In September, 2011 we had the distinct pleasure and honor of visiting the National September 11 Memorial and Museum which is the location at which the previous twin towers (World Trade Center) existed. For those of you unfamiliar, there within, aside from the as yet finished Museum are two square waterfalls each sitting within the footprint of each tower. Each of these, measured at one square acre are said to be the largest man-made waterfalls in the United States with water cascading down within on each side. Along the borders of these two square waterfalls engraved on bronze are the names of the nearly 3,000 victims who lost their lives on that fateful day of September 11, 2001.
Having been ten years since the devastation of 911 I found myself teetering between a sense of odd familiarity with the old site as it once existed and a sense of wonder for what lay in its future. The sort of strange feeling one gets when finding oneself on known ground but at an odd time. Does that make sense? Even as I write this months past my visit and years past those days I remember the experiences as if they’d just happened yet I find myself at a loss for the articulate words with which to describe them. What I can say without question is I’d not felt intensely emotional during my visit until I came upon the replanted pear tree which was one of a number of the surviving trees. Despite my fondness for nature I am not what would generally pass for a ‘tree hugger’. To be honest I’ve no idea what that means any more in today’s world. But having come before that tree and standing there face to ‘symbolic face’ I felt an immense connection. One I’m sure many others who’ve suffered through the pain inflicted on that day long ago will appreciate and in all likelihood experience. ‘and for those of you unfamiliar, Very soon after September 11 the Callery Pear Tree had been transported to the Arthur Ross Nursery at the Bronx’ Van Cortlandt Park and cared for there until it was returned to the 911 site. It is one of a number of items to look out for upon your visit to the Memorial as you can just about fathom from my aforementioned words.
Yours truly has every intention of returning soon, most likely before the beginning of Spring this year of 2012. Hopefully it’ll become a regular outing for myself and those in my circle. On a separate page are photos taken during our visit. They are provided in the largest size possible for download. ‘and eventually, hopefully sooner than later, videos taken of the waterfalls will be posted as well.
There’s much more to be said and shared but I’ll hold off until my next visit which shall be not long after the time of this writing.
Should you be interested and there’s no doubt you will be then you can visit the official site of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. There you can go about reserving free passes for your visit to the memorial.