Wauconda plans 10th anniversary tribute to 9/11

Wauconda may join with American Legion Post 911 in Wauconda to create a rolling tribute police car to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.

Police Chief Doug Larsson said he was approached by Tom Goyette of the post to work with the Legion to create a tribute to the civilians, military and public service personnel who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93.

Explaining the process to the board at its Tuesday night committee meeting, Larsson said private donors would purchase the materials and labor needed to strip the decals from a 2009 police vehicle and replace them with a customized mural of scenes from the Sept. 11 tragedies.

Larsson said the squad car will be used as a regular police patrol vehicle and would not serve as a show car. The work would be performed by TG Signs of Wauconda and Ultrastrobe Company of Crystal Lake.

The cost of the project will not exceed $4,500. Larsson said the Legion has already received some donations. Any excess donations will be given to the National 911 Memorial Fund.

“The most important piece is that we will not spend any public funds to do this,” he said. Larsson said the proposal was that donors receive recognition by inclusion of their business names behind the rear wheel of the car. While the board supported the rolling tribute, they did not agree that contributors should receive an advertisement on the vehicle.

“I really find it objectionable that people who are going to donate toward this purpose would use this car as an advertisement — 9/11 is about 9/11, not a business,” Trustee Jean Mayo said.

Village attorney Rudolph Magna said that a plaque or community banner could be created to recognize the donors.

“We don’t want commercialization with a somber memorial,” he said. Larsson said he will let the American Legion know the board doesn’t want advertising on the car. If the idea is approved, Larsson said he hopes the vehicle can be unveiled Memorial Day.