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Visiting the 9/11 Memorial Part of my recent family visit to NYC included the 9/11 memorial. On a personal level I found it a bit distressing because the whole process is quite commercialized. They had hawkers selling 8 by 10 glossies and a shop full of the usual souvenir trinkets. I understand the reasoning that all of the money raised goes to support the memorial but somehow it seems too commercial for such a solemn place. My individual feelings aside this was a big occasion for us. My nephew was one of the first responders and spent weeks with his crew working there. It cost him his health. His lungs permanently damaged. Each morning he coughs up all sorts of stuff but then goes on with his day. He is being followed by one of the health studies so his medical care is covered but that cannot take away the ongoing threat of cancer from all of the toxic chemicals he was exposed to. However when asked if he would do it again his answer is “without question because it is the thing to do”. His crew included 2 former military men, one a medic who had served 2 tours of combat duty. He said that what he saw on 9/11 was far worse than anything he had ever seen in the military. While Chris never showed any PTSD symptoms he seldom talked about what he experience. However, over the years he shared quite a bit with me and my . It was beyond description. After his work was completed he never went back to the site until last month with us. As we walked around the site he shared his personal photos of the same areas as he saw and experienced them on the day of the disaster and those immediately following. It appears to have been very healing and helped him to move on from the experience. He left a CD of his personal photos with the museum developers. No media was allowed on site in the first days so photos taken by those who worked there are all that exist to document the details of their work. He also decided he will contribute his personal memorabilia as well. Visiting the memorial is a moving experience in itself but there is no way to adequately explain the feeling of experiencing it as I did. This is a photo of Chris taken on this visit.  Spiritwoman ^i^ |
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Interesting posting Spirit. It would certainly give someone like your nephew a whole different perspective of the 9/11 site.
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It was a terrible disaster and even thinking about it is sad and sobering. A lot of the Irish fought the fire there too. When something like that happens, if you havent seen it or experienced it, it just seem unimaginable. May all the victims rest in peace. The NYPD came to Ireland a year after and were taken on board by the Dublin Firemen. I remember when they came into our Church, I was able to shake one of your firemans hand and I felt so priviledged.
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I echo the Grouch, a very sobering and thought provoking blog. Alfie...
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Give thanks to your nephew for Alfie and me. Quite honorable of him to give his memorabelia of 9/11. Ann
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I can imagine what Chris felt. There have been disasters that I saw but the magnitude of 9/11 is beyond the imagination of many - the closest was the carnage by Pak based/sponsored (? ) group that caused 26/11 in Mumbai in 2008. It is the spirit of the people like Chris that keeps nations going !! Many thanks for sharing this, SpiritGirl.   "To fight the darkness do not draw your sword, light a candle" - Zarathustra
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11/3/2013 6:56 pm |
Interesting posting Spirit. It would certainly give someone like your nephew a whole different perspective of the 9/11 site. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/3/2013 6:58 pm |
Will do. This is the only time i have been there. I hadn't been in NYC for about 30 years until 2 years ago but managed this and the last trip while spending time on the east coast. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/3/2013 7:00 pm |
H have a great photo of the top of the new tower under construction extending into the clouds. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/3/2013 7:03 pm |
It was a terrible disaster and even thinking about it is sad and sobering. A lot of the Irish fought the fire there too. When something like that happens, if you havent seen it or experienced it, it just seem unimaginable. May all the victims rest in peace. The NYPD came to Ireland a year after and were taken on board by the Dublin Firemen. I remember when they came into our Church, I was able to shake one of your firemans hand and I felt so priviledged. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/3/2013 7:03 pm |
Give thanks to your nephew for Alfie and me. Quite honorable of him to give his memorabelia of 9/11. Ann Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/3/2013 7:05 pm |
Prayers are appreciated. Time will tell but we all keep positive thoughts. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/3/2013 7:07 pm |
I can imagine what Chris felt. There have been disasters that I saw but the magnitude of 9/11 is beyond the imagination of many - the closest was the carnage by Pak based/sponsored (? ) group that caused 26/11 in Mumbai in 2008. It is the spirit of the people like Chris that keeps nations going !! Many thanks for sharing this, SpiritGirl. Spiritwoman ^i^
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Interesting blog Spirit. God bless your nephew. To think that I went up to one of those towers many years ago!   Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.(Khalil Gibran)
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11/4/2013 11:51 am |
It was a very uncomfortable feeling to be standing on ground that probably be standing on ground that likely has cremains in it and not be respectful. It is indeed distasteful but you know Americans - money is money and that reign supreme. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/4/2013 11:52 am |
Interesting blog Spirit. God bless your nephew. To think that I went up to one of those towers many years ago! Spiritwoman ^i^
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