I am always deeply moved on the anniversary of 9/11. I always take the time to listen and grieve on this day for all of the people and principals that were lost that day. This year was no different, except it being the 10 year anniversary. There was some great news coverage and wonderful stories to see. But, I found myself also celebrating on this day. Why? It had to do with a wonderful documentary on the Discovery Channel entitled
"Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero." http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/the-rising/
If you ever get a chance to watch this, please do. It has multiple segments and really is a great telling of how this place of horror is being rebuilt to reflect the past and the present hope. I learned about a lot of unique people, that have been working for 10 years to make this site what is it today and will be in the future. There was so much thought, attention and sensitivity in all of the decisions. From the type of cement used to the details inside the museum.
Did you know:
......That the fountains are placed at the footprints of where the original twin towers stood. That they are the largest fountains in America and that the head plumber, Jimmy Walsh, who worked on the site from day one, lost his mother in the towers? But, he wanted to honor her, and gave his expertise to this project. He mourned and honors her there.
.....There is a single pear tree that survived the initial explosion and was found days later in the rubble. It was named 'The Survivor Tree.' That one man, Ron Vega, spent the last 10 years nurturing that tree and helping it grow so that it could come back to the plaza? Its there, part of the new park, and its growing and thriving.
.....That the iron workers who are work the balance beams in the sky continue their family tradition by taking the trade that their dad's did? You may ask why this is significant? Well, their dad's helped build the first World Trade Centers, and they wanted to give back.
......That each of the names of the lost are engraved on beautiful bronze plaques that surround the fountains. And that the Architect, Michael Arad, spent a year plus making sure that the names were connected? See the family members could submit requests and ask that their loved one be placed by certain names of friends and co-workers. And Mr. Arad and fellow associates worked diligently to make this happen, with over 3000 names.
......That Lee Lelpi lost his son in this tragedy, created a memorial across the street and was a catalyst in making this project happen. He has been at this site for 10 years.
.......Each worker goes to work on this site, knowing that they are creating history. That they are the beacons on hope, per say, of New York. Like one of them said, 'We are making something now! We are creating something for everyone to believe in again.'
......That there were some wonderful truck drivers who carried glass from Seattle, The Tridents from original Twin Towers, the Survivor Tree into New York City, late at night and became part of history themselves, because they brought the history to the site.
......The workers on the new World Trade Center worked diligently to make a floor a day so that the building could rise up to 1000 ft. for the anniversary? Crazy, Crazy stuff when you see how this building is being built.
I could go on and on. Yes, there was tremendous sadness on this day and yes, it changed just about everything. But these men and women who have been giving their time and expertise to this project have done so with honor. Some of them were there, searching through the rubble, for weeks. Now, they work there, creating and rebuilding. They seem like hero's to me, creating a place of life, out of so much death.
As we all know, hero's come in all shapes and sizes. And today, mine wear hard hats, with tool belts. They swing/walk on beams a 1000 ft up. The work the cement, they carry plans, they create the largest fountains, they nurture and care for the artifacts that belong in the museum. They engrave names and personally treat each name with respect. They live and love in that neighborhood, when they could have moved. And, they water trees, all to make a place of hope. Now, if that isn't a hero, I am not sure what is.
"Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero." http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/the-rising/
If you ever get a chance to watch this, please do. It has multiple segments and really is a great telling of how this place of horror is being rebuilt to reflect the past and the present hope. I learned about a lot of unique people, that have been working for 10 years to make this site what is it today and will be in the future. There was so much thought, attention and sensitivity in all of the decisions. From the type of cement used to the details inside the museum.
Did you know:
......That the fountains are placed at the footprints of where the original twin towers stood. That they are the largest fountains in America and that the head plumber, Jimmy Walsh, who worked on the site from day one, lost his mother in the towers? But, he wanted to honor her, and gave his expertise to this project. He mourned and honors her there.
.....There is a single pear tree that survived the initial explosion and was found days later in the rubble. It was named 'The Survivor Tree.' That one man, Ron Vega, spent the last 10 years nurturing that tree and helping it grow so that it could come back to the plaza? Its there, part of the new park, and its growing and thriving.
.....That the iron workers who are work the balance beams in the sky continue their family tradition by taking the trade that their dad's did? You may ask why this is significant? Well, their dad's helped build the first World Trade Centers, and they wanted to give back.
......That each of the names of the lost are engraved on beautiful bronze plaques that surround the fountains. And that the Architect, Michael Arad, spent a year plus making sure that the names were connected? See the family members could submit requests and ask that their loved one be placed by certain names of friends and co-workers. And Mr. Arad and fellow associates worked diligently to make this happen, with over 3000 names.
......That Lee Lelpi lost his son in this tragedy, created a memorial across the street and was a catalyst in making this project happen. He has been at this site for 10 years.
.......Each worker goes to work on this site, knowing that they are creating history. That they are the beacons on hope, per say, of New York. Like one of them said, 'We are making something now! We are creating something for everyone to believe in again.'
......That there were some wonderful truck drivers who carried glass from Seattle, The Tridents from original Twin Towers, the Survivor Tree into New York City, late at night and became part of history themselves, because they brought the history to the site.
......The workers on the new World Trade Center worked diligently to make a floor a day so that the building could rise up to 1000 ft. for the anniversary? Crazy, Crazy stuff when you see how this building is being built.
I could go on and on. Yes, there was tremendous sadness on this day and yes, it changed just about everything. But these men and women who have been giving their time and expertise to this project have done so with honor. Some of them were there, searching through the rubble, for weeks. Now, they work there, creating and rebuilding. They seem like hero's to me, creating a place of life, out of so much death.
As we all know, hero's come in all shapes and sizes. And today, mine wear hard hats, with tool belts. They swing/walk on beams a 1000 ft up. The work the cement, they carry plans, they create the largest fountains, they nurture and care for the artifacts that belong in the museum. They engrave names and personally treat each name with respect. They live and love in that neighborhood, when they could have moved. And, they water trees, all to make a place of hope. Now, if that isn't a hero, I am not sure what is.
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