Staff photographer Amy Dreher snaps a lot of pictures at the World Trade Center site, documenting the construction progress. Amy also trains her lens on the smaller pieces that may be overlooked with a project of this magnitude. Through “The Lens: Viewing the 9/11 Memorial,” readers of The MEMO blog can share some of the unique vantage points captured by Amy.

Still moved: Even after working daily at the National September 11 Memorial, a 9/11 Memorial visitor services host is taken in by the power of the South Pool and pauses for a moment of reflection.  

By 9/11 Memorial Staff  

Thanks to a community effort in Greenville County, S.C., residents are able to commemorate 9/11 in their hometown.

A 1,360-pound piece of World Trade Center steel now stands on a pedestal in the center of Greenville’s World Trade Center Memorial Plaza. According to a recent story in GreenvilleOnline.com, pieces of concrete surround the steel as a reminder of the rubble left by the towers’ collapse. 

After a private fundraising campaign to bring the I-beam to Greenville County and build the memorial, the plaza officially opened to the public on Independence Day at a local fire district headquarters. Organizers say that supporters “dropped dollars in boots and businesses donated money, services and materials” for months before the memorial was able to open.

By Allyson Philobos, Communications Associate for the 9/11 Memorial  

In the aftermath of 9/11, the U.S. flag – symbolic of strength and rebuilding – gave hope to Ground Zero recovery workers and people across this country.

As part of the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s mission to “recognize the endurance of those who survived, the courage of those who risked their lives to save others, and the compassion of all who supported us in our darkest hours,” museum curators have been collecting tribute items that draw on the symbolism of the flag.

See a sample of tributes to 9/11 that incorporate the American flag in an exclusive online gallery.  Additional images and details are also available on Pinterest.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff 

Earlier today, NY1 reported that a gust of wind caused a steel load to break glass on the south side of 4 World Trade Center.  As a precautionary measure, the 9/11 Memorial was evacuated and will remain closed for the rest of the day.

The 9/11 Memorial Visitor Center and the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site remained open and are operating under normal schedules.

Normal visiting hours at the 9/11 Memorial will resume Thursday, June 28.  Reserve free visitor passes at 911memorial.org.  Memorial officials sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the closure. 

 By 9/11 Memorial Staff 

Many children were too young to remember the tragic events of 9/11. A new documentary directed and produced by a Leman Manhattan Preparatory school teacher explores this topic by collaborating with high school students to reflect on their experiences when the Twin Towers fell more than 10 years ago.

In an interview with CNN, director-producer Jennifer Casriel says the idea for the film “It Was a Tuesday” came to her as she was talking with her students about “how lucky they were to be New Yorkers.”

“I was impressed with the fact that they could really remember so vividly what happened to them 10 years earlier when they were six years old,” recalled Casriel, stunned at the students’ recollection of 9/11.

The documentary is being praised because of its unique take on story telling. The film is not just about the students’ memories.  Casriel also gave her students cameras to interview their parents at home to capture their perspectives.

“It Was a Tuesday” will be featured at the 6th Annual Manhattan Film Festival on July 1. For more information, visit itwasatuesdayfilm.wordpress.com. 

By 9/11 Memorial Staff 

Today, a significant milestone in construction was celebrated at the World Trade Center as 4 World Trade Center, a project of Silverstein Properties, held its “topping off” ceremony.

According to the Associated Press, the final steel beam was placed on top of the 977 foot skyscraper, signifying the finishing of its structural framework. This will be the first building to open at the World Trade Center site, and upon its completion, 4 World Trade Center will be the 6th tallest building in New York.

Regarding the building’s design, architect Fumihiko Maki told The New York Times that he, “embraced the idea that an office tower at ground zero ought to be a respectful backdrop to the National September 11 Memorial."

To watch the progress of the entire WTC site, follow EarthCam’s live World Trade Center cams.

 By 9/11 Memorial Staff

President Barack Obama visited the World Trade Center today for a status update on construction.  Obama toured the One World Trade Center skyscraper with 9/11 Memorial Chairman Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. He greeted construction workers and signed a steel beam that will be installed atop One WTC, according to DNAInfo.com.

The president visited the 9/11 Memorial on the 10th anniversary of the attacks, as family members of the victims saw their loved ones’ names at the finished memorial for the first time.  He was also on site to lay a wreath at the Survivor Tree following the killing of Osama bin Laden in U.S. military operation. 

By 9/11 Memorial Staff  

The 9/11 Memorial is continuing to find ways to connect supporters and visitors through sharing photos, stories and memories.  Virtual bulletin board Pinterest is the newest addition to the 9/11 Memorial’s online community. 

Follow the 9/11 Memorial’s boards, which include images of the memorial itself, ways to support the memorial, video, 9/11 tributes from around the world and more.  Tag your memorial pins with #911Memorial.  And share our pins on your boards to bring the 9/11 Memorial to pinners everywhere.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff 

At the time of its completion, One World Trade Center, or what is commonly known as the Freedom Tower, will soon scrape the New York City skyline at 1,776 feet. The height of the tower symbolically represents the year that Continental Congressformally adopted the Declaration of Independence, charting a path of freedom for this great nation.

For centuries, we’ve enjoyed the fruits of liberty, which was due in large part to brave men and women who proudly serve in our military forces.  Freedom is not, nor shall ever, be free.  Protecting it bears a price.  The price paid is not in currency, but in sacrifice.  Sacrifice from the few, selfless warriors whose actions speak volumes – their dedication without reserve.  They are the sons and daughters of our nation who risk their lives to protect ours and the freedoms we enjoy.

They come home wounded, forever changed.  As these wounded warriors return home, many face difficult times.  Their fight continues long after their time in service.

What do you do for those service members who provided the blanket of freedom that protects us and has been physically or mentally injured?  How do you ensure their sacrifices do not fade from our memory?

I asked myself the same questions and created an event to help spread awareness to the actions of our heroes.

On May 26, this Memorial Day weekend, I will execute a one-man, 100-mile run under 30 hours, circling around the World Trade Center to support wounded warriors and their families and to honor the sacrifices of our heroes who have shown the courage, commitment and dedication that has been the hallmark and strength of our nation. Learn more at www.hundredmilemarine.org.

As former Pres. Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

Please help me support those who have fought for and protected our freedom. Together, we can show these great warriors the enduring respect they deserve.

By Brian Gallagher

Gallagher, of Fairfield, N.J., is a former Marine born and raised in New York City.

The 2012 TED Conference in California brought together some of “the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers.”  Each was challenged to give the talk of their lives on a breadth of content including science, business, the arts and the global issues facing our world.

One of the speakers at TED was Steve Rosenbaum, the Magnify CEO and documentarian who has been following the rebuilding of the World Trade Center for more than 10 years.  Rosenbaum took TED attendees on a private tour of development of the 9/11 Memorial Museum and demonstrated the thought and consideration that has taken place around each aspect of the museum.

See video of Rosenbaum’s TED Talk and read more about his experience following the museum’s progress on the TED Blog.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff