A Tribute to 9/11 – A Visit to The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Some of the massive pillars that supported the structure remain in place. The fire engines that are melted from the heat, elevator motors that are the size of a truck are mangled like aluminum foil, the shoes and personal possessions of the victims that were scattered like ash throughout the city, and the gear and clothing of the first responders are preserved in this place, our county’s principle institution for the September 11 events. Passports of some attackers, along with their biographies are also housed in the memorial.
Remains of a fire engine
An elevator motor
As we walked through the passageways, the best way to describe the feeling was “Reverence.” The sounds of that day, captured and preserved in a respectful manner, are the only thing heard. Thousands of people walk quietly, barely speaking a word, as they absorb the significance of that event. The sections that preserve the names and faces of the victims, through the quilts and photographs, speak loudly enough.
A quilt with photos of everyone who died in the attack
Another quilt and tribute to those lost on 9/11
Leaving the museum
As we escalated back to street level, the rising structure of Freedom Tower, with its mirrored façade and artistic design stands in stark contrast to the dark concrete of the Museum. The sounds of life replaced the sounds of death. Joy and laughter returned as life goes on, except, we passed those two large memorials, those holes in the ground, with their cascading water flowing to that eternal resting place and the names of the victims, resurrected from the bowels of the Museum standing guard so “We Never Forget.”
May We Never Forget
Freedom Tower and the September 11 Memorial
