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| A Life Remembered Through Technology Digital Images and Sounds |
The 13th Year Another Milestone And A New Focus
This was the 13th year of the solemn reading of the names not unlike the prior 12 years.But yet behind the scenes for those who lost a loved one, this year there was a new focus, the National 9-11 Museum and Memorial Foundation assumed the total responsibility for the ceremony, taking the reins from the city government which had for the preceding 12 years lead the nation in remembering the lives lost.
Under the leadership of the Ex- Mayor Bloomberg, the Memorial & Museum foundation. not only conducted the ceremony, but opened its doors to the families of those lost, and the families of those first responders who gave so much, and continue to this very day. The human toll of lives ended by 9-11 has not yet ceased, we add to our memories and prayers the lives now lost in defense of us all.
From the moment the broadcast stations turned there cameras to the Plaza, some changes became evident, rather that an opening ceremony with a choir of children voices singing the national anthem, a single voice sang out over the plaza.
As the readers took to the podiums to read the names they paid homage to those they lost as individuals, perhaps no longer being told they must keep their comments brief, it appeared. Each voice at a microphone saying the word "God" stood out this year.
As parents who lost a daughter, we waited to hear her name read, the emotions of that day, and the hours that followed till her death was confirmed flooded back into our minds and hearts, the tears held back, and we once again comforted each other.
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| Colleen Ann (Meehan) Barkow Age 26 N. Tower 103rd Floor |
We had received tickets for the museum, secured by Cantor-Fitzgerald in advance of the ceremony, with an appointed time, rather then long lines, we actually arrived earlier at the Museum doors, and were greeted by the museum personnel, who seemed at moments to out number the visitors entering its doors. The museum has not been without controversy, and some families elected not to avail themselves of this day reserved for them.
You enter the museum at ground level , and then proceed through security, before beginning the descent into the lower levels of the museum.
As you begin the journey, you see the large steel columns which are adjacent to the staircase, and are the only objects that project up to the skylight which is the entrance to the museum.
The next sensory feeling is how cold the staircase railing is, it is made of metal, and is cold to the touch, in the dim lighting, it adds to the somber tone of this entry way. You are in awe of the slurry wall, which held back the river . More objects come into view as you continue the journey down.
One cannot help but be overwhelmed by the size of the displays, which are meant to convey the immense physical destruction of the towers and what came to be known as ground zero to so many. A label , just as the name "Freedom Tower" is not used to identify WTC1.
There are of course two other displays, which are emotional triggers, and which the museum has invested so much effort to utilize technology, but in doing so, like the museum itself, leaves one wanting more of the physical objects and connections to the lives lost. The technology which gives the visitor the images, and recordings about each life lost, are shown and heard , and then disappear into the world of bits and bytes, zeros and ones in how data is stored.
The room of remembrance holds the images of the victims.
Of course at the heart of the Museum was the decision to store the humans remains still held by the Medical Examiners office inside the museum on the 7th level below ground level. The remains are housed in a special room, behind the wall of sky colors, and with the inscription shown below, and which of itself has been a subject of many discussions, as to its origins and meaning.
The memorial inscription, “No day shall erase you from the memory of time” is an eloquent translation of the original Latin of “The Aeneid” — “Nulla dies umquam memori vos eximet aevo.”
There is a visitation room for family members who can view this area, and is staffed by employees of the ME office, who are most gracious, patience, and who will work to continue to identify those lost, as new technology and DNA techniques are created.
As a veteran, I grew up with the code of duty, honor, country. The fact that the general public must pay an admission price, (except on Tuesdays) to pay homage to these remains, is something I still find to be offensive, I would have preferred the remains to be at ground level, near the reflecting pools, an eternal flame, where all could pay homage, pray for their souls, and not have to open a wallet or purse to do so.
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As with all things related to 9/11, none are black and white, they tend to be various shades of gray.
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Colleen is remembered with great love and affection by her parents, Tom & JoAnn,
her brother Daryl, sister-in-law, Linda and nieces Brett Colleen, Ryann Elizabeth, Coree Ann.
Her name will never be erased from our hearts and minds.
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| Colleen's Mom - JoAnn Meehan |
May their souls and all the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace. Amen
