Fort Drum 9/11 Exhibition Opens

"New York Remembers" Exhibit Will Give Fort Drum Soldiers and Families a Place to Honor Victims

Governor Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Museum, and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum today announced the opening of a "New York Remembers" exhibition at the Fort Drum U.S. Army base in Jefferson County.

The exhibition will give Fort Drum soldiers and their families a place to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to honor the countless heroes who helped with the clean-up and recovery efforts, and to pay tribute to members of the military who are fighting for our freedom.

The exhibition features several historical artifacts from the collections of the State Museum and National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The stories behind the artifacts are told as part of the exhibition.

"These artifacts will provide a gathering place for the Fort Drum community to remember the tragic events of September 11th. The men and women of our nation's armed services have paid a tremendous price protecting America and keeping our country safe in the aftermath of those senseless acts of terrorism," said Governor Cuomo.

"Fort Drum deployed forces as part of the nation's military response to the 9/11 attacks and they were some of the first conventional troops on the ground in Afghanistan. This exhibit will serve as a constant reminder of the unbreakable spirit of unity that brought our state and nation together after September 11th."

Joe Daniels, President of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, stated, "This exhibit will help soldiers and families of the Fort Drum community reflect and honor the women, men and children lost in the attacks of September 11, and it represents our gratitude for their admirable service. I want to thank the Governor for his dedication to preserving the history of 9/11, the primary goal of the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum."

Mark Schaming, Director of the New York State Museum, added, "The New York State Museum is glad to continue our partnership with Governor Cuomo to help all New Yorkers commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11. The Fort Drum U.S. Army base may be on the opposite end of the state from Ground Zero, but the lives of the members of the Fort Drum community were forever altered by the attacks. Fort Drum soldiers work to protect our state and nation every day and I hope this exhibit will serve as a source of strength and reflection."

"After 10 years of war that began with the attacks on September 11, 2001, I believe it is safe to say we here at Fort Drum will never forget the atrocities of that day. This exhibit loaned to us by the State of New York, however, will provide us a valued place to reflect on the losses of that terrible day, and the innumerable sacrifices made by our Soldiers, Families and Civilians since then," concluded Colonel Noel T. Nicolle, Fort Drum Garrison Commander.

In August, Governor Cuomo, the New York State Museum, and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum announced the creation of thirty "New York Remembers" exhibitions as part of a statewide recognition of the tenth anniversary of September 11th. Fort Drum's exhibition is located in Clark Hall, a common area for visiting family members to spend time with their relatives, and at the Directorate of Emergency Services Building.

Items from the exhibition, which are located in Clark Hall Building 10720 and in Directorate of Emergency Services Building 10715, include:

Fire Hose Connector (Directorate of Emergency Services Building 10715)
Much of the FDNY's equipment was destroyed in the collapse of the World Trade Center. Three hundred and forty-three members of the FDNY were killed on September 11th, the largest number of New York firefighters ever lost on a single day.

Marriott Access Card (Directorate of Emergency Services Building 10715)
The New York Marriott World Trade Center was located between and connected to the Twin Towers. It collapsed after a portion of the South Tower fell on it.

Bolt (Directorate of Emergency Services Building 10715)
A bolt from the World Trade Center's steel frame.

Revolver (Directorate of Emergency Services Building 10715)
Numerous government offices in World Trade Center Building 6 lost valuable criminal evidence and paperwork. Approximately 200 - 400 guns, which were held as evidence and ranged from small-caliber semiautomatic pistols to assault rifles, as well as other evidence in pending criminal cases and confidential government documents, were recovered at Ground Zero or the Fresh Kills landfill.

Airplane Piece (Clark Hall Building 10720)
Landing Gear: Fragment of an airplane from either UA Flight 175 or AA Flight 11. As potential criminal evidence, the piece is marked with an FBI case number and the signature of Special Agent Richard Marx.

