WTC 9/11 Tribute In Light Cancelled for 2020

Update on August 15:

Governor Cuomo says state would provide needed health personnel to ensure the safety of those involved.

Original Post:

The annual commemoration of the September 11, 2001 attacks on America will not be taking place this year. Word of this cancellation comes to us all via the official site’s announcement yesterday.

Taking place every year on the anniversary of that fateful day the lights would reach into the skies over Lower Manhattan and be seen for miles in all directions. Unfortunately, none of us will get to see them this year.

Yours truly has been at the actual ceremony where the lights are shone from. We were there 2010 and again on the tenth anniversary in 2011. It’s an extraordinary experience to see them so very close up.

Since the announcement, plenty folks have shared their disbelief online through social media.

The need of a large crew amidst the health risks of COVID-19 was the reason given.

We’ve written in the past about how there are 44 refrigerator sized lanterns/lamps for each of the two lights cast into the sky. Envisioning this, one can easily see how much effort must go into putting this sort of endeavor together. With a total of 88 lights to get up to a roof and in place must be quite a task.

Below are the words as they appear in the original site followed by photos taken by me over the years.

“”Tribute in Light, the world’s beloved twin beams of light, will not shine over lower Manhattan as part of this year’s 9/11 commemoration. This incredibly difficult decision was reached in consultation with our partners after concluding the health risks during the pandemic were far too great for the large crew required to produce the annual Tribute in Light. We hope to resume this iconic tribute for the 20th anniversary. In a spirit of unity and remembrance, the city will come together for a “Tribute in Lights” initiative to inspire the world and honor the promise to never forget.””