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The Story Behind Wayzata’s 9/11 Memorial: Remembrance, Community, and Enduring Unity on the 25th Ann
By Wayzata Mayor Andrew Mullin
As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, a quarter-century has passed since that fateful morning when our nation changed forever. For my generation, 9/11 was our Pearl Harbor. It remains seared into our collective memory, not only as a national tragedy, but for many of us across Minnesota, as a deeply personal loss.
Local Ties
Among the seven Minnesota families most directly impacted, two had deep roots in our community: Gordon McCannel “Gordy” Aamoth Jr. of Wayzata and Thomas Edward Burnett Jr. of Bloomington.
To preserve these memories and provide context for future generations, we partnered with filmmakers Brian Lucas and Fred Miller to produce a short tribute film. I invite you to watch Wayzata 9-11 Tribute on YouTube to hear firsthand reflections from the families directly affected and the Minnesotans who bore witness to that day.
Gordy Aamoth Jr.
Gordy grew up right here in Wayzata before moving to New York City to build his career on Wall Street. Remembered by his family as charismatic, energetic, and full of life, he was working on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center’s South Tower when the second plane struck.
Tom Burnett
Tom Burnett was flying home to San Francisco so he would not miss his young daughter’s first day of kindergarten when his flight, United 93, was hijacked. After learning of the coordinated attacks across the country, Tom told his wife, "We're going to do something," before joining fellow passengers to storm the cockpit. Their heroic revolt forced the aircraft down in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, sacrificing their lives to save thousands of others and protect our nation’s capital. As Tom’s sister Mary shares in the film, Tom lived by the motto that life is for the living, a poignant reminder to hug our families, cherish each day, and rise above petty divisions.
Wayzata’s Tribute
Wayzata honors this enduring legacy through longstanding annual traditions. Since 2002, members of the Wayzata Fire Department gather every September 11th on the Broadway Bridge over I-394, flying the Stars and Stripes west at sunrise and east at sunset as a visible reminder across the highway to never forget. At dawn and dusk, Wayzata Police and Fire Department members also raise and lower ceremonial flags at our Lake Street Memorial Grove. Generously provided by the Aamoth family, these flags were flown in Gordy’s honor over the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Ground Zero, and during combat missions in Afghanistan.
Panoway Memorial
During the planning for Phase I of the Panoway on Wayzata Bay, our community came together to build a permanent home for reflection. With contributions from more than 100 private donors totaling over $135,000, Civitas principal Scott Jordan collaborated with Gordy’s brother, architect Peter Aamoth of James Dayton Design Studio, to design the grove with thoughtful symbolism. Nine paper birch trees and two granite plinths evoke the date 9/11 and echo the silhouette of the World Trade Center towers. Mined locally in Minnesota, the Cold Spring granite was chosen for its permanence and strength, offering benches that invite visitors to sit and look out over Wayzata Bay. Recessed directly into the stone are preserved steel and glass artifacts recovered from Ground Zero, set alongside quiet inscriptions honoring the victims, survivors, first responders, and the memory of Gordy Aamoth Jr.
Dedicated on the 20th anniversary in 2021, the Memorial Grove enters its fifth year serving our downtown lakefront during this 25th milestone anniversary. The memorial stands not only to remember the lives lost, but to recall who we are at our best. In the days following September 11, Americans responded with overwhelming unity, empathy, and service to one another. Whether you join us for our annual ceremonies or pause during a quiet walk along the Panoway, now more than ever, we need to remember how our nation came together in common purpose, care for our neighbors, and remain in service to one another as Americans despite our differences.
