NYC - World Trade Center Site

When we woke up on our final day in New York our legs and feet told us that they had done just about as much walking as they were going to do. I don't think I have ever had such aching legs. We wanted to try the subway anyway so we found the nearest station and in a matter of minutes we were in Lower Manhattan. Our first stop was at Ground Zero. There isn't a lot to see there as they are beginning the construction of new buildings on the site. We headed across the street to St. Paul's chapel which was used as a rest station for the rescue workers in the days and weeks following the attacks. The church received absolutely no damage, not even a broken window during the terrorist attacks. That is amazing when you remember that not only the World Trade Center buidlings were destroyed, but many other buildings in the area were also destroyed or severely damaged.



In the days following the attack, relatives and friends of those unaccounted for distributed flyers with their loved ones pictures on the streets around hospitals and rescue centers. Volunteers at the church began collecting them and posting them on a small altar at the church. In the weeks and months after the tragedy funeral notices and mass cards were added to the altar. The altar was eventually returned to service at the church, but this replica was built to hold the momentos honoring the victims. Looking at the pictures and reading the notices was extremely sad.

The site of the WTC taken from the church grounds.

St. Paul's Chapel is an Episcopalian church built in 1766 and is the church where George Washington worshipped. It is the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan.

The only thing that was destroyed was this old sycamore tree that stood in the corner of the church lot. A sculptor worked with tree experts to preserve this stump as a monument. Notice the piece of pipe imbedded in the trunk.

One of the most moving displays for me was this flag with the names of those killed on Sept. 11. Click on the picture to see the names written on each stripe.

"Healing Hearts and Minds" is what the name of this tribute. Fire and police departments from across the country sent their uniform patches in tribute to the rescue workers.

We had a busy day and I will post the rest of our day tomorrow. I thought this posting about Ground Zero should be separate.