---
title: "This combat veteran made a 9/11 memorial out of neckties"
description: "The terrorist attacks on 9/11 impacted Americans across the country and around the world. For Army veteran Greg Laakso, the attacks inspired an unconventional work of art."
date: "2022-09-10"
modified: "2022-09-10"
authors:
  - name: "Miguel Ortiz"
    job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/this-combat-veteran-made-a-9-11-memorial-out-of-neckties/"
categories:
  - "History"
  - "Veterans"
---

# This combat veteran made a 9/11 memorial out of neckties

![9/11 memorial neckties](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Tie-Towers-by-Gregory-Laakso-718x1024-1.jpg>)

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 impacted Americans across the country and [around the world](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/how-9-11-caused-queen-elizabeth-to-break-a-600-year-old-royal-tradition/>). For Army veteran Greg Laakso, the attacks inspired an unconventional work of art to honor the victims on that fateful day.

![9/11 memorial](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/SAC-Museum.jpeg>)
**The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum houses the largest collection of Cold War aircraft and artifacts in the U.S. as well as a unique 9/11 memorial (Visit Omaha)**

Laakso graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture. He is also a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq, having served in the U.S. Army and the Nebraska National Guard. Just a few months after 9/11, Laakso designed and constructed his tribute to the victims of 9/11 which he calls *Tie Towers*.

![A large hanging art installation made of numerous neckties arranged vertically in two tall, rectangular columns. The ties are of various colors and patterns, creating a dense, textured appearance. The installation is suspended from the ceiling of a spacious industrial-style room with exposed beams and a high roof.](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Tie-Towers-by-Gregory-Laakso-scaled.jpg>)
*Tie Towers *by Gregory J. Laakso (Miguel Ortiz)**

Using his perspective as a citizen, as a soldier and as an artist, Laakso created *Tie Towers* as a visual representation of those who lost their lives on 9/11. The piece consists of 1,452 neckties hung from a steel wire frame. As described on the piece's description plaque, each tie represents a life lost in the collapse of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. However, *Tie Towers* is made up of two columns representing both of the Twin Towers.

![9/11 anniversary](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Tribute-in-Light-911.jpeg>)
*Tribute in Light *on September 11, 2006, marking the sixth anniversary of 9/11 (U.S. Air Force)**

The 28-foot-tall sculpture is on display at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska. According to the cultures plaque, Laakso actively works in the Omaha area.

## Author
Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-ortiz1495>)