The Architecture and Symbolism behind the Stone
9/11 Memorials
by Alanis Naranjo
Everyone has their own memories of where they were and who they were with when the news of the first attack on 9/11 broke. It can be challenging to remember the lives lost without recalling the chaos that shattered so many hearts. Yet, amidst the devastation, there are ways in which the victims' names continue to shine through the wreckage. These names are thoughtfully recorded, placed, and etched into stone and marble, ensuring that they are never forgotten.
Here are the locations of the memorial sites of the three crash sites, along with the heartfelt significance behind the creation of each one.
9/11 Memorial: New York City
The 9/11 Memorial in New York City sits at the footprints of the North and South Towers; each memorial is nearly one acre in size. The memorial's reflecting ponds are the largest man-made waterfalls in North America; the water falls 30 feet into a square basin and then drops another 20 feet into a central void. This symbolism was described as "absence made visible" by the architect, Michael Arad, explaining how the water flows into voids that can never be filled. Around the edge of each memorial pool are the names that were lost from all three crash sites.
The memorial, designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker, is titled "Reflecting Absence." The North Pool features the names of those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center North, totaling 1,470, including six names from the February 26, 1993, terrorist bombing and 87 names from Flight 11. Surrounding the South Pool are the names of First Responders (441 names), victims from the World Trade Center South (694 names), as well as those from Flight 93 (40 names), Flight 77 (59 names), the Pentagon (125 names), and Flight 175 (60 names).
The names are organized according to a system of "meaningful adjacencies," grouping friends and colleagues together, as well as the crews from each of the four flights, first responder agencies, and various units. Throughout the memorial's development, invitations were sent to the next of kin of the deceased, giving them the opportunity to request that their loved ones' names be placed alongside those of specific others, fostering a sense of connection at the memorial.
The 9/11 Memorial Glade honors those who have suffered from illnesses or have lost their lives due to exposure to toxins resulting from the aftermath of all three 9/11 attack sites. This includes survivors of the World Trade Center, first responders, recovery workers, relief workers, volunteers, and residents of lower Manhattan. It also encompasses workers, students, and all those involved in the cleanup at Ground Zero. The Glade features a pathway lined with six large monoliths, each containing remnants of steel from the World Trade Center, symbolizing "strength through adversity." This addition to the memorial was inaugurated on May 30, 2019.
The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial: Arlington, Virginia
The Pentagon Memorial was dedicated on September 11, 2008, to honor the lives lost on American Airlines Flight 77, along with the workers and civilians at the Pentagon. With each life lost, 184 memorial units were created, each bearing the name and timeline of the person lost. The units are arranged to reflect the location of each victim at the time of the attack, allowing visitors to walk through the events of that tragic day.
The memorial units are cantilevered stainless steel benches with an inlaid smooth granite surface. Each unit has a pool of water with an underlying light that reflects onto the bench and surrounding gravel. The units are placed in specific directions to distinguish the victims who were on board the American Airlines Flight 77 and those in the Pentagon. For example, when viewing the victims' names from the Pentagon, you are facing the Pentagon. As for the American Airlines 77 victims, you see where the flight was approaching in the same view.
Flight 93 National Memorial: Stoystown, Pennsylvania
The Tower of Voices memorial, located in Stoystown, Pennsylvania, is situated near the crash site of the fourth hijacked plane during the events of 9/11. This memorial honors the courage of the passengers and crew who heroically diverted the aircraft away from the nation's capital, ultimately bringing it down in the fields of Pennsylvania.
The Wall of Names is a 40-panel display featuring the names of all passengers and crew members who flew on the flight. The standing of the wall is adjacent to the flight path, which appears uniform from a distance, representing the united actions of the crew and passengers.
This was made possible by the donations and over 4,000 volunteers. On September 9, 2018, the final phase of construction was complete, with the installation of chimes, which were dedicated to every voice that was lost on that field. The dedication took place on September 10, 2020. There are 40 chimes installed to symbolize each voice. The musical instrument is 93 feet tall, representing Flight 93.
There are many things to say about each memorial, but one thing is certain: this day will never be forgotten.
For a deeper understanding of the memorials and the stories they preserve, consult the sources listed below.
