Ping Lim in Shanksville, PA

Remember Me Rose Garden

Last month I posted “Remembering 9/11 with Roses” and Ping Lim, whom we became friends with several years ago, added a nice comment to that post.  Ping, in addition to hybridizing the Easy Elegance roses that Mike and I like, has also developed several “Remember Me” roses. Because of his contribution, Ping was invited to and attended the 10th anniversary of September 11 held at the “Remember Me” Rose Garden in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. (Above photos courtesy of Ping Lim)

Mike with Ping at the Chet Clayton Sustainable Rose Garden at the University of Rhode Island

Ping, who immigrated to the United States and became an American citizen, was pleased to become “a part of American history” by being involved in the creation of the “Remember Me” gardens. His rose ‘Forty Heroes’ honors the 40 heroes of Flight 93 who bravely fought back against the terrorists. (Photo of Forty Heroes courtesy of Ping Lim)

Roses, aside from being America’s National Flower, symbolize different things to different people and evoke memories of those we’ve lost. Ping expresses his thoughts in an essay he shared with me. He writes, “I am very honored that among the many roses chosen, four of my bred roses were selected to be part of the event to commemorate the 911 victims, including the 40 heroes on UA93.”

He continues, “This is indeed an opportunity that, as a rose breeder, I would never dream of having in my career. The rose has charm and beauty, is a symbol of love and brings sunshine to deeply soothe. It touches more than any political language….The rose shares love, remembrance and respect. It far transcends the meaning of a rose and I was totally awed by such a great honor.”

Thank you, Ping, for using your talent in creating beautiful, hardy and disease resistant roses to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11.

Visit Ping’s web site (http://rosesbyping.com to learn more about his roses.