My Experience at the 9/11 Memorial

It’s hard for me to remember 9/11/2001. I remember sitting in school, doing work like usual, and the teachers all told us to quietly get up and move into an assembly room. As I went to school at a Jewish Day School in a very populated suburb of Boston, they had concerns about our safety. Everyone around the country who was near any city was concerned about safety. The country essentially shut down for close to 24 hours until what happened could be sorted out. I can say I remember that day, but I can honestly say I don’t remember what the world was like pre-9/11 security.

The events on 9/11 changed the way the world works. I can’t remember a time when metal detectors and X-Ray machines weren’t standard, or expected.  It’s been a part of the way my generation has grown up.

Not having a visceral memory of the events, I came into this memorial hoping to feel and experience what had happened over 11 years ago. One of my mother’s coworkers’ husband was John Ogonowski, the pilot of flight 11, the first flight that hit the north tower, but I still had trouble connecting with the events of that day.

The memorial did it for me. The sheer majesty and magnitude of the sight hits hard right as you walk through the gate, while walking the grounds makes you realize the sheer size of the buildings that once stood here. The design of the memorial is spectacular, as the symbolism of the water flowing through the footprints of the buildings is detailed all the way down to the opening under the nameplates where you can actually reach in and touch the water. It’s striking. I only saw a few people who looked like they were mourning the loss of a loved one, but to see their anguish as they placed yellow flowers on the plaque next to the name of those they lost was unbelievably powerful. The site is incredible.

We were also fortunate that we stayed long enough to see the lights come on in the pools as well as underneath the names. The water is lit up so it appears as though they create another dimension, making the pool look twice as large. Each droplet gets a sliver of light as it cascades into the center. The names each get backlighting as well, as you can see in the photos below.

To be able to take a moment of silence, a moment of reflection, and a moment of peace at this memorial is something I’m glad I had the opportunity to do. To imagine all those who did not or will not have the opportunity to make it to New York to see this beautiful representation of a horrific tragedy is difficult, and proximity is one thing definitely on a student in NYC’s side. It was tragic, moving, and remarkable, and I can’t wait to visit again.