Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas News
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Sculpture near D/FW pays tribute to 9-11 flight crews
By TERRY LEE GOODRICH GRAPEVINE — Family members of flight crews killed in 9-11 came from across the country Friday for the dedication of an 18-foot-tall sculpture dedicated to their loved ones. Nearly 1,000 members of the public and community officials joined them for the ceremony marked by the release of doves, a flyover by World War II airplanes in missing-man formation and a roll call of flight crews who perished."These are our heroes," American Airlines flight attendant Valerie Thompson of Hurst told the crowd. She founded the 9-11 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation six years ago to raise money for the $1 million memorial.Five figures are sculpted in bronze — a captain, a first officer, a female flight attendant, a male flight attendant and a little girl passenger. Many in the crowd wiped away tears as two Grapevine Opry members performed Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) and Proud to Be an American.The sculpture, called Valor Commitment Dedication, is west of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport at the southwest corner of Texan Trail and Northwest Highway. Its name was inspired by the traits of the 33 flight crew members who were among the nearly 3,000 people killed when terrorists hijacked and crashed four planes, Thompson said.The memorial also is a tribute to "all of those that courageously continue to be the ever-vigilant professionals of the airline industry," said American Airlines flight attendant Shirley Hall of Bedford, foundation vice president.Thirty-one relatives of the flight crew members attended, including Marty Fangman of Keller. His youngest brother, flight attendant Robert Fangman, was on United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane to crash into the World Trade Center."I’m absolutely pleased and enthusiastic about the memorial," Marty Fangman said. Kristy Fangman, Marty Fangman’s wife, called the statue "beautiful" and said she looks forward to having "something I will bring all the family to see."The sculptor was Valerie Thompson’s husband, Dean Thompson. He and volunteers based the art on a design by Utah artist Bryce Cameron Liston. The sculpture includes an iron beam from the World Trade Center, limestone from the Pentagon and stone from Shanksville, Pa. More than $300,000 has been raised with the help of the city of Grapevine and donors."Some people were only able to contribute the change in their pockets, but they wanted to help," Dean Thompson said. "Believers made it happen."Online: www.grapevinetexasusa.com/ 911flightcrewmemorialFigures in the sculpture An airline captain, one hand on a globe as a symbol of the responsibility of the worldwide airline industryA first officer holding an emergency manual and pointing to the western horizon, the destination of the four 9-11 flightsA child, symbolic of the traveling publicA female flight attendant, holding out one hand in a cautionary gesture and holding the child’s hand with her otherA male flight attendant, draping a blanket around the child.Two eagles in flight, representing lost flights from American and United airlines.
Star-Telegram.com – Jul 5, 2008 06:17 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
By TERRY LEE GOODRICH GRAPEVINE — Family members of flight crews killed in 9-11 came from across the country Friday for the dedication of an 18-foot-tall sculpture dedicated to their loved ones. Nearly 1,000 members of the public and community officials joined them for the ceremony marked by the release of doves, a flyover by World War II airplanes in missing-man formation and a roll call of flight crews who perished."These are our heroes," American Airlines flight attendant Valerie Thompson of Hurst told the crowd. She founded the 9-11 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation six years ago to raise money for the $1 million memorial.Five figures are sculpted in bronze — a captain, a first officer, a female flight attendant, a male flight attendant and a little girl passenger. Many in the crowd wiped away tears as two Grapevine Opry members performed Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) and Proud to Be an American.The sculpture, called Valor Commitment Dedication, is west of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport at the southwest corner of Texan Trail and Northwest Highway. Its name was inspired by the traits of the 33 flight crew members who were among the nearly 3,000 people killed when terrorists hijacked and crashed four planes, Thompson said.The memorial also is a tribute to "all of those that courageously continue to be the ever-vigilant professionals of the airline industry," said American Airlines flight attendant Shirley Hall of