New Audio Collection Unveiled at WTC Memorial Museum Site

The World Trade Center Memorial Museum preview site (20 Vesey Street) is unveiling an audio collection today, consisting of almost 600 recordings from families and friends of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Stories from first responders are also included.
Visitors can both hear those stories and also record their own recollections and contributions in a separate booth. Some of these memories will become part of the Museum’s permanent collection. Visitors can also hear stories from people who actually witnessed the attacks. The actual museum is set to open on September 11, 2012. It will offer artifacts ranging from parts of the original towers to tributes left for the victims.
The memorial is slated to open earlier.
The recordings are meant to serve as a resource for those who want more information about the attacks, as well as a way to honor the victims. The site is free and open to the public; it’s located across from the site of the permanent memorial. Visitors can go to national911memorial.org for more information. The web site gives up-to-date information about the progress of the memorial as well as the history and impact of the attacks.
In other news about the Memorial, two reflecting pools for the September 11 National Memorial at the World Trade Center site have been totally framed in steel, meaning that another phase has been completed. When the Memorial is complete, it will contain 8,100 tons of steel. The pools, which sit in the footprints of the original towers, will pump 52,00 gallons of recycled water every minute.
The Memorial Plaza will also contain 400 oak trees surrounding the pools.

September 11 Memorial Damaged in Deliberate Arson

A temporary New York City chapel containing unidentified remains of September 11 victims was set ablaze last weekend in what police are calling a definite case of arson. Although the remains themselves were untouched, most of the mementos and candles left by loved ones were either damaged or stolen. The tented building (which was also largely undamaged) serves as a temporary resting place for the remains until they are moved to a permanent location at Ground Zero; it stands behind the chief medical examiner’s office on East 30th Street in what is known as Memorial Park.
Twenty-six-year-old Brian Schroeder, who’s originally from Texas, was arrested in connection with the crime. The Harvard Law School graduate supposedly set the memorial on fire as part of a drunken prank. Firefighters responded to a call before 9 am last Saturday (Halloween) and found remains of the fire still smoking.
How Schroeder was able to simply walk into what was supposed to be a high-security area is uncertain, to say the least. He turned himself into the police on Sunday.
Not surprisingly, the posh New York law firm that had made him a job offer—and in which he worked last summer--has since rescinded it.

Sept. 11 Commemorated with Memorial Events

Americans across the country gather today to remember the events of September 11, 2001. In New York City, the names of all the victims of the terrorist attacks were read aloud this morning, and four moments of silence were observed: two at the times the planes hit the towers of the World Trade Center, and two when the towers fell.
Tonight, two searchlights will be turned on at 6:00 PM for the “Tower of Light,” and remain lit, pointing upward, until 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. Commemorating the two towers, the lights will remain static.
For Americans who want something concrete to do, September 11 was recently designated a day of National Service and Remembrance; everyone is being urged to find ways to get out and help in their communities.
At Trinity Church on Wall Street, an all-night vigil and walk was held; a service will take place this afternoon starting at 12:30 PM.
In addition, a number of other September 11 initiatives are underway. The Port Authority is offering World Trade Center debris to be used in memorials around the country--about 2,000 pieces are available; they are currently being stored at JFK airport.
And a new website (911history.org) is asking for personal stories about the attacks to be featured as part of a series of remembrances at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, slated to open in 2012. Visitors will descend 70 feet under Ground Zero, where they can view images of the attacks and hear stories from families and friends of the victims.
Because many of the images will be very graphic, ranging from people jumping out of the towers to human remains, a warning will be in place for visitors.