Liberty State Park 9-11 Memorial

 

I thought I was done with 9-11 memorialization on the 11th9-11 but that evening on the spur of the moment a buddy suggested we see the Liberty State Park 9-11 Memorial, which I had not yet experienced and was admittedly, only vaguely aware of.

 

 

 

We were not the only ones who had the idea. Hundreds – not an overwhelming crowd but still a crowd – had come, the parking fee was waived for the evening, The memorial consists of some beams from the World Trade Center in the foreground and two large shiny steel slabs on which the names of the New Jersey victims of the attacks are inscribed. The slabs are parallel and they form an aisle through which you walk and it is said the slabs are as wide as the actual trade center buildings.

 

 

Freedom lights I think they’re called – the two beams that shine out of the exact spot of the original twin towers on 9-11 (and some other occasions) – were lit, across the river. You walk through the memorial two the guard rail to get a better view of the dual lights, which are poignantly visible above the edges of the slabs. It’s well thought-out, tasteful and moving memorial.

Small groups – twos, and threes, and fours, gathered by specific names – loved ones obviously. They pointed, they traced their finger along the engraving, hugged each other. A few tears, a sigh – uncontrollable grief is over. The struggle of acceptance has been won.