a visual and sound reminder of the heroism of 40 passengers and crew members. There are no other chime structures like this in the world. The shape and orientation of the tower are designed to optimize the flow of air through the walls of the tower to reach the interior chime chamber, "says the Parks Department. "The chime system is designed using the theory of music to identify a mathematically developed range of frequencies needed to produce a distinct musical note associated with each chime."

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In addition, the "C" shape of the tower allows the sound to resonate outside the open side in a fan arrangement. The chimes are wind activated and have internal attackers attached to the sails protruding from the base of each chime.

"This is the first visible memorial at the entrance, it's like a welcoming lighthouse or landmark that presents the memorial to visitors," architect Paul Murdoch told reporters before the ceremony. inauguration of Sunday. "It's not just an emotional memorial for those of us who have experienced this, especially those who have lost their lives, but who must be there to tell what happened."

Murdoch's design was selected from more than 1,100 applications and construction began last year. The Tower of Voices is the last major addition to the ever-flourishing memorial. It is at the entrance as the first visible element to welcome visitors.

"These 40 heroes who stood up to fight the terrorists that morning, it's a critical part of history," added Gordon Felt, president of Families of Flight 93. "The Choice That & # 39; They made not to let terms on how their life would end. "