During a pre-game ceremony on Sunday, September 8 at Yankee Stadium, American Forests and Eddie Bauer presented the first Memorial Tree for 9-11 in New York. The tree, a coral burst crabapple, was planted in the stadium’s Monument Park behind Center Field on September 11, and is accompanied by a marble memorial plaque. The tree in Monument Park marks the beginning of plantings to remember each life lost in New York; Virginia/Washington, DC; and Pennsylvania.

“Throughout history, trees have been planted to recognize acts of heroism,” said executive director Deborah Gangloff. “As our nation continues to rebuild communities affected by September 11, we believe that planting trees is a fitting tribute to the strength and perseverance of America. Trees are not only a unique memorial, they are a significant contribution to the environment.”

American Forests’ Memorial Tree Groves campaign was created as a living tribute to the firefighters, policemen, and other victims and heroes who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. In January, retailer Eddie Bauer pledged $500,000 to American Forests to support the Memorial Tree Groves campaign. With the support of Eddie Bauer’s customers and associates, the retailer is continuing to ask customers to add a dollar to their total to help plant Memorial Trees through January 2003. Donations can be made at any Eddie Bauer retail store, through the Eddie Bauer catalog service (800/426-8020) or online at www.eddiebauer.com.

American Forests will plant more than 2,800 trees in New York; 40 at a fire fighting training facility in Somerset, Pennsylvania; and 184 near the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. In addition, American Forests will plant at least 184 trees on Washington, DC’s Kingman Island, in recognition of the national scope of the tragedy. American Forests is working with local groups and agencies such as New York City’s Parks and Recreation Department; Hudson River Park Trust; Lower Hudson River RC&D; SUNY at Stony Brook; Washington, DC’s Office of the Mayor; and Arlington County, Virginia officials. Beginning this fall, these 6- to10-foot-tall trees, will be planted at the designated sites.