About the New York State Museum

With more than 2,000 artifacts, the New York State Museum is the nation's largest repository of objects recovered from the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001. Within weeks of the attacks, State Museum staff documented the operations at the WTC site and later spent countless hours at the WTC Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills, where all the material was inspected. In the ten months that followed the attacks, the FBI and NYPD recovered over 50,000 pieces of personal property. The Museum also documented the Fresh Kills operation with hundreds of photographs, interviews, and films.

The FBI and NYPD transferred all artifacts to the Museum after they were designated non-essential to the crime scene as neither criminal evidence nor personal property. Items include rescue artifacts, building pieces, everyday artifacts, and other objects from the site. No object collected from Fresh Kills by the State Museum was kept if it could be identified as owned by an individual.

Vehicles like an FDNY truck were signed over to the State Museum by the FDNY via a deed of gift by the specific agency. Forty-nine pieces of the two airplanes that crashed into the towers were transferred to the State Museum by the FBI. These include fuselage, interior, and engine parts.

The State Museum also has a significant collection of sympathy material from the New York City area, New York State, and across the world.

About the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is the not-for-profit corporation created to oversee the design, fundraising, programming, and operations of the Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. The Memorial & Museum will be located on eight of the sixteen acres of the World Trade Center site.

The Memorial was dedicated on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and was opened to the public the following day, and the Museum will open in September 2012.

The Memorial honors the thousands of people who were killed in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. The design, created by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, consists of two reflecting pools formed in the footprints of the original Twin Towers and a plaza of trees.

The Museum will display monumental artifacts linked to the events of 9/11, while presenting intimate stories of loss, compassion, reckoning, and recovery that are central to telling the story of the 2001 and 1993 attacks and the aftermath.

It will communicate key messages that embrace both the specificity and the universal implications of the events of 9/11; document the impact of those events on individual lives, as well as on local, national, and international communities; and explore the continuing significance of these events for our global community.

President Obama Gives Remarks at "A Concert for Hope"

President Barack Obama commemorates the tenth anniversary of 9/11 at "A Concert for Hope" from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

New York on High Alert for Possible Terrorist Attack

Statement from Governor Cuomo Regarding Terror Threat

"The reports of a new possible terrorist threat against New York are cause for renewed vigilance and awareness, but not alarm or panic. We will not allow the terrorists to dampen our spirits on this anniversary. Our state and local law enforcement officials are always at the highest state of alert. New Yorkers should feel confident that everything that needs to be done is being done to keep the city secure.

I have been in contact with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as well as senior officials at the White House who have briefed me on the situation and we remain in direct and constant communication and coordination with our partners in federal and local law enforcement.

In response to this recent threat and to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers, I have ordered the deployment of significant additional state police officers to critical infrastructure sites within New York City as an added precaution. I have directed State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico, MTA Chairman Jay Walder, and Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward to coordinate the deployment of these additional resources and to work with the NYPD and other law enforcement.

The deployment will focus on providing additional security for the World Trade Center site, Penn Station, Grand Central Station, bridges and tunnels, and other key infrastructure sites and state facilities.

While every threat is treated with the utmost seriousness and rigor on the part of law enforcement, there is no reason for undue anxiety.

The commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks will not only stand as a solemn day of remembrance and mourning, but serve as a reminder to the world that New Yorkers are a beacon of strength, resilience, and unity. As we pledged together as one state and nation on that terrible day ten years ago, terrorists will never break our will to live free from fear.

We will not give the terrorists what they want which is to instill fear and anxiety and thus infringe on our freedom. This is our day and we must not let them take it."

Photo source: Andrew Cuomo by Pat Arnow.jpeg

Author: Andrew Cuomo by Pat Arnow.jpeg

Permission: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Queens Honor Students Pay Tribute to 9/11 Victims

(Click to enlarge image)

Stained Glass Memorial Window Conveys Peace, Hope and Remembrance

JAMAICA, NY - In 2009, the students of the Aquinas Honor Society of the Immaculate Conception School, in Jamaica Estates, designed and created a stained glass memorial window that now hangs over the schoolyard entrance.