Bedford, foundation vice president.Thirty-one relatives of the flight crew members attended, including Marty Fangman of Keller. His youngest brother, flight attendant Robert Fangman, was on United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane to crash into the World Trade Center."I’m absolutely pleased and enthusiastic about the memorial," Marty Fangman said. Kristy Fangman, Marty Fangman’s wife, called the statue "beautiful" and said she looks forward to having "something I will bring all the family to see."The sculptor was Valerie Thompson’s husband, Dean Thompson. He and volunteers based the art on a design by Utah artist Bryce Cameron Liston. The sculpture includes an iron beam from the World Trade Center, limestone from the Pentagon and stone from Shanksville, Pa. More than $300,000 has been raised with the help of the city of Grapevine and donors."Some people were only able to contribute the change in their pockets, but they wanted to help," Dean Thompson said. "Believers made it happen."Online: www.grapevinetexasusa.com/ 911flightcrewmemorialFigures in the sculpture An airline captain, one hand on a globe as a symbol of the responsibility of the worldwide airline industryA first officer holding an emergency manual and pointing to the western horizon, the destination of the four 9-11 flightsA child, symbolic of the traveling publicA female flight attendant, holding out one hand in a cautionary gesture and holding the child’s hand with her otherA male flight attendant, draping a blanket around the child.Two eagles in flight, representing lost flights from American and United airlines.
Star-Telegram.com – Jul 5, 2008 06:17 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
North Texans celebrate Fourth of July in style
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More Mexicans leaving U.S. under duress
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Nonprofit pushes homeless kids to pursue higher education
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DallasNews.com – Jul 5, 2008 05:03 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
After seven years, drug dog ready to retire to civilian life
By ROBERT CADWALLADER MANSFIELD — "Party!"The command launches Rocket into action. Within seconds on a recent hot afternoon, the Belgian Malinois police dog is scratching rapid-fire on the fender of a black pickup in the Mansfield Law Enforcement Center parking lot."Good boy!" says his trainer, officer Richard Hash, who tosses a rubber toy at the dog and retrieves the bags of marijuana and methamphetamine he placed under the hood.After seven years as the Police Department’s go-to canine for drug-sniffing, evidence retrieval and suspect-chasing, the old dog’s still got it. But he may not use it much longer.Because of Rocket’s age and a mild but worsening case of arthritis in his hip, his veterinarian recommends retirement. Officials are searching for a replacement, which will cost about $12,000, including 15 weeks of training. Rocket could be out within six months.Top dog"He’s been the best dog we’ve had," said officer Thad Penkala, president of the Mansfield Police Officers Association. "He’s good around people, very attentive and very well-trained. He’s worked hard, and he deserves his retirement."Rocket is the third city police dog in the program, which started in 1990. He’s the city’s first Belgian Malinois, an increasingly popular breed of police dog in a field dominated by German shepherds.Mansfield’s first two dogs, Bushkin and Deuce, were shepherds. Police are looking for another Malinois. "A lot of police agencies have started using Malinoises," said Hash, a fan of the breed. "The whole thing is their hunting drive." Full-time petHash, 35, has boarded Rocket at his home throughout the dog’s career and will keep him as the family pet — with restrictions.His training and his 88 pounds make him a risk to children if he isn’t supervised. Hash has three sons, ages 3, 6 and 10."They would be heartbroken if anything happened to him, but he is a working dog," Hash said. "He’s not a vicious dog, but if the wrong thing happens, he could revert to his training, and I don’t want him reverting to his training. He’s still going to have his area, his spot where the kids don’t go unless I’m with them."Retirement plansHash, who started at the department in 1996 and took over the canine program in 2000, is moving back to patrol because he doesn’t want to commit to seven or eight years with another dog. Patrol officer Brandon Kramer will replace Hash as trainer.Rocket is taking medication for his arthritis, and officials say they don’t believe he’s in pain. In fact, Rocket might get some consulting work in retirement, helping police occasionally with drug or suspect searches."He’s such a high-drive dog that if he just sits around in the back yard, he’ll deteriorate," Hash said. "I want to keep him active."
