9/11 MEMORIAL TRIBUTE
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanPhotos also by: 9/11 Memorial Website
September 11, 2011 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11/2001 attacks. This year will be even more significant with the opening of the National September 11th Memorial honoring the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks not only at the World Trade Center site but also the Shanksville, PA and Pentagon sites. Also remembered will be the six people killed at the World Trade Center bombing in February of 1993.
Built on the site where the World Trade Center towers once stood, one-acre twin reflecting pools will feature the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. The name of every person who died in 1993 and 2001 are inscribed into the bronze panels edging the Memorial pools. This design was chosen as the perfect representation from over 5200 entries of 63 nations. Architect Michael Arad and Landscape Architect Peter Walker created the memorial.
In keeping with the theme of environmentally green, there will be over 400 trees, inclusive of swamp white oak trees, across the plaza surrounding the peaceful pools. Being in the middle of this memorial will fill you with hope, renewal and promise. The Memorial Glade will be an area for gatherings and special ceremonies.
Not only will you find the serene pools but also a 9/11 Memorial Museum, a train station and other facilities 70 feet below street level. The entrance to the Museum houses two huge tridents within its glass atrium which are artifacts from the steel facade of the original North Tower. The Museum will open in September of 2012.
The Memorial Plaza’s irrigation, storm water and pest management systems will conserve energy, water and other resources. Rainwater will be collected in storage tanks below the plaza surface. The harvested water will be used for the irrigation.
The name of the memorial will be ‘Reflecting Absence’. This is sure to be an emotional and treasured remembrance day after day by residents and visitors from around the world for a tragedy that will live on in our hearts and in our minds forever.
To learn more, please visit http://www.911memorial.org.
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