Remembering 9/11/2001

They Were Our Neighbors
 -

by Dawn Colclasure

They were our neighbors,


Someone to whom we'd just say "hi."


Never did we ever think


The next day they would die.


We never took one last long look


Or gave an extra smile.


The attacks on September 11


Taught us to go that extra mile.



We'll never be able to hug them again


But now we can hug others.


And say an extra "I love you"


To our children, friends and mothers.

We miss our neighbors every day


And wish they were not gone.


But we'll cherish those that are still here


While we will move on.

The local Red Cross in Buffalo put out 2,917

flags in memory of those who died.

Today is the 11th anniversary of 9/11 -

we will never forget.




photos by peacesojourner

10th Anniversary of 9/11

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 11:

The Freedom Tower is seen during the tenth anniversary ceremonies of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center site, September 11, 2011 in New York City.

New York City and the nation commemorated the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks which resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people after two hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia and one crash landed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images)

The Waterfall at the base of the Freedom Tower

Ariel view of Ground Zero site as looks today

Family members of the victims leave messages and tokens of

love on the memorial walls

Sunday Reflection - Ground Zero, NYC - part III

Today is the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 -

I wrote this reflection and took the photos two years ago but it still seems relevant today.

*****

Ground Zero, New York City

"I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.”

Lamentations 3:20-21

The architects visions depicting the future site of Ground Zero are pictured

on the fences around the construction site

Artists depiction of Ground Zero construction site

Construction in progress at Ground Zero

Muslim woman prays quietly while holding her Koran

as she looks out at the former site of the Twin Towers

One World Trade Center - The Freedom Tower

will be the new address

*****

The following reflection was written by Sister Grace a staff person at St. Paul's Chapel:

For the first time in months, I felt myself wondering if we would ever heal from this tragedy. Would New Yorkers be okay? Would the workers be okay? Would I?

That's when I heard it - a rustling noise, and a light and cheery chirp. It seemed to be coming from above me, so I stopped and looked up into the gnarled old tree I had wandered under. This tree too had debris in it, bunched up in half a dozen places where the branches were close together, like fingers that had reached out and grabbed their prize and were now unwilling to let go.

To my astonishment, those bits and pieces of debris had literally been transformed - made new - and were being used by the birds in their nests. And you could hear the birds chirping to each other with joy. They had no idea that this debris was from a tragic and destructive event. All they knew was that they had been given material they could use to build their nests, the safe place they would use to hatch and rear their young.

I could feel the tears falling down my cheeks as I stood there in awe and wonder. I realized that somehow, everything was going to be alright. 


Sister Grace, St. Paul's Chapel,

Ground Zero,New York City

*****

In and around the twin towers there were 2752 deaths, while 189 people died when a plane was flown into the Pentagon. Another 44 were killed when a hijacked jet crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.

"I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.” Lamentations 3:20-21

*****

Photos by peacesojourner

St Paul's Chapel - Ground Zero, NYC - part II

I took these photos at Ground Zero two years ago -

Tomorrow marks the tenth anniversary.

Flag of Honor reads:

'This flag contains the names of those killed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Now and forever it will represent their immortality.

We shall never forget them'

(each name is typed on the flag)

Senbazuru, Japanese Peace Cranes, are symbolic of how St. Paul's Chapel brought together people of all nations and religions in its ministry of compassion and reconciliation.

These origami peace cranes represent a fraction of the thousands of these Shinto offerings the Chapel received from school children and other groups--the most precious of which came from survivors of the WWII bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

A few of the thousands of Teddy bears sent from around the world to

provide comfort to the survivors and families

The Bell of Hope was a gift to New York from the people of London after the 2001 terrorist attack.

It rang again in a tiny chapel near ground zero -- this time with New Yorkers mourning those who died in Britain.

 (July - 2005) The world's latest terrorism victims were remembered at St. Paul's Chapel, which had served as a sanctuary for rescue workers who prayed, washed and wept there after the World Trade Center assault.

The 5-foot, 650-pound bell, known as the Bell of Hope, was given to New Yorkers on Sept. 11, 2002. It was cast by London's Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which also cast

the Liberty Bell and London's Big Ben.


A glimpse of the fence that became a memorial to those who

died in the World Towers Buildings

It reads: After September 11th, thousands of visitors from around the world flocked the sidewalks around St. Paul's and posted ribbons, letters, photographs and numerous personal items on the fence. People transformed the wrought iron into a spontaneous memorial, expressing their anguish and loss.

View of construction of new buildings taking place across

the street from St Paul's Chapel

Construction that was taking place at Ground Zero in 2009

*****

As we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11 we continue to pray for the

families and friends of those who died, that they may eventually find some peace of mind.

*****

Photos by peacesojourner

St Paul's Chapel - Ground Zero, NYC - part I

Reflections from Ground Zero

Made two years ago as I made a pilgrimage to Ground Zero and St. Paul's Chapel, which I have tried to visit annually on the anniversary of 9/11.

St. Paul's Chapel, New York City

Marker on the Grounds of St. Paul's Chapel

Photos and mementos of those who were killed in the Twin Towers on 9/11

The 'Memorial Altar' of those who died

Police and firefighter patches sent from all over the country, including Iowa, West Virginia, California, and many more.

"Healing Hearts and Minds", an exhibit inside the chapel, consisting of a policeman's uniform covered with police and firefighter patches sent from all over the country and the world - a British Bobby's helmet is on top

"Unwavering Spirit:

Hope & Healing at Ground Zero"

Located directly across from the World Trade Center site, St. Paul's Chapel, an Episcopal church, was home to an extraordinary eight-month volunteer relief effort after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. 'Unwavering Spirit', a new interactive exhibit, honors that ministry and its legacy of love and compassion

St. Paul's Chapel, at 209 Broadway, New York City, is the oldest surviving church building in the city, built in 1764, on land granted by Queen Anne of Great Britain.

The building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960 in part because it is the oldest public building in continuous use in New York City. The chapel survived the Great New York City Fire of 1776 when a quarter of New York City burned following the British capture of the city in the Battle of Long Island in the American Revolutionary War. George Washington, along with members of the United States Congress, worshipped at St. Paul's Chapel on his Inauguration Day, on April 30, 1789.

The Chapel was turned into a makeshift memorial shrine following the September 11, 2001, attacks that led to the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Where, according to the most recent statistics, 2,752 people were killed.

St. Paul's Chapel served as a place of rest and refuge for recovery workers at the WTC site.
For eight months, hundreds of volunteers worked 12-hour shifts around the clock, serving meals, making beds, counseling and praying with fire fighters, construction workers, police and others. Massage therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists and musicians also tended to their needs.

The church survived without even a broken window. The fence around the church grounds became the main spot for visitors to place impromptu memorials to the event. After it became filled with flowers, photos, teddy bears, and other paraphernalia, chapel officials decided to erect a number of panels on which visitors could add to the memorial. Estimating that only 15 would be needed in total, they eventually required 400.

There are a number of exhibits in the Chapel. The most visible is the "Thread Project", which consists of several banners, each of a different color, and woven from different locations from around the globe, hung from the upper level over the pews.

St. Paul's Chapel is a very active part of the Parish of Trinity Church, holding services, weekday concerts, occasional lectures, and providing a shelter for the homeless.

****

There was plenty to pause and reflect on while viewing this monument which is not only to the dead but to all of the acts of kindness, by one to another, after the attack. I am in awe when I think about the fact that this little building not only survived the Great New York City Fire of 1776 and it was untouched (not even a broken window) by the collapse of the Twin Towers which were standing directly across the street from the Chapel.

Something to think about, don't you think?

Photos by peacesojourner