9/11 Memorial - NYC

We travelled to New York City to visit the 9/11 Memorial on September 10-12. The last time we went to NYC was in August of 2010 while the memorials were under construction. When the World Trade Center complex is completed, there will be public access from all sides, but for now we had to ‘purchase’ a ticket which gave the time and date to view the completed area consisting of the World Trade Center Memorial North and South Pools. Only family members were permitted to enter Ground Zero on September 11, 2013.

On September 11, 2001, 2,977 innocent people were killed when we were attacked on American soil. Many of us watched with horror on TV when the second tower was hit by an American plane piloted by an Islamist terrorist. The Twin Towers were destroyed and the Memorial North and South Pools are ‘footprints’ of where the towers once stood.

The names of the victims are inscribed forever on bronze around the perimeters of each pool. The South Pool consists of 441 names for First Responders, South Tower, 695 names, United Airlines Flight 93, 40 names, American Airlines Flight 77, 59 names, the Pentagon, 125 names and United Airlines Flight 175 with 60 names. Total for the South Pool, 1,420. The North Pool consists of North Tower, 1,470 names, American Airlines Flight 11, 87 names and included are the six victims of February 26, 1993. Total for the North Pool, 1,563.

The park around the pools is shaded and serene. It is surrounded by the future 1 WTC North Tower, 2 WTC South Tower, 4 WTC, 5 WTC and lastly 6 WTC. 3 WTC the Marriott Hotel is already in business. When completed the area will be a tribute never to forget for the victims of 9/11.

One tree in the park, a callery pear tree, is being called the ‘survivor tree’. It was part of the original WTC and survived the 2001 attack. When fully landscaped, the park will have more than 400 swamp white oaks and the ‘survivor tree’. It’s really fascinating to see and to think that this tree survived such trauma. It is a symbol of our resilience and hope for our nation’s future.

The Memorial Museum is scheduled to open next spring. The photograph shows people peeking inside trying to get a glimpse of what the museum has in store. Americans and foreigners from around the world come to view the WTC complex and are anxious to see ‘Ground Zero’ and how it has emerged and when the next WTC building opens.

This is the One World Trade Center or 1WTC formerly called the Freedom Tower that overlooks the North Pool. It is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere standing 1,776 feet. The number of feet coincides with our 1776 Declaration of Independence. It is a neck bending sight to see. I am looking forward to the time we can enter 1WTC. For now you can be witness to all the different buildings being constructed around the WTC complex.

As usual, as in every aspect of our American society, there are always the skeptics. These ‘Truth’ peddlers were handing out brochures in an effort to justify their stance. The handout reads, ‘Ten Reasons WHY YOU SHOULD QUESTION 9/11’. And as in everything there is ‘truth’ mixed in with misinformation, lies and conspiracy speculations.

The view from the Empire State Building observation deck looking toward the 1WTC is breathtaking. As you can see it was a very hazy day on 9/11 and visibility was low even at 3:30 pm. We enjoyed going to see the 9/11 Memorial because it reminded us that as a nation we must be forever vigilant.
RED SONJA
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