Wednesday, July 2, 2014

September 11 Memorial Museum

While in New York City last weekend for a wedding, I visited the 9/11 museum.  It is a "must see."


The museum is full of disturbing artifacts from that horrible day.  Rooms full of
photos, displays and videos illustrate the events in NYC, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania.
But, what the museum does best is to bring home the important understanding that
nearly 3,000 innocent, living humans were destroyed on that day.
YoungOldManWomanTallShortBlackWhiteHispanicAsianNativebornImmigrant.
Real people.  Sons of grieving parents.  Wives of devastated husbands.  Parents of sad children.

A central room has a photograph of each victim on the four outside walls, with
locator kiosks and an interior room where room-size audio-visual remembrances of 
the victims can be displayed.  Photography is not permitted inside the room.
This is a case in which I think a photography prohibition is an appropriate and respectful measure.

I thought a wide angle photograph from outside the room would help to illustrate
what you would find there, without violating the privacy of victims' families.
Go there if you can. 

20 comments:

Mo said...

An awful event. Now all acts of violence are regarded as terrorism, how do we change going forward?

Mersad said...

This is very moving, I remember watching that footage of the attacks and crying in my room.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

cieldequimper said...

I don't think I could. When I remember that day, I feel sick... Time hasn't taken much edge off it.

Ithurburu is a Basque name, in her case from the French Basque country.

Birdman said...

I want to go there for sure. Hear about the 'whack jobs' who have relatives that died there protesting its opening
I'm sorry but...
Can't this.country EVER come together about anything?
Frustrating as all heck.
Sheeeeeeesh!

Luis Gomez said...

Moving and heartbreaking.

Tanya Breese said...

i remember that day...i was getting ashlyn ready for school and had the today show on...they were talking about the first plane when they still didn't know what had happened and i watched the second plane hit. weird, i was just thinking about it earlier today because of something i had read...we haven't been to new york yet but it is a trip i think we are making in the fall and this is definitely on my stuff to see....i like the way you photographed it...very tasteful. i heard the gift shop was called out for selling some pretty lame things, like a cheese plate with 9/11 on it...come on, that's so tacky. guess they stopped carrying it. i can't imagine buying anything with 9/11 on it really.

Sharon said...

That wall of photos alone is a sobering sight. I will definitely go when I get to NY. I've been to the construction site 3 times so it will be nice to see the area finished.

VP said...

I completely agree with the prohibition, can easily imagine somebody snapping picture around this... Not me this time, and your choice was a great one!

Halcyon said...

This is beautiful and moving, Jack. I will definitely stop by the next time I am in NYC.

Sylvia K said...

That day will never be forgotten and is still as real to me as it was then. I had visited a friend for the weekend in Portland and she knocked on my door and told me to turn on the TV. I felt as though the tears would never cease. A wonderful memorial! Thank you, Jack!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Beautifully sensitive post Jack. An unimaginably tragic event that will forever haunt our minds.

RedPat said...

A day that won't be forgotten, Jack.

cieldequimper said...

Your post got me thinking. When I was last in NYC, May 2002, I refused to go to the viewing platform above the great big hole. I was with French friends and we all had the same reaction...

Kay said...

There's been time and distance...but I don't think I'm ready to dive into that tidal wave of pain. I feel the same about the Vietnam Vets Memorial. I can't even think of either without a flush of tears.

Michelle said...

A very thoughtful post on a tragic event.

William Kendall said...

A place I have to see for myself someday.

Bob Crowe said...

Thank you for the introduction. I cannot imagine recording what is inside.

EG CameraGirl said...

A very sad day in history, especially for north Americans who have rarely been attacked on their own shores.

jennyfreckles said...

'Lest we forget' - personally I never will. That whole day is etched on my mind. And still similar tragedies are happening all over the world, unfolding more slowly albeit but just as devastating to those involved.
I simply cannot understand why anyone thinks that killing people in the name of anything solves anything.

Virginia said...

Your photo gives us the feel of the memorial. Maybe I'll get there one day.
V