Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • My Style
    • Spring Style
    • Summer Style
    • Fall Style
    • Winter Style
  • Fashion
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Singapore
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Central America
      • St Lucia
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • Sparkle Sessions
  • wedding
    • Engagement Story
    • Planning My Day
    • Wedding Inspo

9/11 Memorial: Let Freedom Ring

07/31/13 | New York City

Two weeks ago, while downtown for a meeting, I decided to take a long overdue journey to the World Trade Center memorial site.  As I can see it out of my bedroom window, in my new Brooklyn apartment, it is a constant reminder of what happened on that awful day. I visited 12 days ago but finding the right words to accompany these photos has been the cause of the delay. Eleven years later I still have a hard time writing or talking about this tragic event, so instead I am going to echo verbatim The Welcome Message at the ticket counter that was written by Mayor R. Bloomberg, the Mayor of the City of New York and the Chair of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum:

On behalf of the City of New York, it is an honor to welcome you to the National September 11 Memorial. From victims’ families to rescue workers, survivors, government officials, planners, architects, engineers, construction workers, community leaders, and supporters from all over the world, hundreds of thousands have contributed to making this memorial possible. This place of remembrance is the realization of our city’s and our country’s commitment to honoring all those we lost in the September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993 attacks.  I invite you to reflect on those who perished, the courage of those survived others, the resolve of those who survive and the solidarity the world has shown to New York. 

The only slightly disappointing part of my day was that the 9/11 Musuem is closed. I was really looking forward to going in, so instead I took a picture with the reflection and have the date of the reopening noted so I can go back: 

As a New Yorker I usually avoid the shops associated with tourist attractions but I decided to stop by the 9/11 shop after reading about the motorcycle created to represent the site. Here is the exact words on the plaque next to the bike, World Trade Center Rebuilding Chopper Courtesy of Daniel R. Tishman:

The World Trade Center Rebuilding Chopper, designed and custom-built by Paul Jr. and Paul Jr. Designs, was commissioned by Daniel Tishman, co-chairman of the Construction, OPerations and Real Estate Committee of the 9/11 Memorial’s Board of Directors.  Drawing inspiration from the 16-acre World Trade Center site, Paul Jr. folded into the bike’s design a number of architectural references from the Memorial and re-development projects underway.  The front wheel is crafted from hand-poured glass to evoke the crystalline form of the new 1 World Trade Center. The bike’s front end, a nod to the new 3 World Trade Center, emulates the diamond-shaped bracing of the building’s planned facade.  A ribbed gas tank parallels the white spires of the site’s transportation hub, and the back wheel, distinguished by its mirror-finish, is an homage to the 9/11 Memorial’s two reflecting pools.  The exhaust is modeled after 2 World Trade Center. 


We remember.  We will always remember. 

Signature

Subscribe

« Cuckoo for Cork Accessories
Pinot Grigio and Almost Birthday »

Related Posts

  • Galavanting at the Gala
  • Five on Friday
  • Photograph Food 13My Favorite New York City Eats
  • Running in Central Park with Zappos 027 Beginner Running Tips

Comments

  1. Kimberly Ann says

    August 2, 2013 at 1:36 am

    Great post! I went to the memorial/museum in March and it was a really touching place and brought back so many emotions!

    Kim
    http://trendkeeper.me

  2. Lauren @ Style of Ones Own says

    August 1, 2013 at 3:35 am

    Would love to visit and pay my respects one day. Thank you for sharing these pictures. After all this time it is still hard for me to think about that day (and I’m on the opposite coast). I can’t imagine what it must have been like for a New Yorker.

    Lauren
    Style of One’s Own

  3. Sonia De Macedo says

    August 1, 2013 at 12:08 am

    Wow I never actually visited the actual site but did visit a memorial thing in CT near Westport I think and it was pretty intense. So sad reading the plaques of so many people lost on that day and their was so many names too and I’m pretty sure it’s only a small amount of the total lives lost that day.

    SDMxx
    http://www.daringcoco.com

  4. Alyssa says

    July 31, 2013 at 9:49 pm

    I too can see the tower out of my Brooklyn bedroom window, but I have yet to make a trip to the memorial. I definitely need to though…

  5. Head to Toe Chic says

    July 31, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    That’s definitely a day we will all remember. I’m long overdue for a NYC trip and I would love to see that memorial some day.

    xo,
    Angela

  6. Dara @ Not In Jersey says

    July 31, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    we visited the memorial on one of our trips back to nj. it was a cool and rainy day, so appropriate to the mood of the memorial. were you living in nyc when it happened? we were in NJ, my husband worked in Newark, and we lived in Elizabeth, so we could see the smoke from our apartment.

