We Will Never Forget

This past Monday my daughter Tiffani and I 

visited the 9/11 Memorial Site 

in New York City. 

 

The 9/11 Memorial features two enormous waterfalls 

and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, 

set within the footprints 

of the original twin towers. 

 

The names inscribed on the North Pool 

represent those who perished in the 

World Trade Center North Tower,  

those on Flight 11 and the six people 

who died in the February 1993 

attack on the World Trade Center.  

The names inscribed on the South Pool 

represent those who perished in the Pentagon

and on Flights 175, 77 & 93.  

Also represented on the South Pool are 

all of the first responders who gave their lives

 helping others in the 9/11 tragedy.   

All of the names were void of decoration 

except for one flower, a beautiful calla lily, 

placed within the name David S. Lee.  

Calla lilies symbolize being somber and grave.   

The lone flower sent the simple 

yet profound message 

that someone who once loved him 

will never forget.

On the day before the 11th anniversary of 9/11, 

the mood at the Memorial Site was sober.  

 Some people seemed very reflective,  

some were incredibly sad.  

We were surrounded by hundreds 

of other people but I don't remember 

hearing anyone speak. 

Amongst the sadness, we saw reminders of hope, 

like the "Survivor Tree".   

 This pear tree became known 

as the "Survivor Tree" after sustaining 

 extensive damage, but living through 

the September 11 attacks.  

In October 2001, this tree with it's 

lifeless limbs, snapped roots and blackened trunk 

was discovered and freed 

from the piles of smoldering rubble 

in the plaza of the World Trade Center. 

 ****************

After leaving the Memorial we went to 

the 9/11 Visitor's Center.  

We started to watch a video 

about the 9/11 victims and survivors.  

Tiffani decided to walk away but I chose to stay, 

tears rolling down my face.   

A young man who lost his mom on 9/11 

was being interviewed.  

He talked about how badly 

his heart still hurts and how much 

he misses her every single day.  

He will never forget.

Those of us who were not directly affected 

by the tragedy on 9/11 

don't have that same ache in our hearts.  

Yet still, we will never forget.