Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to the Fallen Heroes of September 11, 2001

Three Congressional Gold Medals were awarded today in honor of the men andwomen who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.The ceremony took place in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

The United States Mint prepared and struck the three gold medals-one each for the World TradeCenter, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 in rural Pennsylvania -in accordance with the authorizinglegislation, Public Law 112-76, the Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act. Each medal bears a unique design.

The New York Medal
The medal's obverse (heads side) features an abstract representation of two towers. The abstractlines flowing downward symbolize loss while the lines moving upward represent rising above, hope,and deliverance from that loss. This configuration also suggests the World Trade Center's TwinTowers. The numbers 93, 77, 175, and 11 represent the four planes involved in the tragic events of9/11 and are positioned as if on a clock, representing the times of the crashes. The words "AlwaysRemember" are set upon a stone wall similar to the wall that bears the names of the victims at thememorial.

The reverse (tails side) features a single rose protruding from an edge at the top, an echo of thememorial in New York where a white rose is placed through the name of each victim on his or herbirthday. The inscription reads: WE HONOR THE THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE FROMMORE THAN 90 COUNTRIES LOST AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IN THE ATTACKS THATSHOOK THE WORLD ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. MAY THEIR MEMORY INSPIRE AN END TOINTOLERANCE. The design also includes a bald eagle standing sentinel and clasping branches oflaurel signifying an eternal honoring of those who perished in the tragedies.

The obverse of the World Trade Center Fallen Heroes' medal was designed by Artistic InfusionProgram artist Joel Iskowitz and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.The reverse was designed and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

The Pentagon Medal
The medal's obverse depicts the rebuilt façade of the Pentagon where Flight 77 crashed. The angleof view is the angle of the flight path. A single candle and a small bouquet of flowers and greenssignify a sacred memorial at the site. The American flag flies overhead in a united and patrioticembrace.

The reverse features 184 stars on a raised border around the edge of the design, one star for each ofthe victims of the tragedy. The inscription reads: WE HONOR THOSE ON FLIGHT 77 ANDTHOSE IN THE PENTAGON WHO PERISHED ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. WE WILL NEVERFORGET THEIR SACRIFICE AS WE UNITE IN MEMORY. The design also features a bald eaglestanding sentinel and clasping branches of laurel signifying an eternal honoring of those whoperished in the tragedies.

The obverse and reverse of the Pentagon medal were designed and executed by Ms. Hemphill.

The Flight 93 Medal
The medal's obverse features the hemlock groves behind the boulder at the Flight 93 Memorial, asimple reminder of loss and healing.The reverse features 40 stars on a raised border around the edge of the design, one star for eachvictim. The inscription is WE HONOR THE PASSENGERS AND CREW OF FLIGHT 93 WHOPERISHED ON A PENNSYLVANIA FIELD ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. THEIR COURAGEOUSACTION WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER. The design also features a bald eagle standingsentinel and clasping branches of laurel signifying an eternal honoring of those who perished in thetragedies.

The obverse of the Flight 93 medal was designed and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna, and the reverse was designed and executed by Ms. Hemphill.

Public Law 112-76, which requires the United States Mint to strike the Fallen Heroes of 9/11Congressional Gold Medal, also authorizes the bureau to strike and sell bronze reproductions of themedals. The medals will be available for purchase beginning noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)Sept. 11, 2014, via the bureau's online catalog at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog and at 1-800-USAMINT(872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468). The three-inch medals-product codes FH1 (New York Medal), FH3 (Flight93 Medal), FH5 (Pentagon Medal)-will be priced at $39.95.

To read the complete news release, see:
Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to the Fallen Heroes of September 11, 2001(www.usmint.gov/pressroom/?action=press_release&id=1619)

To read the complete Politico article, see:
Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at Capitol(www.politico.com/gallery/2014/09/congressional-gold-medal-ceremony-at-capitol/002024-028768.html)