The National September 11th Memorial and Museum opens to the public tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21st. However, 9/11 family members, service members and lower Manhattan residents were able to preview the museum prior to the grand opening date. Last Sunday, we toured the museum and my heart is still heavy from the experience. Touring the museum alongside the family members of 9/11 victims was heart-wrenching, humbling, and will be etched in my memory forever. Viewing the wreckage from the attack, almost didn’t seem real. Warped steel, shoes, backpacks, bikes, strollers, letters, fire trucks, ambulances…it was like walking through a nightmare. Even the last Steel Beam from Ground Zero had a faint smell of burnt metal.
I still remember where I was the morning of the attack. In my dorm room getting ready for class with the news on in the background. I even have photos of myself at sixteen touring the Statue of Liberty with the Twin Towers in the skyline behind me. Being a lower Manhattan resident, it brought many things into perspective, especially the proximity of the attack. One picture showed downtown Manhattan engulfed in smoke and it stopped me in my tracks. Our apartment, our parks, and all the businesses we frequent, were not visible. This could have been my husband, brother, uncle, father, sister, mother, aunt, friend, co-worker, etc. This could have been me. You begin to wonder– what would I have done? Would I have started running or stayed in the “perceived safety” indoors? If I did run, where would I have gone? I was overwhelmed with a tremendous sense of even more understanding, compassion and empathy for everyone affected by the 9/11 attacks.
For the most part, the entire museum was extremely quiet and muted. The voices that were heard though, echoed louder than any freight train. Voicemails of victims to their family members, individuals telling their children how they survived, and families gathered together telling stories of loved ones. I tried to hold back my tears for as long as I could. Ultimately, the tears began flowing and my stomach was aching for everyone around me. People touched directly by this horrific terrorist attack. I wanted to reach out and hug them. Tell them I was so sorry for their loss. I sent up more silent prayers than I could count, for God to bring peace, comfort and strength to all those affected by this tragedy.
Touring the museum was an emotional, yet powerfully moving experience. Even more proof that history cannot be ignored.
Visit the National September 11th Memorial and Museum for more information on tickets.
Last Column at Ground Zero
Signs of the Missing
Pennsylvania Rescue Member signing a visual remembrance message
Firefighter Survivor teaching his two children (too young to remember & not yet born) about the rescue missions on 9/11
This touching message brought me to tears
Surveillance of the Twin Tower employees coming to work on September 11th
Chaplain’s were present offering support
Lower Manhattan engulfed in smoke
