BOSTON -- A concern that the Sept. 11 tragedy and heroism could be forgotten by future generations inspired a Foxborough man to embark on an emotional mission to ensure that his town would always remember the lives lost in the terror attacks.

His trip became a more heart-wrenching journey than he ever imagined.

"Memorials are to honor the past and educate the future. So that's what we're trying to do," said Chris Mitchell, whose trip to the New York Sept. 11 site two years ago made him concerned that Americans were beginning to treat the anniversary of the attacks just like any other day.

He returned to Massachusetts determined to make sure that the residents of his town, at least, never forget. He decided to work to create a memorial to honor a local resident, Mike McGinty, a father of two who died in the World Trade Center attacks.

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McGinty's sons were in Mitchell's sons' Cub Scout pack.

"It's a piece of history," Mitchell said.

He and his wife launched "Foxborough Never Forgets," raising funds to build a memorial. About 50 volunteers, including construction workers and contractors, gave 1,200 hours of their time to build it, using $80,000 in donations to purchase the materials, such as the two solid granite towers in the center that flank a piece of steel from Ground Zero.

Mitchell said his June trip to pick up the piece of steel, dented from the destruction that day, was emotional.

"It was gut-wrenching. Seeing twisted pieces of steel and some of the fire trucks were there," Mitchell said.

Now that it's completed, Mitchell is proud of the memorial and he hopes it inspires others to do something in their communities.

"People do a lot of volunteering, whether it be a Scout leader or a soccer or a baseball coach, and you know, you're helping people out. If people did that every day, it would be a pretty good country to live in," he said.

Foxborough will be holding a McGinty service day on Saturday on the town common starting at 11:30 a.m.