Contents of blog copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2023
I've been gone a while. I started reading fanfiction to escape and I got sucked in an abyss.

I have no idea if someone else is hosting similar challenges. I just grabbed some of what I have hosted before.

Here's to a happy year of great reading
Jan2023: Not much has changed. Writing a fanfiction now O_o as well as reading but I bought 7 new books in December and hope to get those read soon. Crossing fingers about adding challenges (late!)

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Do You Still Remember?




The terrorist attack was not limited to the Twin Towers, nor are the memorials limited to New York or even the United States.


This is the National Memorial using the footprints of the two towers. I have not visited although over 8 million have since it opened. There is sky where tower once stood. The foundations were in near-mint condition and one of the design requirements was that they be used somehow.
Michael Arad explained his intention and the importance of the highlighting the voids with water in Places magazine: "My idea was that you would be able to stand on the plaza above, and look down into the north and south pools. I thought the edge of this void would be where you would come to understand the enormity of the event, and of the destruction." (Places, May 2009) The impact, indeed, is just that. The depth and the breadth of the voids are impressive and visitors cannot help but be struck with awe, standing at the edges of the dramatic waterfalls. Voices
The Memorial's symbolism is subtle but powerful, and speaks of tolerance and inclusivity, rather than of revenge or pride. The memorial does not soar above the surrounding buildings, nor does it shock with overt patriotism and bold colors. Rather, by being located among trees, it provides a lovely public park space and repose from the hectic marathon that is New York City's daily life. The living park surrounding the actual memorial was always a part of Michael Arad's intent, as he wanted to balance the needs of the people who would come to the site specifically to mourn and the New Yorkers carrying on with their everyday lives.



This is the Empty Sky Memorial in New Jersey in honor of the memory of 746 New Jersey lives lost.

Names are placed randomly on the twin brushed stainless steel walls. Individuals' names (4 inches tall) are within reach and engraved deep enough for hand rubbing. The memorial, designed by Jessica Jamroz and Frederic Schwartz, was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2011. The brushed stainless steel twin walls are 210 feet long, the width of each side of the World Trade Center Towers. They rise 30 feet, standing parallel to each other with a 12-foot wide paved path of bluestone between them. Like the World Trade Center, the stainless steel reflects the constantly changing light of day. The memorial invites visitors to literally and metaphorically look toward the empty sky in memory and look forward as a community.



This one is in Israel, located in Jerusalem’s Arazim Park, commemorates the victims of the terrorist attacks and stands as a reminder of shared loss and a call for collective understanding.











This is just a few of the images I was able to find online. I hope my formatting comes through and you are able to experience the peace as well as sorrow I experienced while researching this post.


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

2 comments:

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

Wonderful, Gina. Thank you.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I'm glad you shared these as I hadn't seen pics of them before--only the new Freedom Tower. I haven't been back to NYC since 3 months after the attacks (I was also there 3 months before), so I'm overdue a visit!

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In accordance to the FTC guidelines, I must state that I make no monetary gains from my reviews or endorsements here on Book Dragon's Lair. All books I review are either borrowed, purchased by me, given as a gift, won in some kind of contest, or received in exchange for an honest review.