The work, entitled the Peace and Hope Memorial, was created with artist Ernesto Mendoza and family to honor the families and victims of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

The Aquinas Honor Society is composed of academically-gifted students from grades six through eight. The students received a grant from the Alive in Hope Foundation to create the piece.

Breaking down the colors and symbols

In the left corner of the window, brilliant colors of red, yellow and orange glass with jagged shapes were used to represent chaos, sin, despair and economic woes. A rosary representing the power of prayer draws viewers into a field of blues and greens, with a more composed pattern. The calmer shades of blue are the colors of the Blessed Mother Mary. The green color refers to the season of Spring, and a rebirth of hope. The image of the Holy Spirit, in the shape of a dove, holds an olive branch in its mouth.

Through the assistance of the Fire Department of the City of New York, three pieces of steel from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were used to form the leaves. Carved in low relief are images of the school logo - ICS, the Passionist shield of the priests of the parish and the words PEACE and HOPE. The letter H was made to resemble the image of the Twin Towers. They were created by Gray Glass of Queens Village.

The words Sisters of Saint Joseph, founders of the Immaculate Conception School, was engraved on the window. Also engraved were these names: Emerita “Emy” De La Pena, Firefighter Carl Bedigian, Hector Tamayo, Frederick Varacchi and Deputy Chief Orio Palmer, Battalion 7. All were taken on 9/11 and have a connection to the Immaculate Conception Parish and the Aquinas Honor Society. To honor all who perished and fought to save lives on that fateful day, the students have engraved the phrase ALL ARE REMEMBERED onto the window.

The window has been completed with Artist in Residence Ernesto Mendoza and his family who guided and trained the students in the art of Stained Glass making.

To mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the students raised funds to place a bronze plaque next to the Memorial Window so that its meaning would not be lost over time. They composed the text for the plaque and will unveil the plaque -- as well as have it blessed at a prayer service -- on Friday morning, September 9, with all students from the school at 8:10 a.m.

The text inscribed on the plaque reads as follows:

The Peace and Hope Memorial

In 2009 The Aquinas Honor Society won a grant to create a unique stained glass window for their school Guided by Artist Ernesto Mendoza and family, the students created the symbolic design and called it the “Peace and Hope Memorial.”

The design depicts prayer in the form of the rosary. In the left corner sharp, jagged red and orange pieces of glass depict the problems of humankind: greed, fear, poverty and hunger. Moving right a softer pattern emerges depicting the power of prayer. The colors turn to various tones of blues and greens representing hope and rebirth. The cross displays the emblem of the Passionist Congregation. The dove, representing peace, holds an olive branch, whose three leaves are made from pieces of steel from the World Trade Center Twin Towers given to the students by the New York City Fire Department. The students names are hidden in the design. The names of a few of those lost on 9/11 and connected to the Aquinas Society, appear in the design. Finally to honor all those lost, “All are remembered” is engraved on the right. It was dedicated and blessed in April of 2009.

The Aquinas Honor Society

Immaculate Conception School, Jamaica Estates, NY

September 11, 2011

Photos courtesy of Carl Ballenas, Aquinas Society Moderator - (718) 523-1876.

Governor, 9/11 Memorial & Museum Unveil Official 9/11 Memorial Flag

Cuomo: "Written on the Flag are the Words 'We Remember'"

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum today unveiled the official New York State September 11th Memorial Flag. The flag will be raised in honor of the victims of September 11th and the countless first responders who came from all across the nation to help in the clean-up and recovery efforts.

For the tenth anniversary, the flag will be flown at the State Capitol and at the entrance to the memorial at the World Trade Center site.

"The Memorial Flag is meant to serve as a long-lasting symbol of our respect for those who were lost on September 11th and our resilience in the face of tragedy," Governor Cuomo said.

"Written on the flag are the words 'We Remember' – we remember the faces, the stories, and the heroes of that day and this flag reminds us to always pass on those memories to future generations."

