Newseum Photo Mural

Another sobering exhibit at the Newseum is the memorial for journalists, photographers, broadcasters, and cameramen who have died in the course of getting and reporting news. Their names are etched in glass plates that rise two stories tall. There is also a wall mural with photographs of many of them as shown here. Makes you think twice about how dangerous the news can be, especially when powerful people may not want the world to know what they are up to.

Memorial Day Weekend

At the Pentagon City Mall. Have to say I've never seen a palace to consumerism decked out so patriotically. Though it was devoid of any blatant electioneering blather, it still seemed a bit irreverent. Memorial Day is supposed to remember the fallen who gave the last full measure of devotion so that we may live free. It's the bunting that makes it a tad too festive. It's fine for the 4th of July, but perhaps black wold be more appropriate with some mention of POW's & MIA's on this more somber day. Guess that wouldn't be such a great marketing strategy for the retailers though.

Reflections, National September 11 Memorial

Reflections off the mirrored glass of the museum at the National September 11 Memorial.

New World Trade Center Complex

A partial view looking north from the South Pool at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City. One WTC has been topped at 1,776 feet, making it the tallest building in the U.S. To it's right is Seven WTC,  completed in 2006. The Memorial Museum is in the foreground.

Visiting The National September 11 Memorial

This image, looking south, shows the effect of reflected sunlight from the surrounding mirrored-glass buildings situated to the east of the memorial onto the shadows of the visitors, trees, and plaza itself. Sunlight is coming from the west, or right side of the image. It's quite beautiful and a testament to the consideration given to the design of the memorial itself and the construction of the the new World Trade Center complex altogether.

National September 11 Memorial

Another image from the National September 11 Memorial-this of the reflecting pool on the footprint of the South Tower. Sun light is reflected from the glass clad buildings surrounding the site, resulting in a lovely play of light and shadow on the flowing water that rings the footprint and the plaza around it, light illuminating shadows. Deeply symbolic, at least, to me.

World Trade Center, June 2012

On the Big Trip back East this past Spring to meet our new grand-daughter for the first time, my wife and I also had the occasion to visit NYC, and thus, the opportunity to re-visit Ground Zero,  the new World Trade Center Tower, and the National September 11 Memorial. It was simultaneously inspiring, sad, and troubling for me-inspiring because it is a testament to our human and American spirit to not be cowed by tragedy and the progress made since our previous visit in 2009; sad because of the events on 9/11, those preceding that made it possible; troubling because of all that has transpired and been lost nationally and world-wide since.

Nevertheless, the experience was re-affirming: while I am eternally grateful for a loving family, friends, and associates, I am also reminded of my great fortune to live in a country whose greatness is founded on the principles of our Constitution and Bill of Rights, the greatest document to emerge from the Age of Enlightenment and brought forth by our Founding Fathers, which, by the way, also just happened to change the world forever. It also serves as a punch to the gut reminder that its guarantees have been mortgaged and paid for as much, if not more, by the blood  and sacrifice of all that have served us in our armed services from our earliest hours as a nation till now as it has by the collective political wisdom and insight of our best and brightest artists, writers, philosophers, educators, janitors, masons, ironworkers, policemen, firemen, doctors, lawyers, nurses, aides, interns, temps, farmers, fieldworkers, engineers, cabbies,  carpenters, plumbers, and oh, yes, investment bankers and politicians, too, making it possible for me to witness these Phoenix like moments, write these words, and recall Ben Franklin's response when queried about what type of government we have: "A republic, madam, if you can keep it."

With this in mind, and with this being an election year, please, if you are an American citizen, 18 years or older, register and vote. It's the least you can do for those who went before us and for those whose time is yet to come. Not to mention that whom you vote for also may determine whether we keep our Republic of, by, and for the people and not some some corporation masquerading as a person. Thanks for reading this far, if indeed, you have.

Pentagon 9/11 Victims Memorial

Victims of the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11 listed in chronological order from date of birth at the Pentagon's 9/11 Memorial.

Remembering 9/11, Washington, DC

The 9/11  Memorial at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. 9/16/2008