September 13, 2013

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".

29 comments:

  1. your skills with your camera are AMAZING

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  2. Kathy, these are gorgeous. We were there this past Thanksgiving. An amazing day to go. It's amazing to see where the world is today and the beauty that stands where such horrible acts happened.

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  3. I was there last week Sep 4 and felt much as you did. I was annoyed at people laughing and joking. But more offended watching a mother with her teenage daughter taking photos of her with her skimpy white skirt lifting in the wind.
    I thought the memorial is very tasteful and moving.
    Your photos are gorgeous!!

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  4. These photos break my heart. I doubt most of us will ever fully recover from that day. #in tears.

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  5. You've made a beautiful and reflective post for this tragic event. Your photo work is beautiful done!

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  6. Touching... Beautiful and touching!

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  7. These photos are so rich. So raw. They don't need your words, but laying your heart out there with them is very powerful. Thank you so much for this.

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  8. Kathy beautifully done, a perfect layering of words and images!! I have not been, I'm just not ready!!

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  9. Oh I'm going to have to echo what Adrienne said. Your photos tell the story so well, so beautiful, so moving. Thank you for sharing this!

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  10. Such a tragic monument, but beautiful photos! I imagine being there and seeing this would be very moving and emotional...

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  11. Kathy, this is the most stirring of posts regarding September 11th 2001. You presented it beautifully and with the reverence it displays. I felt the solitude through your words and photographs. Yes, my oldest granddaughter is 10 and turning 11 in November. She wasn't even born then. I remember when it happened and it changed me and how our nation was scarred that day; it will never be the same as it was on September 10th. As the days after unfolded, I remember a news report of some little girl in someone's home made a comment of "why are we watching the fire movie over and over? Let's watch something else!" My parents experienced Pearl Harbor and always told me how horrible that was. 9-11 is my and my children's generation's Pearl Harbor. I don't want my Granddaughter or any of my grandchildren or any of that generation to have their Pearl Harbor or 9-11. That memorial is breathtaking and sacred ground; very sacred ground. Thank you Kathy, for stirring my soul, Thank You.

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  12. Kathy, this is a beautiful post. Your photos are stunning and so effective. You caught so many images that make me think of that day. And your words are so heartfelt and honest. I would like to visit the memorial. It will be very hard, I'm sure. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.

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  13. Heart wrenching...beautiful. *no other words, because you said it perfectly*

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  14. Thank you for taking me there, through beautiful images and thoughtful, heartfelt words. Gave me goosebumps.

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  15. Suca a beautiful tribute. I really need to make the trip to NY soon to experience it in person.

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  16. This post just gives me chills-I was there a year ago but there was so much construction-we decided to wait until the area had settled a bit. I too replayed that day while standing in the alleys and just stood in silent tears at the thought of the chaos that insued. Thank you for this today Kathy.

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  17. beautiful tribute to a remarkable place born of a tragic day

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  18. I hope to see this myself someday. I didn't know what was done as memorial. In the image showing the blurred reflection of the crowd, it occurred to me that water was a brilliant choice-it creates reflections-and anyone who visits that site is sure to reflect upon and re-visit those images and events branded in our minds.
    Loved this post, reading your thoughts, and seeing the images thru your amazing eye. Magical and yes, sobering.

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  19. This is beautiful. Such a heartfelt post and presented in a respectful manner. I really enjoyed the photos of the Memorial. I know it's probably something I will never see in person so I'm thankful for people like you who share your photography. I also understand the feelings about respecting places like this. I was appalled when I visited Valley Forge National Park in PA and there were people wearing their "bikinis" there because it was a hot day. Again thank you for sharing this.

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  20. Fully agree with everything you said! I visited last summer and to me the whole thing was a mix of strange feelings. At first the voids bothered me because they seemed like an abyss until I understood the representation. There was also disbelief to be standing where it all happened. Their was a lump in my throat, but then a few feet away some couple would be posing with the memorials smiling like it was a vacation slide. That really threw me. I judged them, but then tried to remember that maybe they didn't understand. Still it just seemed odd that people were allowed to just mill about. I've often wondered how the families feel about the memorial now that it is open to the public.

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  21. Maybe you have watched the PBS NOVA about the memorial and the new tower. If not you should it's well done.
    I have not been to any of the 9/11 sites but I have been to the Oklahoma bombing site a few times. Standing in a place where senseless killing of many people moved me and many others. thanks for the post.

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  22. I've never been to NYC but it's on my travel list. I appreciate you sharing these beautiful photos ---- I had not realized how large the actual memorial was. I can imagine the waterfalls contribute to the power of this site. To me - the movement of water is calming, fills me with a sense of peacefulness & centers my mind.
    I would have been one of those people to "shush" people. It's unfortunate when people don't understand the significance of memorials ---- especially with younger children & teens. It wouldn't have taken a moment for an adult to talk about the impact of 9/11 & what it meant to them before allowing their children to step toward this site. When it's adults, it shows a lack of empathy & civility which is such a shame.
    Thank you for sharing, Kathy.

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  23. Your masterful photos are a beautiful and reverent tribute to the memory of all that was lost on that terrible day.

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  24. Very moving Kathy -- I can't imagine the emotion present...

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  25. Beautifully done, brought tears to my eyes and many memories for we also watched in horror and disbelief around the other side of our not-so-large world.

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  26. we were living in NJ when this tragedy happened and remember the day and our feelings. we have been to the Twin Towers before 9-11 but have not returned to see thi memorial as we are now living in VA. We do plan to visit in the future.

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  27. Wow.

    These shots are stunningly, humbling-ly beautiful.
    This is far more information about the memorial than I knew just a few minutes ago.
    Thank you for sharing.

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