Remembering 9/11

On this day of reflection and remembrance, we think about exactly where we were when we found out what was happening on the morning of September 11. We think about that day and what it meant -- and still means -- for our country. And we think about the lives that were lost, and about the families who still, and always will, grieve for their loved ones that died on that unforgettable day 14 years ago.

Last November, while my sister and I were visiting New York City, we spent an entire day at the National September 11 Museum, and although I can't find many words to describe what we saw there or the emotions that we felt, I wanted to share some pictures I took during our visit. It was truly one of the most moving and emotional experiences I've ever had, and I encourage anyone who hasn't been to the Memorial or the Museum to make it a point to see it someday.

The National September 11 Memorial features twin reflecting pools -- each an acre in size -- that sit in the original footprint of the Twin Towers. The Memorial's architect, Michael Arad, designed the space to represent not only the physical void left where the World Trade Center once stood, but also the emotional void experienced by the incredible loss of life that resulted from the terrorist attacks. Surrounding both the North and South Pools are the names of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on that day. 

The artifact above is known as the Last Column -- it is the last column that was removed from Ground Zero, marking the end of a nine-month recovery effort. It contains graffiti, pictures, and other artifacts left by those who worked on the site. The numbers at the top indicate the number of lives lost from each of the rescue groups. There's a video telling the story of the column on the Museum's website.

Above is an art installation by artist Spencer Finch entitled Trying to Remember the Color of the Sky on That September Morning, and is made up of 2,983 watercolor squares -- one for each of the victims of the 2001 and 1993 attacks. Each letter making up the quote by the Roman poet Virgil in the center was forged from pieces of recovered steel from the World Trade Center.

Below are images of the historic "Survivors' Staircase," originally two flights of stairs and an escalator located above ground and outdoors, connecting Vesey Street to the WTC's Austin J. Tobin Plaza. The stairs were an escape route for hundreds of people fleeing the 5 World Trade Center building, which was adjacent to the Twin Towers.

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I was a senior in high school, sitting in my morning economics class on Tuesday, September 11. Our teacher turned on the television in the classroom when our school began hearing the news about what was going on, and I remember sitting there wide-eyed as we watched in real-time as the second plane hit the South Tower. Later in the day, our school received a bomb threat; we were all evacuated and spent most of the afternoon standing around the band field, frightened and confused, wondering what in the world was happening, not just at our school, but in the rest of the country. 

I'm fortunate in that I didn't lose any family or friends on 9/11. And I still can't even begin to imagine the loss that so many people suffered as a result of that day. For anyone that was missing a loved one today, my heart is with you... The heart of a whole nation is with you. May we always remember and honor the memories of those who are no longer with us because of these tragic events, not just on this day, but always.