9/11 Memorial

My BIL Tim and I went to see the 9/11 Memorial last week while he was in town with a couple of friends. It was very sobering standing at the North and South Pools, looking down into the abyss of where WTC 1 and WTC 2 stood.  It was like they had just gone down into the ground and disappeared.  The thought crossed my mind-the building sank down into the depths of Hell itself.  9/11/01 surely was hell for a lot of people, so I don't feel like my impression was off too much.  Around both pools were listed the names of all the victims of all of the events; the Pentagon, the Towers, Flight 93, and the rescue workers who gave their lives.  It was emotional just looking at these names.  It was very real and very close. 

There is a tree there called the Survivor Tree.  It is the only tree that survived the horror and destruction of that day.  It was taken and nursed back to health in another location, then moved back to the grounds in 2010.  

There was a reverence on the grounds.  I almost didn't want to leave.  

This is a Christmas tree displayed by the NYFD with pictures and names of their fellow firefighters who did not survive the rescue effort. 
It was right next to this tribute outside the actual memorial.

St. Paul's Church is right across the street from WTC Plaza. It was miraculously undamaged on 9/11/01, and became a hub for rescue/relief efforts.  I LOVE old churches.  Obsessed. 

It was a very cool experience.  The memory of 9/11 and the feelings of sorrow, reverence and gratitude, solidarity and patriotism are alive and well in the surrounding area.  Tim asked me if the whole city still remembered like this, and I didn't think so.  The feeling of tribute is palpable on that small square mile or so of land in lower Manhattan.