I wonder how much money with that memorial when they built it. Then again, knowing the bureaucracy that was involved, it even took some time to get it done as well. Then again, that was pretty much the case for the rest of the site not to mention how much of a boondoggle everything there has become. This is why to this day, I will always be saying this in response to what went there, "Don't look at me, I wanted the Twin Towers rebuilt."
Got to give a rant here: for years I fought to restore the Koenig Sphere, banged up and torn in the attacks, but still stood amongst the massive rubble of Ground Zero, and embraced as a symbol of strength and perseverance, to the site and incorporate it into the memorial. I was told by memorial officials and Arad, the architect, that it did not belong back on the site (!) and returning it would tell people what to think (!!). It would um, “remind them of the attacks” (!!!). It would infringe upon the integrity of the memorial” (!!!!). I finally had to accept Liberty Park, overlooking the south side of the memorial. Google WTC Sphere and my name. Times had several artifacts on it. Now, Arad buys stones, has them weathered in work shops and plops them at Ground Zero as symbols of strength and perseverance. Never underestimate the ego of the artist.
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@Michael Burke
You are aware that there was the idea to get rid of anything that was a reminder of the original WTC from the start especially when it would make people ask why wasn't it just rebuilt but only better rather than ending up with what we have there now.
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Where was Mayor DeBlasio? Where was Governor Cuomo?
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Dedication Shame. Neither Governor Cuomo or DeBlaisio attended this Memorial Service. That’s the dirty shame
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Gee -- Didn't Christine Todd Whitman say it was perfectly safe to work at Ground Zero? Has anyone talked to her recently about that pronouncement?
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You think of all the workers during the clean up that utilized St. Paul’s Church for meals and rest during the aftermath of 9/11.
The church was a respite during those days and hours. Now perhaps it would be a worthy symbol of prayer and peace for those who suffered afterward because of their passion and work to restore that Manhattan area.
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We can spend hundreds of millions addressing the needs of the human waves crossing our borders and billions in foreign aid of clandestine operations and financial support but here we have drawn a line against our very own.
How very sad.
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The government lied. People died. But not end of story. Karma and justice may be slow in coming. But together with truth they will eventually arrive.
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At this time, people should remember what Hillary Clinton did for the heroes of 9/11. And what Trump, and many Republicans, didn't.
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it was one of the darkest day for our country, if l may ask this, 13 of these gang members were SAUDI ARABIAN'S , why we are selling to these murderers millions of dollars guns, oh l am sorry l do forget that Mr.Trump's son of law KUSHNER has bussiness conection there, god bless America
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Maybe one day we'll learn how this all happened. Growing up in NYC and having friends on the FDNY- I know they shared they were going to put out the fire, which is why they were going up the staircases.
The rapid 'collapse' was not caused by the wacky theories given.
Their testimony, not entered by the Commission, states that.
The structure was designed to withstand an impact that happened that day. Two buildings pancaking in minutes? As my Dad would say- 'Where's your common sense?' So sad to just be left with memorials while the insurance $$ re-built the Freedom Tower.
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@Dennis McSorley Not just two buildings pancaking in minutes, but a third building right next to them. No other steel high rise had ever done so that was not being deliberately demolished. None has ever done so since. Three thousand architects and engineers want a new investigation.
i volunteered on the boats docked in the harbor that were food and rest spots for the workers who came as rescue workers but there was nobody to rescue, and their search dogs. people and dogs were covered in the dust. it was everywhere, on everything.
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We serviced a machine in an account just north of the towers in 2001. A service call came in a few months after 9/11, this gave me the chance to see my first Manhattan territory from 1987, 101 Barkley, 22 Cortlandt, 40 West, and 5 WTC. Walking around the perimeter there was a noxious acrid odor permeating the site that I had never smelled before or since. Just a couple of hours later, the fumes left me wheezing for the rest of the day and this was three months after the attack.
Days after 9/11, I remember Christine Todd Whitman, then head of the Environmental Protection Agency declaring the air quality around the site as safe. For the most part she has gotten a pass for that because I'm pretty sure she was just following orders.
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The "we go" mindset should have been anticipated. Once the site be came a recovery operation, all work should have stopped until everyone was properly equipped with hazmat suits, breathable air and proper post-shift decontamination.
I read the linked report which said workers were in tee-shirts, shorts and had no respiratory protection. They worked on a surface with temperatures up to 2000F. I remember riding home on the Staten Island Ferry in mid-October in silence as we saw recovery workers. They had contaminants on themselves which they were bringing home.
We lived near Rescue 5 and Engine 160 who lost 11 members. We took our kids, all dressed up as firefighters, to the company's quarters for the ensuing Halloween. We took photos with the guys and I'll never forget what one of them said, "So what we're doing is we're telling everyone to be sure that they have a smoke detector in every room with a door that closes, it's very important."
Amidst all their grief they were still looking out for us.
Do I have to say it? Why did we fail these guys?
