By Mackenzie Clark
Our nation was stricken with tragedy just over ten years ago when four flights were hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. Now, from the ashes, beautiful memorials have risen.
At what was formerly known as Ground Zero of the World Trade Center, families and friends of the victims were invited to a ceremonial opening of the memorial for their loved ones on Sept. 11, 2011. It opened to the general public the next day.
The memorial consists of two waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre wide, set in the original footprints of the twin towers. Engraved in the north pool are all the names of those who died in the World Trade Center north building, on Flight 11 and in the earlier attacks on Feb. 26, 1993. In the south pool are the names of the first responders and those who died on Flights 175, 77 and 93; in the Pentagon and in the World Trade Center south building. Of 2,983 names, only one was misspelled.
In addition, an “Explore 9/11” app for iPhone has been created for tourists. The app features a walking tour of the area with audio and photo narration, images taken nearby, a timeline of events and a guide to the memorial.
At the University of Kansas, the Social Issues committee of the Student Union Activities group held a memorial Sept. 9-12. They set up a flag on the lawn of the Stauffer-Flint building for every person who lost their life that day.
“This idea came about last spring during our planning stages for fall. We knew we wanted to commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and we decided that a quiet, simple event would be the best option,” said Kevin Smith, Social Issues Coordinator.
KU held other events across campus on the anniversary, including a candle lighting ceremony at the campanile.
Contact Mackenzie Clark at mclark68@jccc.edu.