For the first time, the September 11th Memorial plaza offered a spot for quiet reflection on the anniversary for New Yorkers with and without a direct connection to the attacks. NY1′s Michael Herzenberg filed the following report.
People and their emotions filled the September 11 memorial Thursday, the reflecting pools bringing the pain of the past into the present.
“I feel like it just happened recently,” said one person at the memorial.
“It really breaks my heart just thinking about all the people that were affected,” said another.
“I hope that nothing like this happens ever again,” said a third.
That’s from people who didn’t know any of the nearly 3,000 victims of the terror attacks 13 years ago.
One couple from Michigan planned their trip to New York around their anniversary.
“I want to express my condolences to all the family members,” one half of the couple said
“And it’s a day we’ll never forget. It’s the kind of day that would stick in our hearts forever,” the other half of the couple said.
It’s the first time National September 11 Memorial has allowed the general public on the memorial grounds during the anniversary. The museum, though, on this day remained only for families of the victims and survivors.
Firefighters held a small memorial service in the evening outside the engine and ladder companies just across the street from the World Trade Center site. They laid a wreath to commemorate all the losses.
“Pay my respect to my brothers. Of 343. I probably know 150, 140 of them,” said Ed Phillips, a retired lieutenant with the FDNY.
Phillips said he went to another service but had to visit the reflecting pools. He’s not bothered by the crowds and said dealing with his pain has gotten easier over the years.
“Went to a psychologist last year to talk about it. Never talked about 9/11 before. And it does get easier a little bit, but when you come down here, you see all the names over there, you don’t know,” he said. “Thirty-three years of friendship with these guys. It’s unbelievable.”
The Tribute in Light just blocks from the World Trade Center site lit up the night sky Thursday, an emotional tribute to the victims of the attacks.
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