Star-Telegram.com – Jul 5, 2008 04:58 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
By ROBERT CADWALLADER MANSFIELD — "Party!"The command launches Rocket into action. Within seconds on a recent hot afternoon, the Belgian Malinois police dog is scratching rapid-fire on the fender of a black pickup in the Mansfield Law Enforcement Center parking lot."Good boy!" says his trainer, officer Richard Hash, who tosses a rubber toy at the dog and retrieves the bags of marijuana and methamphetamine he placed under the hood.After seven years as the Police Department’s go-to canine for drug-sniffing, evidence retrieval and suspect-chasing, the old dog’s still got it. But he may not use it much longer.Because of Rocket’s age and a mild but worsening case of arthritis in his hip, his veterinarian recommends retirement. Officials are searching for a replacement, which will cost about $12,000, including 15 weeks of training. Rocket could be out within six months.Top dog"He’s been the best dog we’ve had," said officer Thad Penkala, president of the Mansfield Police Officers Association. "He’s good around people, very attentive and very well-trained. He’s worked hard, and he deserves his retirement."Rocket is the third city police dog in the program, which started in 1990. He’s the city’s first Belgian Malinois, an increasingly popular breed of police dog in a field dominated by German shepherds.Mansfield’s first two dogs, Bushkin and Deuce, were shepherds. Police are looking for another Malinois. "A lot of police agencies have started using Malinoises," said Hash, a fan of the breed. "The whole thing is their hunting drive." Full-time petHash, 35, has boarded Rocket at his home throughout the dog’s career and will keep him as the family pet — with restrictions.His training and his 88 pounds make him a risk to children if he isn’t supervised. Hash has three sons, ages 3, 6 and 10."They would be heartbroken if anything happened to him, but he is a working dog," Hash said. "He’s not a vicious dog, but if the wrong thing happens, he could revert to his training, and I don’t want him reverting to his training. He’s still going to have his area, his spot where the kids don’t go unless I’m with them."Retirement plansHash, who started at the department in 1996 and took over the canine program in 2000, is moving back to patrol because he doesn’t want to commit to seven or eight years with another dog. Patrol officer Brandon Kramer will replace Hash as trainer.Rocket is taking medication for his arthritis, and officials say they don’t believe he’s in pain. In fact, Rocket might get some consulting work in retirement, helping police occasionally with drug or suspect searches."He’s such a high-drive dog that if he just sits around in the back yard, he’ll deteriorate," Hash said. "I want to keep him active."
Star-Telegram.com – Jul 5, 2008 04:58 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Dallas police probe more motorist shootings
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Texas marriage education program aims to prevent divorce
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DallasNews.com – Jul 5, 2008 04:35 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
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Deficit May Close Four Dallas PoolsFor some families, it could be the last Independence Day that they will be able to spend at their neighborhood swimming pool.
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Severed hands on ice? Fort Worth police call it a reach
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Hundreds drawn to 9-11 memorial in Grapevine
By TERRY LEE GOODRICH GRAPEVINE -- Family members of flight crews killed in 9-11 came from across the country Friday for the dedication of an 18-foot-tall sculpture dedicated to their loved ones.Nearly 1,000 members of the public and community officials joined them for the ceremony marked by the release of doves, a flyover by World War II airplanes in missing-man formation and a roll call of flight crews who perished."These are our heroes," American Airlines flight attendant Valerie Thompson of Hurst told the crowd. She founded the 9-11 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation six years ago to raise money for the $1 million memorial.Five figures are sculpted in bronze -- a captain, a first officer, a female flight attendant, a male flight attendant and a little girl passenger.Many in the crowd wiped away tears as two Grapevine Opry members performed Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) and Proud to Be an American.The sculpture, called "Valor Commitment Dedication," is west of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport at the southwest corner of Texan Trail and Northwest Highway. Its name was inspired by the traits of the 33 flight crew members who were among the nearly 3,000 people killed when terrorists hijacked and crashed four planes, Thompson said.The memorial also is a tribute to "all of