Joe Daniels, President of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, said, "All of us at the Memorial are grateful for Governor Cuomo's dedication to helping commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11, and today's announcement is another example of this commitment. The flag will serve as a symbol of our resilience in the wake of unimaginable events. This tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks also reminds us of the indomitable spirit of New Yorkers that endured that terrible day and in the years since."

The symbols on the flag evoke what was lost on September 11th and what still endures. The 40 yellow stars represent the fatalities from United Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The five-sided figures represent the Pentagon, where 125 people died. At the center of the flag are the Twin Towers, where the greatest loss of life occurred that day.

Go to http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/nyremembersflag.pdf. to review the 9/11 memorial flag. The Governor has signed a proclamation calling for the 9/11 memorial flag to fly at the Capitol the week before September 11th.

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum will also sell replicas of the flag in order to raise funds for the museum as well as to bolster educational programs. The flag will be available on www.911memorial.org/911flag.

The following comments were offered during the unveiling:

"Remembering 9/11 must include guidance for our teachers and students; as understanding the past shapes the actions of our young people, our future citizens. At the Tribute WTC Visitor Center the impact of what occurred is contained in our stories and artifacts. We, as the community affected, need to memorialize the loss but remain aware of our resilience to recover by helping each other, emphasizing the humanitarian spirit that permeates 9/11. By seeing this flag, it will make sure that generation after generation learns from the flag and will never forget what happened. September 11th is a global event that brought our world closer together." - Lee A. Ielpi, father of firefighter Jonathan Ielpi and President of the September 11th Families' Association

"As the 9/11 memorial flag waves all across New York and the country, it will remind all who look upon it of the valuable lives taken from Americans ten years ago. Although our friends and family may never return to us, we must continue to celebrate their memory and lives." - Paula Berry, wife of David Berry and board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

"The tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks is a momentous occasion, reminding all New Yorkers and Americans of the painful events a decade ago. While the attacks still haunt families throughout the country, this year's anniversary exhibits can allow us to continue to heal. We will never forget those we lost, and we are glad to have a national symbol and flag to represent their memory." - Tom Rogér, father of Jean Rogér, an American Airlines Flight 11 Flight Attendant killed on September 11, 2001, and board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

"On September 11, 2001, countless families lost fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters. And for ten years, families like ours across the country looked to individual memorials and each other for some sense of comfort. This year, the 'New York Remembers' exhibits and the memorial flag will finally offer us a unified, comprehensive tribute to celebrate the memory of those we lost. I thank Governor Cuomo and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum for housing our 'family room' so people from across the country can understand what it meant to have that room and what it means to have it preserved today." - Rose Marie Foti, mother of Robert Joseph Foti, Firefighter, Ladder 7

"Those who perished in the 9/11 attacks may be lost to us forever, but with these exhibits, the memory of our friends and family will continue to live on all across New York State. This flag commemorates all the victims from the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the four airplanes, offering both healing, and a symbol of tribute for people who lost loved ones that fateful day. I thank Governor Cuomo for having commissioned this very meaningful flag." - Charles G. Wolf, husband of Katherine Wolf

"Anything that is emblematic of that day is meaningful and it is very thoughtful to have dedicated this flag to anything that memorializes September 11th. The tenth anniversary is an opportunity to reunite once again." - Christine A. Ferer, wife of Executive Director of the Port Authority Neil Levin who died on 9/11, and board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

"I am so proud to see this world class memorial and museum come into fruition after ten years of working on it. This flag would be representative of this significant ten year marker and in honor of those we lost." - Monika Iken Murphy, wife of Michael Iken, and board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

"I am so pleased that Governor Cuomo is introducing the 9/11 Memorial Flag to the public. It is fitting that it should now take its proper place downtown at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and also fly nationally as a continuing symbol of honor and remembrance." - Anthoula Katsimatides, sister of John Katsimatides, and board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

