Dear Commissioner,
I understand that the Parks and Recreation Commission will be taking up the issue of the 9/11 Memorial on their September meeting on September 19, 2011. While there is a 45 min chance that I may be present when this item comes up, I know that the Commission has other items to discuss as well, so if I can not stay (as a result of the conflict with the regularly scheduled meeting of the BOA), I would like to at put my thoughts in writing for the Commission.
I am writing in support of the 9/11 Memorial effort. Not only for the idea, but for the design that they have chosen and for the location at City Hall just outside the War Memorial circle.
As I am sure that many of you will attest, September 11, 2001 was a traumatic day for our country. It is one of those days that ten years later, people can still recite for you minute by minute what they were doing when the first plane hit, when the second plane hit, when the other planes crashed and when the twin towers finally collapsed. It was that kind of day.
It was also a wake-up call for our country. In the beginning, perhaps there was some over reaction — some over compensation –of security policies that had been too lax. But over the past ten years, I believe we are coming to some practical balance of awareness without the panic. Each citizen walks more alert of the world outside our borders and appreciation for what we have. These were hard earned lessons to learn. We will never be able to bring back those innocents and those heroes that died that day. But by learning our lesson well and not forgetting what was taught … then at least we will be able to reap something positive from that tragic day.
This Memorial will be that reminder. The design truly honors those that were lost yet provides a reminder of the lessons we have and can learn. As a contemplative and honorary spot next to City Hall, it pays respect not only to the residents that we lost, but also pays respect to the City. I applaud the initiative as well as the responsibility of these private citizens who have organized to erect this Memorial and who have committed to help continue the message and maintain the site. I appreciate the due diligence that you, as a Commission, must perform to protect the best interests of our city. But I sincerely hope that you will find that it would be our City’s best interests not only to have this Memorial, but to have it close and nestled next to City Hall as the organizers hope to have it.
Thank you so much for your time and service to the city!
Sincerely,
Greer Tan Swiston
Alderman-at-Large, Ward 3