9/11 Memorial

This past May a friend and I visited New York City. We make the pilgrimage to attend the theatre and enjoy the variety of delicious culinary offerings. But on this trip we also had one very important destination: the 9/11 Memorial.


The Memorial's twin reflecting pools mark the lives of the fallen. We lost nearly three thousand people on September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon, at the World Trade Center and near Shanksville,Pennsylvania. We also lost six people in the World Trade Center bombing in February of 1993.


Architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker designed twin reflecting pools that are home to the names of each person who died in the 2001 and 1993 attacks on America. The names are inscribed on bronze panels surrounding each acre-size pool. You run your fingers across the name and you think of that individual and his/her sacrifice for our nation. You see mementos left from family,friends and a grateful nation. You watch loved ones struggle to make etchings through tear-filled eyes. You are watching through tear-filled eyes having been overwhelmed by the enormous loss and the tremendous beauty of the memorial.


We had researched the memorial on their fantastic website and knew where to find the locations of some specific individuals. So with heavy hearts we approached Father Mychal Judge's name. We began to cry as we touched the name of the man who touched so many. He was in the body bag marked Victim 0001 on September 11,2001. In 1992 he was appointed Chaplain of The Fire Department of NYC. He was described as someone who had " achieved an extraordinary degree of union with the divine."  He was known for taking his coat off on a cold winter day and giving it to a homeless woman. He said that she needed it more than him. He rocked a man in his arms who was dying of AIDS. He did these things every day. Every hour. Every minute. It comes as no surprise that he rushed to the World Trade Center when he heard of the attack. He administered the last rites to many on the streets before entering the lobby of WTC's North Tower.  There he prayed for victims, rescuers and the deceased. There he was when the South Tower collapsed sending debris through the North Tower lobby that struck and killed Father Mike and so many others. His lifeless body was discovered by an NYPD policeman who carried him out with two NYFD men and two civilians. They carried him to nearby St. Peters Church where they wrapped his body and left him on the altar. His life was a ministry of love and their actions reflected their deep love for this great man.


Mark Bingham was on United Airlines Flight 93. He boarded that flight on the way to be an usher at a fraternity brother's wedding. He was one of the heroic passengers to bring down that plane. He was a fearless rugby player and a member of the Chi Psi fraternity at the University of California at Berkeley. He was a public relations executive and founder of The Bingham Group. He left behind a loving partner and mother and countless friends.


Flight Attendant Cee Cee Lyles called her husband at 09:47:57 and told him her flight had been hijacked.  Beep... "Hi baby. I'm....Baby, you have to listen to me carefully. I'm on a plane that's been hijacked. I'm on the plane. I'm calling from the plane. I want to tell you  I love you. Please tell my children that I love them very much. I'm so sorry babe. Umm I don't know what to say. There's three guys. They hijacked the plane. I'm trying to be calm. We're turned around. And I've heard there's planes that have been..been flown into the World Trade Center. I hope to be able to see your face again baby. I Love you. Goodbye. "  End of message.  A former police officer, she left behind her husband and four sons. This Floridian was known for her trademark grin.


Patricia Mickley died in the attack on the Pentagon. Patricia Dillaber Mickley worked for The Defense Department. She was survived by her husband,daughter,parents,sisters, brother, nieces and nephews.

Matthew G. Leonard was described by a federal district judge as the "kindest law clerk I've ever had".  He would join a homeless man singing Christmas carols in Brooklyn to help him up his contributions from passers-by. He was director of litigation for Cantor Fitzgerald when he left his apartment at 7:11 am . He was survived by his then 7 month old daughter and wife.

Each and every name has a story. Each and every name had a life. Each of them touched many other lives. Some of the stories are more familiar to us than others. Each of them matters. Each of them is missed. Each of them can be found at the 9/11 Memorial. Look at the website. Visit the memorial. Contribute to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.