"I love the idea for this flag, and it should continue to fly as long as one American serviceman is deployed in harm's way, fighting Islamic extremism and defending liberty. The flag is beautifully designed, remembering all those who died on 9/11, but also honoring the spirit of the American people, who responded to the attacks with courage, compassion and moral clarity." - Debra Burlingame, sister of Charles Burlingame III, pilot of American Airlines Flight 77, which was crashed into the Pentagon, and board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

"This flag serves as a fitting reminder of the horrific attack. May it call to mind that day and also those who, each day, are sacrificing to preserve our freedom. Forget not, our enemy is real and persistent." - David Beamer, father of Todd Beamer and board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

"The most fitting tribute to those who perished on 9/11 is to memorialize them showing the best of the American spirit. The country came together and we faced our struggles in unity and compassion for one another. The 9/11 flag is a universal symbol to the world of the strength and resilience of our Country. I am grateful for this enduring remembrance." - Virginia S. Bauer, wife of W. David Bauer and board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

"On 9/11, Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 priceless friends and employees among the nearly 3,000 fathers, mothers, children and other priceless loved ones who perished. They will always be in our hearts, and in the hearts of all who see this flag wave over New York." - Howard W. Lutnick, brother of Gary Lutnick, and a board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

"A flag is right, suggesting 9/11/01 is an important date in American history. The victims were mostly unwitting heroes, because they were engaging in the work of America--commerce, industry and public service--in iconic American settings. They were attacked precisely because of what America stands for, freedoms of every sort. There was never a doubt, but the rebuilding is the proper response to those who thought an evil attack could change America. It didn't, and we will be stronger than ever." - Thomas Johnson, father of Scott S. Johnson, who died in the South Tower on September 11th, and board member of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

Photo source: Wikipedia

Permission: Public Domain

National 9/11 Memorial and Museum to Create Exhibitions in 30 NYS Locations

Exhibitions to Offer a Place to Pay Respects and Recognize the Impact 9/11 Had on All New Yorkers

Albany, N.Y. - The National September 11 Memorial & Museum today announced that it is partnering with New York State to create "New York Remembers," a series of 30 exhibitions across New York as part of a statewide recognition of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The exhibitions are being organized by the New York State Museum to give New Yorkers a place to pay their respects and will recognize the impact September 11had on the entire state. They will feature many never-before-seen artifacts recovered from the World Trade Center that are currently part of collections maintained by the New York State Museum as well as the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

"As we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11, people from all around the state, country, and world will reunite to remember how we were all affected by the attacks. We're grateful for the opportunity to help the State of New York tell the story of 9/11 through some of our authentic artifacts from the World Trade Center. This comprehensive statewide exhibition will give New Yorkers the chance to pay tribute to those killed on 9/11 and recognize the global outpouring of compassion we saw in the minutes, days, and weeks that followed," said Joe Daniels, President of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

"These exhibitions will give New Yorkers across the state a poignant and respectful place to gather, to honor the lost, and to reflect on the horrendous and life-altering terrorist attacks that occurred here ten years ago," stated Governor Andrew Cuomo.

"The attacks affected residents from almost every town, city, and village across the state, and that is why it is so important that we come together as one community to make sure we never forget what happened on that horrible day."

Dr. John B. King Jr., New York State Education Commissioner said, "With 'New York Remembers,' citizens across the state will be better able to reflect on and understand our tragic and shared history of September 11, 2001. The Regents and I believe that this is a compelling project which brings the scope and reach of the State Museum's artifacts and images to all New Yorkers."

The exhibitions will be in public areas in regions across New York. Each location will be open from the end of August to the end of September as well as on Sunday September 11. Locations will be announced shortly.

Thousands of New Yorkers from all corners of the state went to the World Trade Center site to assist in the cleanup and recovery efforts. Members of the New York National Guard, firefighters, paramedics, police, FBI agents, steelworkers, construction workers and countless men and women who offered support to the workers spent months at the site. Children in schools across the state sent heartfelt messages to the families and site workers.

