9.11.2011

Never Forget




My daughter lived/still lives 4 blocks from ground zero. On 9/11/01 while she was working out on the rooftop of her gym, they watched as a plane hit the north tower. Like most who witnessed that first plane, they couldn't believe their eyes and were merely confused and puzzled,  but went downstairs, turned on the TV and soon got the horrific news. 15 minutes later, Tracy had left the gym and as she reached the corner of Bleeker and Laguardia Place (you New Yorkers will know where this is), she saw the second plane go into the south tower. By the time the first tower collapsed, everyone realized what had happened and they were in a panic and running. We were speaking on cell phones at this point....in the background I could hear the terror in people's voices. She asked me what was being reported on the news as everyone around her thought there would be further attacks and bombs would soon follow. I can only imagine what she and other New Yorkers lived through during those hours and I will never forget how terrified I was for her. She took refuge that night with a friend. The police allowed her to return to her apartment on 9/12 to get clothes but after that, she was unable to return to her apartment for a couple months. She was one of the lucky ones.


At 8:46am this morning, ten years ago, American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.


At 9:03am this morning, ten years ago, United Airlines Flight 175 was flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.


At 9:37am this morning, ten years ago, American Airlines Flight 77 flew into the Pentagon.

At 9:59am this morning, ten years ago,  the South Tower collapsed.


At 10:15am this morning, ten years ago, the official notification of the downing of United Airlines Flight 93 into a field at Shanksville, Pa. was received by the feds.

At 10:28am this morning, ten years ago,  the North Tower collapsed.

This is a day to honor the 2,977 innocent men, women, and children who lost their lives. Let nothing overshadow their memories today.




                                                                      Let me introduce you to Tribute in Light:


Artists Julian LaVerdiere and Paul Myoda worked on the 91st floor of the World Trade Center’s north tower. Like most of us, they watched the towers collapse. After the September 11th attacks, the pair wanted to fill the void. They collaborated to create “Tribute in Light,” an art installation of searchlights pointing skyward, creating the impressive towers of light where the Twin Towers once stood. 

My daughter knows Julian, one of the artists (she actually got to turn the lights on once) and she worked hard to raise money for the project. LaVerdiere and Myoda have re-imagined their work for the cover of TIME’s “Beyond 9/11” Special Commemorative Edition.

The first two of the following photos were taken with an iPhone as Tracy walked along a couple nights ago. You can see the lights in the background.
The last two she took several years ago.







Please God, let everyone be safe on this anniversary.




19 comments:

  1. It was a very sad day... I witnessed it all via TV, but it was nonetheless terrible enough.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Those lights... so beautiful. It was a perfect tribute to what had been there before... place lives the feeling of being safe... all gone. I remember so many things from that day so clearly.

    The thing that is playing over and over is the sound of a gut-wrenching wail from a Park SLope, Brooklyn neighbor who had a husband at WTC... I will never forget that sound. For our whole block that was out on the street, dazed.... time stopped at that sound and everything that had happened sunk in.

    Yes. Let us hope the day is quiet.

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  3. Nice tribute Barbara. I will never forget too!!! beautiful post, xxgloria

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  4. No one will forget..
    You must have been so frightened for your daughter..You are so right she was one of the lucky ones..

    Those hands of fate.

    Thank you for all the photos.
    Those lights are glorious.

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  5. You must have been so scared for your daughter. I was scared, and I was in Florida at the time. What an awful day.
    I find it so hard to watch the tributes on TV because it just makes me feel so deeply sad.
    I am so glad your daughter was kept safe.
    *kisses* HH

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  6. What a terrifying experience. The photographs are very special. I'm so glad you shared them.

    The Tribute in Light is so poignantly beautiful. Thank your daughter for sharing the photos with us.

    As to your prayer. . . Amen.

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  7. What a horrific experience for your daughter (and you), as well as everyone else directly affected by that day's events. I was watching everything on television...I can't imagine what it must have been like to be in the thick of it.

    My heart goes out to everyone who lost someone.

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  8. Lovely tribute Barbara and your daughter is so very lucky. I watched television in horror that day. Things will never be quite the same again.
    Sam

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  9. The Knight and I were just talking about Tracy and how VERY personal this all still must be for her and the others who truly LIVED through those days and weeks.

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  10. The light installation is very beautiful. I am glad your daughter was safe that day.

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  11. Ms. Barbara -- truly extraordinary piece. a riveting account of what your daughter went through (and your vicarious involvement via phone!) that day.

    thank you so much for sharing with us her friends and the light memorial. people are so talented. i join you in your well-wishes for our country and its protection, girl.

    i've got some making up to do on your posts (with this new consulting gig). always love when you read one of my humble offerings and leave an appreciative comment!

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  12. HOW cool to see those iphone shots!!! Thank you!!!!!


    m ^..^

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  13. How horrific that day must have been for your daughter, but how lovely that she was involved with the art project. I can't believe it's been 10 years.

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  14. Thank you for sharing this personal connection to that sad, sad day. What a blessing that your daughter was safe.

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  15. I can only imagine how worried you must have been about your daughter, Barbara. To be so close to such terror must have been awful. I've been praying all weekend that we all would be safe this weekend from any further attacks.

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  16. It must have been scary for your daughter, having been so close. Thank you for sharing your memories and photos.

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  17. Dear God Barbara, this makes me weep all over again; I'm not a New Yorker and in fact, have never visited New York but I remember that day . . . glued to the television as was the entire nation . . . not sure at first what had happened but when we saw the 2nd plane hit the tower as Brian Williams was reporting from the top of a building, I knew it wasn't an accident. 10 years later, I find my emotions raw; we had to fly home from Oregon yesterday . . . 9-11-11 and we were on United . . .

    am so thankful your daughter was lucky (((hugs)))

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  18. Such a sad day. It must have been terrifying for your daughter. Thank goodness she was no closer.

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  19. Hi Barbara,

    What a frighting day for your daughter and you waiting anxiously at home.
    So glad that she was safe.
    Lovely tribute and yes, let everyone be safe.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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