9/11 Memorial: A moving experience

We visited the National September 11 Memorial Museum when we were in New York City recently, and no words could amply describe how moving the experience was.

The museum, located 70 feet below the memorial plaza, and which was opened to the public in May, houses various artifacts and memorabilia that not only honor the memory of those who perished on that fateful day in September 2001 when terrorists attacked the heart of America, but also pay tribute to the steadfast resolve of Americans to rebuild their nation in the aftermath.

From the rubble now rises the 1,776-ft.-tall One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) where the fallen Twin Towers once were, a symbol of America’s resilience in the face of terror. Two “infinity waterfalls” with bronze plates that bear the names of the victims sit at the heart of the memorial’s design aptly named “Reflecting Absence,” with trees adding to the tranquil atmosphere of the memorial.

Visitors to the museum could not help but be moved by the display of memorabilia that document the tragedy, yet stand as enduring testimony that nothing can break the spirit of Americans. Among the items is a uniform of a member of the US Navy SEAL Team 6 that stormed the Abbottabad, Pakistan fortress of Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011 and killed the al- Qaeda leader. A white brick displayed in a glass-enclosed cage and taken from Bin Laden’s safehouse serves as a powerful and dramatic testament to the tenacity of the United States in decimating the brains behind the 9/11 attack with nothing left but a piece of brick. Among the most poignant and powerful is the Last

Column — the steel beam that defiantly stood in the midst of the rubble at Ground Zero, covered by colorful spray paint, names, messages and tributes to those who perished.

Over four million people have visited the memorial while over half a million have seen the exhibit since it opened in May. I highly recommend for anyone who has the opportunity to travel to New York City to visit (a must, I might add) the National September 11 Memorial Museum — a powerful reminder to all of us about the need to continue the fight against evil.

The 104-story One World Trade Center or 1 WTC, also known as the ‘Freedom Tower.’

One of the two ‘infinity waterfalls,’ a 30-foot deep structure with black granite walls and bronze panels inscribed with the names of the victims of the 9/ 11 attacks.

Swamp white oak trees surround the 9/11 Memorial plaza, symbolic of life and hope growing amidst darkness and despair.

The last remaining brick taken from the Abbottabad safehouse of al- Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after he was killed.

The mangled remains of the Ladder Company 3 firetruck whose crew of 12 perished during search- andrescue efforts.

The thre e - stor y- t all Last Column.

Uniform worn by a US Navy SEAL Team 6 member.

Twisted steel from the North Tower that bore the impact of American Airlines Flight 11.