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ONE WORLD TRADE: REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
One World Trade Center is the lead building of the new WTC complex in Lower Manhattan, with 104 stories in the northwest corner WTC site. The site covers about 16 acres and 1 WTC occupies where the original 8-story 6 WTC once stood. Construction of the foundation began in April of 2006.
Due for completion in 2013, 1 WTC may be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. There is controversy over the spire on the top of the building, reaching a symbolic 1,776 feet. The number in feet equals the year of American independence. Should the spire contribute to the height of the building as an architectural piece? Standing at 408 feet tall, the spire was originally intended to be constructed with fiberglass and steel on the outside. Recently, there was a proposed change of design and materials for the spire. Without the construction of fiberglass and steel surrounding the spire, some might say the 408 foot structure is now an antenna causing debate over the overall height.
To see a time-lapse video of One World Trade in construction, click here.
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FACING TRIAL IN GUANTANAMO BAY
Five accused al Qaeda terrorists, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the planner of the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, have been arraigned this month and will face trial in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Legal experts anticipate that the trial could take years.
A small number of families of September 11th victims were chosen by lottery to attend the trial. Other family members may watch the trial via closed circuit television at military bases across the country.
Eddie Bracken, whose sister Lucy Fishman was murdered on September 11th, attended the arraignment and said, "We were invited to meet with the trial's lawyers. I wanted to meet with the people who would defend the men who killed my sister. I can tell you they are the best of the best. They are going to defend them to the letter of the law. I might not like it, but rule of law is what our country is built on, and without it, we're finished - which is exactly what the terrorists want.
It's a tribute to Lucy just to go down there and have such access to our justice system. Now I know that we've got the best in the world. I'm going to look at Veterans Day and Memorial Day in a whole new way. It woke me up a better American."
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GUIDED TOURS ON THE 9/11 MEMORIAL
The Docents of the Tribute Center celebrated their sixth month anniversary giving tours on the 9/11 Memorial. Over 1,000 tours have been provided to the public in both rain and shine. How are the docents feeling about sharing their story on this national platform? To find these answers about 125 docents recently completed a survey, sharing feedback and personal experiences. Here are some outcomes from this self-study.
The docents that completed the study represent an even distribution of years- in-the-program, and all participant groups were equally represented. We asked the docents to share the feedback that they get from the visitors on their tour.
Here are some of their comments:
"Many have said it exceeded their expectations. They gave us kisses, (which I accept) and offer tips (which we do not accept). Several people have been returnees."
"People appreciate the effort that we as volunteers provide. They feel it is very important that we tell our stories. It helps people feel the reality of what we felt on 9/11. They get a better understanding of the scope of the destruction".
"I like when people say they are reluctant to take the tour but they are glad that they did in the end."
A visitor recently wrote "It's desperately sad, but inspiring at the same time...the tour has changed me and my outlook on life. I never expected to get so much from it personally."
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NEW YORK WELCOMES FLEET WEEK 2012
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Fleet Week is made up of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard. Traditionally, ships deployed overseas in major cities hold one week of military demonstrations, water and aviation shows for the public.
New York City has participated in Fleet Week since 1984. This year begins on May 23rd through the 30th. Thousands of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships will be in Manhattan for Fleet Week New York. Ships will come in at New York Passenger Ship Terminal on the Hudson River on the West Side of Manhattan and at Stapleton Pier in Staten Island.
The first Fleet Week was celebrated in 1935 located in San Diego during the California Pacific International Exposition. The years between World War I and World War II, most United States citizens experienced little sense of urgency about foreign developments because of isolationism and concerns with the Great Depression. However, then-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who performed in the Navy, persisted to expand the U.S. Navy. A major aircraft company was moving to Lindbergh Field, now San Diego International Airport. It was here, Fleet Week began.
For more information, go to fleetweeknewyork.com
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TRIBUTE'S 6TH ANNUAL POETRY READING
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Tribute held its 6th annual poetry reading in recognition of National Poetry Month (April) on April 30. Poets included students from two schools in which the teachers have engaged their classes in ongoing and multifaceted projects connected to 9/11 - William McKinley IS 259 in Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn and Elysian Charter School in Hoboken, New Jersey. Downtown resident Marilyn Vasta read a profound piece written by her then 11-year-old daughter Emma Vasta-Kuby who wrote, "It was history, and we knew it, could feel it in the air. We could tell that this is something that we'd never forget. Something that was meant to be kept, stored within a black section of our hearts. As terrible as fear, and as dark as midnight in a starless sky."
Docent Peter Messana talked with the students about his feelings working on the recovery and read his poem "The Spirit of 343". The reading culminated with a masterful, lyrical recitation by poet Alan Britt of his 9/11 pieces and one by his student. Britt is a Professor of English and Creative Writing at Towson University in Maryland, and after the reading he engaged with the other readers in remarkable conversations about poetic language and process. Three 7th grade students asked him, "How do you get in the zone to write your poems?" The professor in turn said he couldn't believe that young students had such a profound understanding of the poetic voice. A book of all of the poems that were read, and additional poems by Bob Schneck and Alison Carb Sussman, is available at the Tribute Center until the end of May.
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TRIBUTE CENTER HONORS NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD
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The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 triggered an unprecedented mobilization of New York National Guard forces that continues to this date. Never in our nation's history has a National Guard force done as much for so long for homeland and national defense.
On May 18th, recognizing National Armed Services Day, Tribute Center will be
honoring the New York National Guard. Guardsmen who responded on September 11th, the new generation of soldiers and airmen who have carried the fight overseas to Afghanistan and Iraq, their family members and senior military officers have been invited to Tribute for a special reception and private tour of the museum's galleries.
Within hours of the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 1,500 New York National Guard troops reported for duty. Within twenty-four hours of the attacks, over 8,000 of New York National Guard Soldiers, airmen and women were on active duty supporting New York State's security needs. Troops secured the area, rushed in supplies and assisted with the rescue and recovery. September 11th was just the beginning. The total of New York Army National Guard Soldiers called up for federal duty, for either Iraq or Afghanistan, since 2003 has passed the 10,000 mark last January - about 6,000 Soldiers served in Iraq and more than 4,000 have now been assigned to Afghanistan or for security duties in Kuwait.
Tribute gives heartfelt thanks to the New York National Guard for their service.
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VISITOR CARDS FROM THE TRIBUTE CENTER
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Here are just a few visitor cards from our extraordinary collection:
English Translation: I have lived in NY for 40 years. After ten years I have the courage to come to the memorial. The memories are intense and the pain is real, but what is more real is the love that is in the hearts of New Yorkers. Only love can give life where there is none. My respect and love for all.
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WORLD TRADE CENTER NEWS & EVENTS
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The September 11th Widows and
Victims Families' Association, Inc., a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization,
supports victims of terrorism and their families through education,
communication and peer support.
The Tribute WTC Visitor
Center, a program of the
Association, connects and educates visitors with personal experiences of
terrorism. Programs, exhibitions, and tours lead by volunteers who experienced
the effects of terrorism first hand convey personal and varied perspectives and
inspirational acts of generosity. Programs inspire understanding and compassion
among cultures.
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WAYS YOU CAN HELP & FIND INFORMATION
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VISIT THE TRIBUTE CENTER
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MAKE A DONATION
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programs growing, and to continue teaching visitors from around the world.
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DONATIONS
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Donate now to support the Tribute Center and educational programming.
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9/11 MEMORIAL
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Click here for more information on how to access the 9/11 Memorial plaza.
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GRAY LINE
Tribute WTC
is included
in Gray Line's New York sightseeing package, a double decker bus tour. Visit Freestyle New York for more details.
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