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In memory of LAFD paramedic Wendy Cummings who traveled all the way to New York to assist with the recovery efforts. Wendy lost her battle with a rare lung cancer three years ago amid a bureaucratic quagmire of conflicting attitudes as to the cause of her illness, the responsibility for her treatment and financial support in her final months.
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Well, y'all reminded me, so.. A few years ago, I finally decided to talk to one of the NY lawyer firms that specialize in these things. There was quite a list of requirements to prove I was where when, that might have led to my eventually developing stage 4 thyroid cancer, in 2009/10. "Anomalous", the doctors said, my Verizon retirement health plan took care of a large proportion of the cost, and I live. At the same time, Verizon never followed up with staffers it could easily determine might have been affected by 9/11 - I was product manager for backbone networks both on Wall Street and at the DoD in Virginia, and spent the next eight months of my life commuting between LaGuardia and Washington National to recover the nation's essential infrastructure (no hard feelings, that was my job). I never plucked up the courage to reconstruct my 9/11 and its aftermath - where was I, who did I talk to, the entire episode was (and is) shrouded in what I guess they call "the fog of war". Yes, I know about the Zadroga Act - just never plucked up the courage to follow that up, not having the feeling I should have to prove anything..
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Some might find it petty to point out that Hillary Clinton, with all of her flaws, fought to get benefits for the heroes of 9/11, while Trump took money that he (allegedly) didn't need, and that the Republicans opposed compensation and benefits. Maybe it is, but it's also true. I'm going with truth.
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@Dave
I am glad that you gave her credit because she did work and work relentlessly, for New Yorkers in the aftermath of 9/11. I cringe that you felt the need to add "with all of her flaws."
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There are many reasons why the nation has yet to put 9/11 behind us, and this article covers one of them. Another is that we are still involved in the wars we started in its aftermath, with no definition of success. Another -- and I am aware of what I say -- is that we still have no clear narrative as to what happened that day. The 9/11 Commission had no real powers to investigate, and there is considerable evidence that foreign governments, not just actors, had a role. We often talk about the fall of the twin towers. It took some prodding for me to remember that there was a third tower that fell in New York that day. If this fact is hazy to you, and you have the fortitude, I encourage you to do some research.
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I have alerted my wife about this memorial. Her father was a NYC sanitation engineer who helped with the 9-11 cleanup, and subsequently died of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Perhaps we can arrange to have his name included.
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I just read Mitchell Zuckoff's book "Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11". While heartbreaking to read, it is a book every American should read, especially those who were too young to remember that terrible day. Mr. Zuckoff states that more people died after 9/11 from health problems sustained that day or during the cleanup than died in the planes or building collapses. I'm glad these victims are finally being recognized and remembered, also.
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In addition to the physical suffering and death caused to those who took part in the rescue and recovery efforts, there is also the psychological damage to those survivors who were present in the Towers and the nearby areas who witnessed the horrors as the buildings burned and collapsed. I would bet there are thousands who still suffer from anxiety, nightmares, and other psychological tolls of the attacks.
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Long past due, but still much appreciated.
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I supported the rescue workers from McGuire AFB in New Jersey an hour drive south of the Towers. These rescue people from across America slept at the base and convoyed in each day. Several times each week, the base commander would have the senior rescue person brief the base leadership. I will never forget that one of those briefings he said that many of the people on the pit would die within ten years from the dust and gases. There were at least 20-30 people in the room when he said that, and I was surprised that the Federal Government was slow in supporting those rescue workers who had gotten ill. We owe them all a great big thanks.
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Nice idea. But an even better Memorial would be to ensure future funding for the Zadroga Act.
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It's a monument to Republican's unwillingness to allocate any money to help first responders.
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And at the dedication ceremony for the Memorial Gade, the principal speaker should be former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman. She can tell the assembled crowd that, while the air might not smell so good, it is safe to breathe.
I don't know how she can sleep at night.
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@RM I think of her every time I read about another one of these selfless people dying. I was stunned the day she came out and said it, and quite frankly did not believe it.Easy for me to say, sitting in Chicago.
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@RM and @RAR Rick's article is terrific and RM's reply is spot on. IMO, CTW's advice during that time was horrific and probably caused many first responders to go against their better judgment and help to the point of exhaustion. We should support all of the workers who gave so much in the time after 9/11.
Blind faith in politicians and administrators is never a good idea. Trust but verify.
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@RM - and lets not forget Giuliani. As mayor he decided not to issue respirators to the Ground Zero workers.
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Just as we remember, honor and mourn those who lost their lives in the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, we must also do the same for the rescue and recovery works whose efforts enabled a great city to move forward and recover from such a tragedy.
Their efforts must be recognized and they should feel the full weight of our gratitude for their selflessness and sacrifice.
From a grateful American, thank you all.
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Well said
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Rescue workers and first responders need and deserve our help and support. We need to help them especially now when good people are under attack by forces inside the White House. All the those who worked in and around the fallen towers are American heroes. Let's make their efforts mean something.
The photo of Jon Stewart truly moved me. For years I counted on him to explain the day's events. No one did it better. If we are looking for a voice to explain the impeachment process and lead us through it Jon Stewart is our man.
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