With more than 2,000 artifacts, the New York State Museum is the nation's largest repository of objects recovered from the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001. Within weeks of the attacks, State Museum staff documented the operations at the WTC site and, later, spent countless hours at the WTC Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills where all the material was inspected.

In the 10 months that followed the attacks, the FBI and NYPD recovered over 5,000 human remains and over 50,000 pieces of personal property, as well as the artifacts that are now in the State Museum collections. The museum also documented the Fresh Kills operation with hundreds of photographs, interviews, and film.

The FBI and NYPD transferred all artifacts to the museum after they were designated non-essential to the crime scene as neither criminal evidence nor personal property. Artifacts include rescue artifacts, building pieces, everyday artifacts, and other objects from the site. No object collected from Fresh Kills by the State Museum was kept if it could be identified as owned by an individual.

Vehicles like a FDNY truck were signed over to the State Museum by the FDNY via a deed of gift by the specific agency. Forty nine pieces of two of the airlines that crashed into the towers were transferred to the State Museum by the FBI. These include fuselage, interior, and engine parts.

The State Museum also has a significant collection of sympathy material from the New York City area, New York State and across the world.

"In advance of the 9/11 Memorial Museum opening in 2012, we're proud to have this opportunity to display some of our treasured artifacts across New York State. Authentic objects are crucial to understanding the story of 9/11, from the profound loss to the extraordinary heroism and depths of compassion. These exhibits will be an important learning opportunity for people of all ages, and a fitting tribute to the many who perished at the World Trade Center on that terrible morning ten years ago," noted Alice M. Greenwald, Director of the National September 11 Memorial Museum.

Paula Berry, a 9/11 Memorial Board Member and family member, said, we have an obligation to preserve and share the history of 9/1 with as many people as possible. Our hope is this exhibition will serve as a reminder of what happened that day, a representation of how we came together as a city, state and nation, and a symbol of the love we will always feel for those we lost, including David, my husband."

Lee A. Ielpi, President September 11th Families' Association and Tribute WTC Visitor Center, and father of Firefighter Jonathan Lee Ielpi said, "I've committed the past ten years to ensuring that the stories of September 11 are kept alive. I want to honor the memory of all of the victims of those terrorist attacks, including my son Jonathan, and I want people to remember the tens of thousands of people who reached out to help total strangers on the 11th and in the aftermath. I strongly believe we need to teach young people everywhere about all aspects of 9/11."

Tom Roger, father of Jean Roger, killed on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 Flight Attendant, also believes the exhibitions will serve as a source of comfort for many.

"The Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 will be a very emotional time for all of us who lost loved ones on that terrible day. The 'New York Remembers' exhibitions will allow many others around the state to join with the thousands of families who were directly affected as we pause and reflect on what was lost and how our world has changed," said Roger.

"Both the educational aspects of the exhibits and the presence of important artifacts from the site will allow people to pay tribute and remember the terrible tragedy of that day in a very personal and real way. I applaud Governor Cuomo and New York State Museum for supporting this effort and hope that people will take advantage of this very special opportunity to bear witness to the events of 9/11 for the time that these exhibits are available."

Salvatore Cassano, Fire Commissioner of the City of New York stated that the exhibitions will be a great tribute to fallen New York City firefighters. "We will never forget the dedication and sacrifice of the 343 FDNY members who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. The incredible artifacts that will go on display as part of 'New York Remembers' also will ensue that the people who live in and visit New York will never forget them, or the close to 3,000 others who were killed on that tragic day. We hope this exhibit will help is all heal as we honor the 10-year-anniversary of the attacks."

The following comments were also provided regarding the 'New York Remembers' exhibits.

