3 Lesser-Known 9/11 Memorials That Will Still Break Your Heart
We are quickly approaching the 24th anniversary of September 11th, 2001. On this day, four commercial jets were hijacked, one flew into the Pentagon, one crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and two hit the twin towers of the World Trade Site, causing the buildings to crumble. That day, these events claimed the lives of 2,977 innocent people. The memory of these horrific events will be forever emblazoned on the hearts of those who were there in person or watched on television. To keep the memory of those we lost alive, New York City has created memorials throughout the city. Some are official, such as the 9/11 memorial reflecting pools. Other memorials were created by the public in a moment of mourning or inspiration. Look for street art on the walls and mosaic collages in hidden corners. Others are unofficial memorials created or commissioned by those throughout the city. Here are some that we at Welcome to Times Square find especially moving.
11 Tears
Memorials can often come across as very cold and impersonal. Metal and stone tributes to the past covered in faceless names. American Express had offices at the World Trade Center, and they lost 11 employees that day. American Express commissioned a memorial for their lost employees that aimed to showcase their personalities and give warmth and life to the grieving process. The 11 Tears Memorial is an 11-sided pool, found in the lobby of the American Express Building at the World Financial Center, directly across the street from the World Trade Center site. Suspended above the 11-sided pool is an 11-sided quartz. The quartz is suspended by 11 wires connecting it to the ceiling above. From the ceiling, 11 tears perpetually fall into the pool below. Look in the pool. You’ll see the names of the 11 American Express employees, as well as words and phrases that described the humans. Some standout phrases are “Always Fabulous,” Loved Family, Adored Cats,” and “Bravest.” It is hard to not shed your own tears looking at the 11 Tears memorial.
The Kneeling Fireman
If you walk towards Grand Central Terminals on 43rd street from the West Side, you will eventually arrive at the Emigrant Savings Bank. In front of this building, you will see a large bronze statue of a Kneeling Fireman. The Kneeling Fireman was actually commissioned before 9/11. The Kneeling Fireman was commissioned by the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty. This statue was cast in Parma, Italy, and shipped to New York. It landed at JFK Airport September 9, 2001. The statue was sitting in customs at JFK airport on September 11th, 2001. Due to the hundreds of courageous missing firemen who ran into the buildings, it was decided that the 2,700 pound statue should stay in New York City, and another be cast for Missouri. New York City has many firefighter memorials throughout the five boroughs. The Kneeling Fireman is special both because of its scale and emotion, but also because it was here on September 11th, 2001. In many ways, The Kneeling Fireman was the very first firefighter memorial commemorating the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in 9/11.
The Koenig Sphere
The centerpiece of the original World Trade Center Site was a giant bronze sphere designed by Fritz Koenig. Its purpose was to promote world peace through trade. When the original twin towers collapsed, the debris destroyed five other buildings and a train station. The Sphere survived with minimal damage. New Yorkers hoped it would be fully fixed and restored to the World Trade Center site. Koenig described his sphere now as a “beautiful corpse.” Legend is he said he would fix it, but only when the world is at peace. Koenig sadly passed away in 2017. Today, the Koenig sphere sits atop Liberty Park, just south of the 9/11 memorial pools. It’s a reminder of New York City’s strength and resilience.
We have found a beautiful way to memorialize someone is to honor them on the Welcome to Times Square billboard. Visit our website to learn how.