Sparkles and Shoes

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9/11 Memorial: Let Freedom Ring

| 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. 

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  3. Sonia De Macedo says

    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

  4. Alyssa says

    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…

  6. Dara @ Not In Jersey says

    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

    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

  18. Sofia Donatelli says

    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

    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

    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

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