Of the items that remained from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, identification cards of personel were some of the most prevalent.  Salvaged by recovery workers and forensic experts from the Fresh Kills landfill, a recovered ID badge was often the only evidence that someone had been in the WTC complex on Sept. 11. Authorities went to great lengths to return IDs to victims’ families and survivors.

Some who hastily evacuated the towers on 9/11 left their photo ID badges behind. Christopher Briggs Young, a temporary employee for Marsh & McLennan Insurance Company and one of the last to escape the North Tower before its collapse, retained the visitor pass that was issued at 8:30 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 11. Young was on his way to deliver a box of meeting materials to the 99th floor when he was trapped, alone, in an express elevator.  After a half an hour, the collapse of the South Tower triggered a power failure that disabled the motor keeping the elevator doors sealed. Young extricated himself from the elevator and escaped from the building, running as the North Tower crumbled behind him. Learn more about other stories online.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is interested in acquiring World Trade Center ID badges and learning the individual stories associated with each. Please contact collections@sept11mm.org if you wish to donate one to the permanent collection.

By Jan Ramirez, Chief Curator for the 9/11 Memorial Museum

Bring out your friends. Bring out the co-workers. Hockey is always on, and so is the fun. Stone Street Tavern in the Financial District is welcoming to all patrons, accommodating to your rough day at work or your latest bonus.  A recent supporter of the national 9/11 Memorial's Signs of Support campaign, Stone Street Tavern is a true staple.

Enjoy the patio on steamy, summer afternoons, or warm up inside with a fine ale during the winter months.  Take a stroll down historic Stone Street for a bite and a brew, and you will not be disappointed. We’d like to thank them not only for their tremendous service and good cheer, but their support to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum--rallying around a cause so vital to New York and the nation. Join us in recognizing Stone Street Tavern as an avid supporter of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

By Norm Dannen, Public Affairs Associate

 Staff photographer Amy Dreher snaps a lot of pictures at the World Trade Center site, documenting the construction progress of the 9/11 Memorial. 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.

A unique hard hat:  To all the construction workers dedicated to rebuilding the World Trade Center site, have a  Happy New Year!

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Staff photographer Amy Dreher snaps a lot of pictures at the World Trade Center site, documenting the construction progress of the 9/11 Memorial. 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.

Work before work:  After a winter storm blanketed New York City, a crew cleared snow from the World Trade Center site so construction workers can pickup where they left off - building the 9/11 Memorial.  

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

The trailer for the documentary "New York Says Thank You" provides a glimspe into a 9/11-inspired nation banding together to volunteer. The title of the documentary is taken from the national charity group founded by Jeff Parness. Read more about   New York Says Thank You Foundation.  The movie is to be released in 2011. (No official release date as of Dec. 27.) 

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Staff photographer Amy Dreher snaps a lot of pictures at the World Trade Center site, documenting the construction progress of the 9/11 Memorial. 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.

Light dusting: Next year, the 9/11 Memorial's north pool will have tens of thousands of gallons of water flowing through it, feeding 30-foot waterfalls. Recently, a scattered snow fall left a light dusting of frozen water.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Watch the full episode. See more Thirteen Forum.

A panel of leaders from volunteer organizations ended this year's "9/11, Tomorrow and Today" speakers series earlier this month. For upcoming events in 2011, visit national911memorial.org.

If you weren't able to make the speakers series event at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site at 20 Vesey St., watch it here or on Thirteen Forum courtesy of WNET.org.

Here's a little about those three leaders, who met the challenge of service, response and relief and crisis counseling across the county and globe:

Jay S. Winuk is co-founder and vice president of MyGoodDeed, the nonprofit organization that led the advocacy campaign to establish 9/11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance, which was signed into law by President Obama in April 2009.  On Sept. 11, 2001, Jay lost his younger brother Glenn J. Winuk, an attorney and volunteer firefighter, who was killed in the line of duty when the South Tower collapsed.  Millions of people from all 50 states and countries all over the world now mark Sept. 11 to serve people and communities in need. Also attending will be Bill Keegan of H.E.A.R.T. 911 and a member of the New York Says Thank You Foundation.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

Shep discusses the future of the World Trade Center site with World Trade Center Properties, LLC President, Janno Lieber. The two chat about the importance of having new, high-tech buildings downtown to attract potential tenants, the turnover of city, state, and local governments over the years, and current status of construction.

Fox News has been documenting the progress at the World Trade Center site. Catch past episodes here.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Staff photographer Amy Dreher snaps a lot of pictures at the World Trade Center site, documenting the construction progress of the 9/11 Memorial. 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.

Hung with care: World Trade Center construction workers recently posted this colorful stocking. Since the 9/11 attacks, another year - and holiday - will soon pass. But the expiring months of 2011, will mean one day closer to the opening of the 9/11 Memorial on Sept. 11, 2011.  Over the holidays, while spending time with your family, remember the families who lost loved ones on 9/11.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

Above: Veteran news anchor Shepard Smith narrates another installment of the Fox News video series, “Rise of Freedom.”

Shep takes us to Hoboken, NJ, to meet Ed Wood and Leszek Stefanski, partners of Radii Inc – a firm responsible for creating exceptionally detailed and accurate scale models, including one of the World Trade Center site. Lasers precisely cut the models, guided by actual architectural plans.

“If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a model is worth a million,” exclaims Ed Wood.

Fox News has been documenting the progress at the World Trade Center site. Catch past episodes here.

By Norm Dannen, Public Affairs Associate