A view unlike any other at the 9/11 Memorial

I'm in a unique position. I see the arrivals of  most of the guests for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

They walk by the receiving desk at the lower Manhattan office on their way for construction updates, oral history appointments or consultations on exhibition design.  As they file pass me at breakneck speed, I'm always left with the sense that they're unaware of how many people who have visited this office, people as deeply involved as they are.

I also experience an abundance of telephone calls from some people whose names I recognize. Some I don't. Well, at least not at first.

One day a man called and  identified himself as Mike before asking to speak with 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels. Mike turned out to be New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Sitting at the front desk provides the opportunity to interact with many of these people and to see how all of their work is interwoven.  With six departments and more than 75 employees, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum team is a microcosm for the many professions that come together each week to work on a common goal. Ours is next year's opening of the 9/11 Memorial. The 9/11 Memorial Museum is scheduled to follow a year later.

As the opening dates draw near, I am certain many more faces - both old and new - will pass by the front desk.

By Alicia L. DiCristina, Receptionist to the 9/11 Memorial Museum