Cookies and Milk: God Bless America ( NYC part 1)

10 years later - We Will Never Forget - Remembering 9-11-01

I remember this day so very clearly... I was sitting in my first hour class, my senior year in high school. The teachers turned on the tv as soon as word started spreading about the initial tragedy. I remember feeling terribly sorry for those families of the people killed in the plane crash - because at that time we all believed it to be an accident. Fear soon joined this emotion when I witnessed the second plane crash into the other tower, live. The entire rest of the day was spent watching ongoing footage from the 4 airplane crashes and discussing hear-say details among friends. I kept a journal of that day and tried to keep a time-line of the events. To look back at it now, I realize how confusing and unsettling the news truly was.

Today is especially meaningful to me, as we just got back from our first trip to New York . Touring lower Manhattan, around the area of the WTC and it's new memorial was quite amazing. My heart was so heavily burdened by the many tributes and memorials. It was also filled with pride and patriotism for our country. We are so blessed to live in such an amazing country. These are a few pictures from our visit.

The Sphere was meant to symbolize world peace through world trade, and was placed at the center of a ring of fountains in the plaza located between the two towers. After the attacks, it stands boldly in Battery Park with a plaque that reads:

"For three decades, this sculpture stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center. Entitled "The Sphere", it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. It was damaged during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country. The Sphere was placed here on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. This eternal flame was ignited on September 11, 2002 in honor of all those that were lost. Their spirit and sacrifice will never be forgotten."

We felt honored to be able to visit the beautiful Trinity Church and Saint Paul's Chapel, which we were amazed to see still standing and unscathed by the attacks due, to its location right across the street from ground zero. It opened in 1766, and is Manhattan's oldest public building that's been in continuous use. The chapel was a place where George Washington worshiped and 9/11 recovery workers and families sought comfort and relief. Now it is a place to reflect and remember; to pause for a moment and acknowledge the grief and heroism of the countless men, women, and children who have suffered from this tragedy... and of course it's a peaceful haven to bow your head and pray.

The "Trinity Root" is a bronze sculpture memorializing a 70 year old Sycamore tree that stood between Saint Paul's Chapel and the towers. This tree was considered to have "saved the church" from the collapsing towers and falling debris during the 9/11 attacks. It now stands as a symbol of hope & renewal, where "roots run deep".

The 'Bell of Hope' and the wrought-iron fence encircling the church, which once served as a memorial and message board for those searching for missing loved ones, were covered with white ribbons tied in tribute to the victims of the terror attacks.

A patriotic spirit flowed heavily throughout the crowd, as we watched a parade honoring the memory of 9/11. ( The Bagpipes were so beautiful & their melancholy sound made our hearts swell.)

The new 'One World Trade Center' or 'Freedom Tower' as it is so lovingly called, will be the tallest building in the United States and one of the tallest in the world, standing at a symbolic height of 1,776 feet in reference to the year of American Independence. It's completion is estimated for 2013, but the site and WTC Memorial was revealed on this years' 10th anniversary. It's red, white, and blue colors lit up the night sky - hopefully we will return one day to see it finished.