2,983 men, women and children...

...perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993 in New York City, Schwenksville, PA and Washington, D.C.

"Reflections on Tragedy"
9/11 Memorial
New York City, NY

On the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, the 9/11 Memorial opened to  commemorate the lives lost, recognize the thousands who survived, and to allow visitors to come together in the spirit of unity that emerged in the aftermath of 9/11.  I had the honor to finally pay my respects a few weeks ago.

It's taken me awhile to figure out exactly what I want to say about my visit to the 9/11 Memorial.  Words seem inadequate.  Photographs often speak more eloquently.  It was a surreal experience to  stand in the footprints of the two World Trade Center buildings that were toppled.  I found myself mentally replaying television footage of that day, and imagining what terror happened on each step I traversed.  The World Trade Centers.  Over 1,360 feet tall, and 110 floors each housing 430 companies and attracting tens of thousands of of commuters and tourists daily.  The complex even had it's own zip code.  10048.

The memorial consists of two pools set in the footprints of the original Twin Towers.  Thirty-foot waterfalls, the largest in North America, cascade into the pools...

...each then descend into a center void.

The names of the victims are inscribed in bronze parapets around the perimeters of the pools.

2,977 people from 90 nations were killed on September 11, 2001.  The oldest was 85 years old.  The youngest was two.  And then there were those who were yet unborn.  More than 400 were first responders who died perfoming their sworn duties.  

"...and her unborn child"
9/11 Memorial
New York City, NY

The arrangement of the names is based on layers of "meaningful adjacencies" that reflect where the victims were on 9/11 and relationships they shared with others who were lost that day.  Requests were honored from victims' families for specific names to be placed next to one another.

I admit I relied greatly on a brochure I picked up at the sight to relay information regarding the memorial.  For me, there was a heaviness in the air that made "thinking and learning" difficult.  To walk on the ground where destruction and death reigned only a few years ago, was sobering.  But what is only a few years ago to a 53 year old, holds a different meaning than those same number of years to a young adult.  And that was glaringly apparent when many had to be told to hush their tones, or to not sit on the walls of the waterfalls.  I had to remind myself that so many who were visiting this day were mere children, or not even born yet, when 9/11 happened.  So perhaps the magnitude of the destruction wasn't fully comprehended.  But who am I to judge how another person should grieve or even react to any situation?  Yet, I did...and still do.

"Remember and Honor"
9/11 Memorial
New York City, NY

The official mission statement of the 9/11 Memorial...

"Respect this place made sacred through tragic loss."

Amen.

Here's where I'm linking up today ..."The Party's On"

Please join me on Sundays for Song-ography.

This week's song title is NeedToBreathe's "Something Beautiful".