May 14, 2023, Mother's Day Sunday
Like the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, the 9/11 Memorial showcases the atrocities of mankind against mankind, and the absolute depravity, as well as the tenacity, of the human spirit. It's a place of information to be sure, but also of contemplation, grieving and prayer. Perhaps I didn't miss church after all. Perhaps this was my sermon, my worship to a God of grace, who loves and heals. Who extends His mercy even to the most depraved if they will but reach out to Him.
Two waterfall pools, each nearly an acre, surrounded by lush green, Swamp White Oak trees create a peaceful area around the museum building. Inscribed on the flanks of the pools are the names of nearly 3,000 persons who died in, or as a result of the attacks on our country. Above is a photo that I borrowed from the museum's website to better depict the grounds. Photo credit to Jin S. Lee
Towering 1,776 feet above them is the One World Trade Center, formerly called The Freedom Tower. This is now the main building of the reconstructed World Trade Center.
The museum itself is massive, multi-roomed and extending seventy feet underground. It is dim, hushed and somber. Though these atrocities took place more than two decades ago, I felt that I was attending a memorial service. At reception I purchased headphones for a recorded, narrated tour that I could pause as needed to go at my own pace. It was both sensitive and informative.
Displayed in the museum were many remnants of the carnage, photos and stories of both survivors of the attacks as well as those who died. Photos, videos and voice recordings laid out the tragic timeline of events. Below, the twin towers before the attack.
The mural below, entitled "Trying to Remember the Color of the Sky on that September Morning". Many survivors commented on how they remember the blue of the sky before the attacks. Each of the 2,983 watercolor squares represents a person who died in the 1993 and 2001 attacks. The letters were forged from steel recovered from the World Trade Center.
On that fateful September day, hundreds of people were able to escape by using this flight of 37 steps leading from the elevated World Trade Center plaza to the street below.
Below, a 19 foot fragment of the 360 foot transmission tower that once was on top the north tower.
There were several areas where photos were not allowed, presumably for the privacy of family members. Personal belongings, such as shoes and other items of the deceased depicted their lives and personalities.
There was a large display showing the heroism of first responders. Below is the garage door from a firehouse in Brooklyn Heights that has been made into a memorial mural. The eight stars honor the firefighters from Engine Company 205 and Ladder Company 118 who lost their lives responding to the attacks.
The following photos of mangled steel and posted signs tell the story of Ladder Company 3, based in East Manhattan.
Though I personally knew no one involved in the rescue attempts, nor anyone on location at the time of the tragedy, emotions were still overwhelming at times. It would take days to go through the vast museum and take everything in. Despite some amazing rescue stories, it was a dark place. I needed to get out and into the sunshine. So around 5:00 I left, wandering through the leafy bower of oak trees before seeking out my dinner at a nearby food cart.
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