"New York's Finest answered the call of duty, and we will never forget the courageous officers who gave their lives on September 11. The 'New York Remembers' exhibits will help us reflect on that tragic day, remember those who gave their lives, and renew the spirit of unity that helped New York and America through that difficult time." - Patrick J. Lynch, President of the New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, NYPD

"The tragic loss of over 400 first responders during the 9/11 attacks was a gut-wrenching blow felt by all Americans. The FDNY lost a staggering 343 firefighters when the towers collapsed, but over 25,000 civilians were safely evacuated. No one should ever forget what those heroes gave up for our state and country. These exhibitions will honor their sacrifice and keep the memory of them burning bright." - Steve Cassidy, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, FDNY

"In the 10 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on our nation, Port Authority police officers have remained on the front lines, always dedicated, ever vigilant. These police officers are strengthened daily by the memory of the selfless sacrifice of the 37 Port Authority police officers killed in the line of duty that day at the World Trade Center so others may live. With the help of the 'New York Remembers' exhibitions, the actions of these police officers can now be embraced by all New Yorkers. May they never be forgotten." - Paul Nunziato, President of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association

"As the anniversary of the catastrophic events of September 11 is upon us, we once again pause to remember all who were tragically taken from us that day. All of us who lived through September 11 and its aftermath will carry it with us forever. Many New York City Police Officers made the ultimate sacrifice trying to rescue their fellow New Yorkers and we cannot let their heroism fade from our memories with the passage of time. 'New York Remembers' offers a place for New Yorkers to pay their respects and will keep the extraordinary and tragic events of September 11 on the forefront of our thoughts." - Ed Mullins, President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, NYPD

"As we approach the tenth anniversary of the attacks on America our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the more than 2000 civilians that lost their lives that day by merely going to work. We also think about the 343 members of the fire department as well as those in the NYPD and PAPD who lost their lives while trying to rescue innocent civilians. The artifacts, pictures, and displays of 'New York Remembers' tell the story of that day, and how when the call came, New York's firefighters and emergency responders performed with bravery and honor, and for that we are all forever grateful." - Alexander Hagen, President of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association

"As the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center approaches, it is essential to honor and remember those lost on that horrific day.These exhibitions will make sure we always remember one of the most evil attacks ever perpetrated on our country as well as the spirit, resolve and resilience that followed." - Joseph Baccellieri, Jr., Commanding Officer/Chief of Training, New York State Court Officers Academy

"The catastrophic events of September 11 changed New York, our country, and the entire world. A decade later, we remember those we lost and honor the first responders and countless heroes who toiled in the days and weeks that followed. Displaying historic artifacts from the World Trade Center will give New Yorker's a true understanding of what occurred that day, as well as place to gather and remember both the tragic events and the sense of community that helped our state and nation through this difficult time." - Patrick Bahnken, President of the Uniformed EMT's, Paramedics and Fire Inspectors, FDNY

"These exhibitions will give New Yorkers a place to gather and remember that tragic day in September ten years ago. In the months after the attack, workers toiled to clean up the site, many working long hours and risking their own health. The artifacts in these exhibits are a testament to the hard work and dedication of those involved in the cleanup efforts, and speak to both the sadness of September 11 and the spirit of unity felt on that day." - Edward Malloy, President of the New York State Building and Construction Trade Councils

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is the not-for-profit corporation created to oversee the design, fundraising, programming, and operations of the Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. The Memorial and Museum will be located on eight of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center site. The memorial will be dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and will open to the public the following day, and the museum will open in September 2012.

The memorial will remember and honor the 2,983 people who were killed in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. The design, created by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, consists of two reflecting pools formed in the footprints of the original Twin Towers and a plaza of trees.

The museum will display monumental artifacts linked to the events of 9/11, while presenting intimate stories of loss, compassion, reckoning, and recovery that are central to telling the story of the 2001 and 1993 attacks and the aftermath. It will communicate key messages that embrace both the specificity and the universal implications of the events of 9/11; document the impact of those events on individual lives, as well as on local, national, and international communities; and explore the continuing significance of these events for our global community.

If you would like more information or to reserve a free visitor pass to the memorial, go to 911memorial.org.

Image courtesy of http://publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com
Photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jim Watson, United States Navy
Permission: Public Domain