Remembering 9/11: a Memorial Ten Years in the Making

As the tenth anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies in United States history looms, the citizens of New York begin turning East, and look to their next sunrise with a new and wondrous hope. We have weathered the storm, the worst has passed, and now, from the ashes of yesterday’s dreams, a new symbol of our future is rising against the horizon. All that remains of our loss, is a memory.

Whispers of rebuilding started to emanate from the dust of the September 11th attacks even before it had settled, but for the first time since that day, a concrete re-visioning of the World Trade center is emerging. Today marks not only the anniversary of that fateful destruction, but amazingly, joyfully, it’s lack of substance as well, as the first of several construction projects taking place around Ground Zero is finally unveiled, completed: The 911 Memorial.

Standing on the exact original site of the Twin Towers, the memorial will consist of an open air plaza surrounded by oaks, housing twin reflecting pools whose walled barriers bear the names inscribed in memory of those lost during the attack. For the families and friends of 9/11 victims, this event marks the culmination of their struggle, as a standing symbol of that sacrifice now rests peacefully, etched forever in the stone.

Now more than ever, we are reminded of the importance of togetherness and support, especially for those members of our community who protect our health and safety, like the brave medics and firemen who worked tirelessly in the wake of the September eleventh tragedy.

With work on the remainder of the new plaza at One World Trade Center set to continue into 2012 and beyond, we look to a promising future and move forward from a past that will never be forgotten.