NEW YORK, N.Y. – New York City’s Ground Zero, once a site of unspeakable horror, is once again overwhelming visitors, this time as a place of awe-inspiring beauty.
For the first time in a decade, members of the public trod upon the ground of the World Trade Center site, now a memorial for the world to enjoy.
They were not met by smouldering debris or a muddy construction pit, but by two enormous reflecting pools set into the square footprints of the twin towers.
Rushing water flows down the walls of the pool, drawing the eye into a smaller black cube where the water escapes – in its infinite movement, the water symbolizing death and rebirth.
The memories of the dead keep watch over the waterfalls’ constant flow from the bronze ledges that surround the pools on all sides.
Punched into the bronze, the names of each victim of the terrorist attack is immortalized and given a final resting place among hundreds of trees that will grow into an eight-acre urban forest.
“Out of something so horrible, hideous and tragic has come something beautiful and contemplative and tranquil. I think it will become a landmark even more important than the World Trade Center buildings were,” said Mark Bramble, who was one of the thousands of people who visited the memorial, which is entitled “Reflecting Absence,” on Monday.
The public opening comes after families of the 9/11 victims had a day to privately remember their loved ones on Ground Zero during the 10th anniversary service.
It was the first time many of them were able to step on the grounds of the World Trade Center and see a physical symbol of their loved one’s death.
Families broke down and wept as they caressed the names of the ones they lost. Many etched the engravings on paper to take with them as they leave New York. Others left flags and roses in the letters spelling out the names that were read simultaneously during the memorial service.
One of the memorial’s designers said he couldn’t have imagined all the ways people were using the memorial.
“People connect to it in such a visceral way,” said Michael Arad, who designed the memorial with Peter Walker. “It is truly humbling.”
“I finally have a place to come and remember John,” said Anthoula Katsimatides of her 31-year-old brother who worked on the 104th floor of the north tower. “We never received anything, so it’s nice to be able to come to a place that is teeming with life.”
Katsimatides was one of the family members who helped oversee the memorial project. As satisfying as it was to connect with her brother through the memorial on Sunday, she said she wanted to see how the public would respond.
“I thought it was absolutely magnificent. It’s beyond words. It is breathtaking,” said Susan Friedes.
“It was very tranquil, very powerful and I hope it transcends everything that happened,” said Annie Campbell after leaving the grounds.
Many also expressed feelings of aspiration for a changed world.
“The hope is that someday this kind of stuff won’t happen and we can live in peace,” says Donna Turco, who was visiting from upstate New York.
Joe Daniels, president and CEO of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, said he hopes the site will bring strangers together as friends and transform the sadness of that day.
“To have this as a final stop, the place where we are standing now, a place that has been transformed into beauty and remembrance that will make people feel good about coming together again, we want the public to experience that,” says Daniels.
The day marked the end of a long chapter for Daniels, one that climaxed on Sunday as he saw families connecting with the memorial.
“I’ve been incredibly anxious for a really long time,” he said. “Yesterday just before the families came, that anxiety peaked. Seeing people come and seeing their faces when for the first time they saw the names of their loved ones, it was instantaneous. You knew the day was going to go well because of how much it meant to them.”
An estimated 7,000 people from 46 states and 30 countries were expected to visit the site on Monday, a number limited by ongoing construction in the area.
Part of that construction is the completion of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, which is set to open in September 2012. The museum brings the estimated cost of the museum up to $700 million.
Work crews will be busy for years completing the office towers that will surround the urban forest of the memorial, meaning access to the site will be strictly controlled.
Anyone wanting to visit must reserve free visitors passes online at 911memorial.org, but many who came hoping to catch a glimpse of Ground Zero’s resurrection on Monday were left outside.
“We are disappointed. We thought we could just walk in,” said Sally Doolan, who was visiting New York from Ireland. “But I’m sure we will be back.”
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