We took the kids downtown tonight to a “Healing Field Memorial” in honor of the those that lost their lives on 9/11. It was humble to walk up and around the corner to see the grounds covered with flags. One flag for every person. In addition to the flags – some had yellow bows – first responders. Some had blue bows – those aboard the planes. And there were teddy bears to mark the lives of children that were lost.
Every one of them had a story. They had lives. Some had wives and children. Some were just starting their careers young and hungry. Some were immigrants. Some weren’t meant to be there at all. They all have loved ones who are mourning their loss and we learned about some of those individuals tonight.
My older kids read as many cards as they could – they told the person’s name, age, occupation and a little tidbit about them. They were eager to share with us some of the people they learned about as they walked through the field.
Tonight these people became more than a number; they have a story like each one of us.
We remember.
I live in CT, which has many residents who commute into NYC for work. On the 10th anniversary of 9/11,I went to hear a minister speak. He stood on the entrance to one of the towers as the firefighters went in. Most firefighters took off their wedding rings and gave them to him to hold for them. They knew the odds of their survival was very low. He had a pocket full of rings that no one ended up claiming. Eventually he found the correct homes for all of them.
I was in awe and still am of the courage each firefighter had to enter the buildings knowing they were going to their own death but the duty and honor they had to help anyone that they possibly could.
Thanks for sharing. Living on the west coast, we don’t often hear stories of people that were directly effected from the events of September 11th, which is why I’m so grateful that this healing memorial is set up every year. It’s a reminder to us all that although we didn’t lose someone we loved, plenty of families did and it’s important to remember them – especially those that sacrificed themselves in an effort to save others.