  7. Erin says

    July 31, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    i went a few months ago when visiting new york and it was really amazing and emotional to be there. I cant even imagine if i was a new yorker how powerful that would be

  8. Rachel says

    July 31, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    I really need to take a trip to NYC to see the memorial. So beautiful and touching!

  9. Janet Mandell says

    July 31, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    AMAZING! I have sentimental feelings regarding 9/11 as I was there when it went down. It was horrible! I always cry when I see videos or tv shows regarding 9/11. Thanks for sharing! Great pics 🙂

    http://www.fashion-a-holic.com

  10. Diamenrose says

    July 31, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    Beautiful post. Really really interesting!

  11. Becky Dougherty says

    July 31, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    I really want to visit there. The next time I make a trip to New York City, I will have to be sure to stop. When does the museum reopen?

  12. Fabrizia says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    I went there one year an half too!
    Come back soon to visit me on Cosa Mi Metto???

  13. Jessica says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    I love seeing these pictures. I almost always visit the World Trade Center memorial site whenever I visit New York.

    Tracy @ http://www.sunnydaystarrynight.com

  14. Marie Zamboli says

    July 31, 2013 at 11:10 am

    Hi what a cute nice blog honey you have…..My name si Marie I am a Blogger based in italy and I was wandering if we could follow each other GFC bloglovin
    Let me know I will ollow back as always! Love Marie.
    http://www.mariezamboli.com

    oxoxoxo
    Marie

  15. ♥ vendy ♥ says

    July 31, 2013 at 11:09 am

    REMEMBER is really important…one of most bad targedy of the history
    xoxo
    happy day

    NEW POST!!!

  16. Ashley says

    July 31, 2013 at 9:15 am

    Beautiful pictures! I definitely want to visit that site, so emotional…

    xo,
    Sincerely Miss Ash

  17. Lisa says

    July 31, 2013 at 8:25 am

    WOW great pics! I really want to go see this someday – I saw the site before they built it…

  18. Sofia Donatelli says

    July 31, 2013 at 7:48 am

    Thanks Kelly for this beautiful and moving post. You pictures are perfect the one that hit me the most was the one with your watch. I lived across the river and from my living room windows I could see those beautiful majestic buildings. It is a day that we will never forget and should hold dear to our heart. May God watch over all the families and children that lost their loved ones. God bless them and thank you again for reminding us and posting these beautiful pictures. As each reader looks at you pictures. I hope that we all stop and pray for our country, those lives we lost, the families and the soldiers that fight for our freedom everyday and their families that were affected.

    God Bless America!
    Have a wonderful day.
    Sofia

    stylishlyinlove.blogspot.com

  19. Tiff says

    July 31, 2013 at 7:44 am

    I’ve never been to the Memorial, despite having lived in NY for almost my whole life. It still makes me so sad to think about because I think about the devastation and the fact that we lost so many members of our community that day. It might bring me a sense of closure to see how the city is honoring everyone lost, but I’m not sure if I’m ready for it, so I thank you for the pictures that help depict the area.

  20. just daydream says

    July 31, 2013 at 7:12 am

    The world will always remember. Everyone remembers where they were that day, how they saw the horror another human can commit. I always remember the selflessness of the fire fighters and other hero’s that didn’t think and just saved. I have been to ground zero twice- once just after the event and then last summer. Both times, I felt very emotional, I think mainly because the city of new york, made a memorial- to remember all the fallen. Its so beautiful.

    Sarah x

  21. Helena Resende says

    July 31, 2013 at 6:11 am

    That is such an emotional place! 🙂

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Newsletter

POPULAR POSTS

  • King Henry VIII Gate of Windsor Castle Windsor Castle, The Queen’s Royal Residence
  • London Fashion Blogger in a Houndstooth Smockneck Dress and Teal Bag A Houndstooth Smockneck Dress
  • Annabelle of Viva Luxury in a Structured Tweed Blazer The Structured Blazer
  • Fringe Heels | Schutz Kija Fringe Heels Fringe Heels
  • Hawaii Wedding and Bridal Inspiration by Makapuu Beach shot by Alice Ahn Photography Beach Photoshoot Inspiration

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon (US)

Amazon (UK)

Beauty Pie

Nordstrom 

Sephora

Wayfair



Archives

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2023 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework