Being in New York on 9/11

I still remember 9/11/2001 pretty clearly. They tell you that when a tragedy happens you remember that day. For instance, mom still remembers when the Challenger exploded on it's way into orbit. People still remember when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. On the day of 9/11/2001 I was in my 2nd period computer class (yep - they had those then) and the teacher turned the TV on to the news. They were showing coverage of the 1st tower being hit and we just couldn't understand what was happening. I remember speculation that it was an accident, a rogue pilot and several other theories. It became apparent that it was a terror attach on the USA. I had to leave for 3rd period physics where some upper classmen began discussing the draft. They were so scared. These 16/17 year old boys were legitimately scared of what this horrific event would do for this nation, their lives and their family and friends lives. It just changes you.

Fast forward to the summer of 2002 and my first visit to New York City, we had a church mission trip planned for New York to work in some soup kitchens and a low income housing donation warehouse. We mostly worked each day in different areas and went no where near Ground Zero. Towards the end of the trip, we did get one day to see Manhattan and do a little sight seeing. Part of this was a visit to Ground Zero. I just remember a hole in the ground and couldn't imagine what was there previously - two huge skyscrapers. Walking along the path to see Ground Zero were banners hanging along a chain linked fence and each had hand written notes of thanks to the men and women that helped save lives during that day including those firefighters and policemen. And in the middle of this hole was the American flag. It was there and this was a national tragedy - not just for those in New York. We were standing together as a nation. 

Fast forward 15 years later and I'm back in New York City for a backpacking sabbatical. Oh how things have changed in what is relatively just a few short years. Our nation went to war and is still in war, you can no longer greet loved ones at an airport gate, there are rigorous security checks for every flight, and there seems to be this underlying threat of terror always no matter where you are. It's just there and you get kind of used to it unfortunately. And unfortunately this is the world we live in now days.  


Here are the days that we visited the 9/11 Memorial. Let's just say that I cried a lot during these visits.

9/9/2017

We visited the 9/11 Memorial and stood in awe of the beautiful memorial to all those that lost their lives in that horrific day. Two beautiful waterfall monuments stand where each tower previously stood and the names of each victim are engraved in the granite along the outside. So many people were there to see the monument, take pictures and pay respect. What I noticed is there were people from every language and background there. I just thought the Americans would only want to visit. Was this a world wide tragedy as well? Did other countries feel our pain and acknowledge that terrorism is a world wide issue?

There's absolutely no way to encapsulate the beauty of the memorial in words or in pictures. It's an experience and here are just a few pictures of the memorial to help you see what I have described. 

While there, we visited a small park that overlooked the memorial and found two statues. One is called "The Sphere" and is made of the rubble of 9/11. The other is the "America's Response Monument" of a special operations soldier on horseback and the inscription below the memorial describes the efforts of our armed forces immediately after the 9/11 attack and how bravely they went to defend our nation.

The Sphere

Special Operations Solider on horeseback

Next we visited the One World Trade Center (which I keep referring to as the Freedom Tower). In the tower you are able to go to the top to see all the views of New York City and some of New Jersey. It's gorgeous up there and they did a great job allowing the world to see this beautiful place.

View from One World Trade Center

Empire State Building seen at a distance from the One World Trade Center

9/11/2017

I awoke as usual and did not think much of it being 9/11. We already decided as a safety precaution to not go to the 9/11 memorial. We were going to stay pretty clear of that area. When Jennifer woke up, she lifted the curtains and said, "Do you hear the bagpipes?" I did not but she said it's the firefighter's memorial for 9/11. We rushed to put on some clothes and headed down towards the Hudson River and the Firefigher's Memorial that's right next to Walton and Jennifer's apartment. Indeed there was a firefighter in a kilt playing the bagpipes as other firefighters walked up in preparation for the ceremony. As Jennifer pointed out, being a firefighter can be a family business and so many people at the ceremony personally lost family members both in blood and in brotherhood. The ceremony started about 8:30 with thanking family members of victims being there and a prayer for the victims families and for all those in service. A moment of silence at 8:46am was given in memory of the first tower being struck. Then the groups of victims were recognized - civilians and emergency workers. After that they called out each of the 343 fighterfighters killed by name as their surviving brothers stood on Riverside Drive. All was quiet as each name was read. No one spoke and all paid their respects. 

Firefighters memorial on Riverside Drive

Firefighters salute their fallen family

For the day, we headed to Brooklyn and happen to be there right as night fell. Caleb and I (Brian headed back early from being sick) walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and saw two beams of light shining in the night sky. Again, I can't fully put into words the impact this scene had on me, but it was beautiful, humbling and provoke remembrance of that day.

9/11 remembrance from the Brooklyn Bridge

We really wanted to see the memorial anyways and walked to the 9/11 memorial. I was honestly a little nervous but everything was well protected. People were paying their respects and taking in the meaning of this place. In the engraved names along the waterfall monuments were placed flowers, American flags and notes. The notes broke me. They were notes of - we miss you, see you soon and pictures. It's still real for so many people and I only saw it from my hometown miles away. I can't imagine what it is like to live it.

The 9/11 memorial and monument are so very well done. We will never forget this day. Thank you to all those that serve our country here and overseas. You selfishly give of yourself every day. I'm so thankful to call the United States of America home sweet home.