those that courageously continue to be the ever-vigilant professionals of the airline industry," said American Airlines flight attendant Shirley Hall of Bedford, foundation vice president.Thirty-one relatives of the flight crew members attended, including Marty Fangman of Keller. His youngest brother, flight attendant Robert Fangman, was on United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane to crash into the World Trade Center."I'm absolutely pleased and enthusiastic about the memorial," Marty Fangman said.Kristy Fangman, Marty Fangman's wife, called the statue beautiful and said she looks forward to having "something I will bring all the family to see."The sculptor was Valerie Thompson's husband, Dean Thompson. He and volunteers based the art on a design by Utah artist Bryce Cameron Liston.The sculpture includes an iron beam from the World Trade Center, limestone from the Pentagon and stone from Shanksville, Pa. More than $300,000 has been raised with the help of the city of Grapevine and donors."Some people were only able to contribute the change in their pockets, but they wanted to help," Dean Thompson said. "Believers made it happen."Figures in the sculpture■ An airline captain, one hand on a globe as a symbol of the responsibility of the worldwide airline industry■ A first officer holding an emergency manual and pointing to the western horizon, the destination of the four 9-11 flights■ A child, symbolic of the traveling public■ A female flight attendant, holding out one hand in a precautionary gesture and holding the child's hand with her other■ A male flight attendant, draping a blanket around the child■ Two eagles in flight, representing lost flights from American and United airlines
Star-Telegram.com – Jul 5, 2008 03:28 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
By TERRY LEE GOODRICH GRAPEVINE -- Family members of flight crews killed in 9-11 came from across the country Friday for the dedication of an 18-foot-tall sculpture dedicated to their loved ones.Nearly 1,000 members of the public and community officials joined them for the ceremony marked by the release of doves, a flyover by World War II airplanes in missing-man formation and a roll call of flight crews who perished."These are our heroes," American Airlines flight attendant Valerie Thompson of Hurst told the crowd. She founded the 9-11 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation six years ago to raise money for the $1 million memorial.Five figures are sculpted in bronze -- a captain, a first officer, a female flight attendant, a male flight attendant and a little girl passenger.Many in the crowd wiped away tears as two Grapevine Opry members performed Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) and Proud to Be an American.The sculpture, called "Valor Commitment Dedication," is west of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport at the southwest corner of Texan Trail and Northwest Highway. Its name was inspired by the traits of the 33 flight crew members who were among the nearly 3,000 people killed when terrorists hijacked and crashed four planes, Thompson said.The memorial also is a tribute to "all of those that courageously continue to be the ever-vigilant professionals of the airline industry," said American Airlines flight attendant Shirley Hall of Bedford, foundation vice president.Thirty-one relatives of the flight crew members attended, including Marty Fangman of Keller. His youngest brother, flight attendant Robert Fangman, was on United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane to crash into the World Trade Center."I'm absolutely pleased and enthusiastic about the memorial," Marty Fangman said.Kristy Fangman, Marty Fangman's wife, called the statue beautiful and said she looks forward to having "something I will bring all the family to see."The sculptor was Valerie Thompson's husband, Dean Thompson. He and volunteers based the art on a design by Utah artist Bryce Cameron Liston.The sculpture includes an iron beam from the World Trade Center, limestone from the Pentagon and stone from Shanksville, Pa. More than $300,000 has been raised with the help of the city of Grapevine and donors."Some people were only able to contribute the change in their pockets, but they wanted to help," Dean Thompson said. "Believers made it happen."Figures in the sculpture■ An airline captain, one hand on a globe as a symbol of the responsibility of the worldwide airline industry■ A first officer holding an emergency manual and pointing to the western horizon, the destination of the four 9-11 flights■ A child, symbolic of the traveling public■ A female flight attendant, holding out one hand in a precautionary gesture and holding the child's hand with her other■ A male flight attendant, draping a blanket around the child■ Two eagles in flight, representing lost flights from American and United airlines
Star-Telegram.com – Jul 5, 2008 03:28 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
