'Reflecting Absence', the 9/11 Memorial.

9-19-13 SHORT HILLS: We visited the 9/11 Memorial this morning. We drove to Jersey City and took PATH to the WTC station and followed the signs. You need tickets, available on line and at no charge, and go through TSA-like screening before entering the site.

There are two huge, square reflecting pools with waterfalls on all four sides set on the footprints of the original towers. The names of the victims are on plaques surrounding the pools. An oak forest has been planted to the west of the pools. There is also a pear tree that survived the attack and has been re-planted on the site. It is thriving. The museum is uncompleted as are the surrounding buildings. Michael Arad is the architect of the Memorial.

The shell of the new WTC is almost complete. Now there are cranes and construction sites throughout the area. When all the work is done and all the fences and barriers are gone it will be beautiful. As it is, it’s very moving.

Just across Greenwich St. is St. Paul’s Chapel, a pre-revolutionary building, the ‘oldest public building in continuous use’ in the city. It literally lies in the shadow of the newest.


The World Financial Center to the west of the North Pool.

The victim's birthdays are remembered with a rose at their names.

The South Pool and crowds.

Waterfall.

St. Paul's Chapel steeple is east of the site surrounded by younger buildings from different eras.

The flag is at half staff because of the navy yard shootings in DC.

Video from the North Pool to the top of the new WTC tower, still under construction.