9/11 & Vietnam Memorials

I wasn’t exactly sure what we were supposed to look for or notice when we were walking around. As I continued to notice more things about the memorial, I started to realize what it was that we’re supposed to notice. Of course it was with the help of others… Cale explained that the way the water pours out of the sides of the memorial, it’s supposed to reflect on how the texture of the towers looked. Once, I got some clarifications on that I understood… It was really cool how the texture could be somewhat replicated with water.

I don’t remember who told me this, but I thought it was really interesting that apparently the way this memorial was built is to be in contrast with all the tall buildings around it. All the buildings are going up and the memorial is going down into the ground. I’m sorry whoever it was! I’m not quite sure what that is supposed to represent but I think it may show that at this place we were left with a void. Here was a time when there was a flaw in the city. These buildings were not supposed to come down, yet they did and that was the flaw. We lost many people. Families were left with an emptiness and unclear answers as to where their loved one is.

However, to counter that mishap and the death that surrounded it, the area is now filled with life. I once interviewed a police officer who helped out during the clean up. He said that it smelt like a death camp. Now, there is no death, but constant life. I looked around and I realized that the memorial was bustling with lively people. Even once the day is done and the memorial is closed there are still trees all around that keep up the life whether it is day or night. Also, water is a source of life and everything surrounds the fountains.

I don’t know how I would compare the 9/11 Memorial to the Vietnam Memorial but I did find something interesting while I was looking at the Vietnam Memorial. I realized as I was looking from a side view at the memorial, it seemed to me as if the walkways to go to the other side of the structure was a walkway to enter the horrors of the war. On either side there were letter from soldiers to loved ones about what was going on at the time. As we’re walking through the memorial, we’re walking through their memories. I also kind of saw it as I looked slightly through the walkway.

Also, I noticed that this isn’t the whole memorial… It starts off way to the side of this structure with a map of the war and then an aisle with the names of those who have fallen on the sides. To add to the thought I just wrote about, it seemed to me as if I was walking towards the horror scenes… The structure was walking in the horror scenes.

So I guess to contrast the memorials I could say that the Vietnam Memorial is a walk to remember the death and horror while the 9/11 Memorial also incorporates our proclamation of continual life.