Unfortunately, in just a few months some misguided Americans have forgotten, in particular as concerns the area around the Ground Zero World Trade Center Site. The families and friends of those who died on that day have waited for a final decision on a proper memorial to their loved ones, especially those who were never recovered and are still there at ground zero. Nearly half of the 2,792 victims of the World Trade Center have yet to have been identified. The families rightful desire to see a fitting tribute to their loved ones on the site where they died and where many remain has taken a back seat to experiments in architecture and urban planning.
New heights of insensitivity were recently reached by the Members of Manhattan's Community Board 1 who are preparing a resolution opposing the creation of a memorial containing the remains of the unidentified victims of 9/11. These self centered individuals would prefer "a symbolic representation" because , per Chairwoman Madelyn Wils, "People feel very strongly about not wanting to live next to a cemetery." If this was not outrageous enough, Community Board 1 is on record as recommending using the space that would be allocated to a memorial as a garage for tour buses. Apparently, tourists visiting Ground Zero would not bother Community Board 1 as their members "get on with life", the tourist dollars acting as a wonderful balm.
This self centered, callous indifference is inexcusable and unconscionable. It stands in dark contrast to the selflessness shown by so many of the victims of that day who paid the ultimate price. The families of the victims are trying to fight this outrage. However, many in government are tuning them out and marginalizing them as they look to political expediency. It is up to us to keep the promises we made on 9/11, to show that this is an issue that touches all Americans, and to keep the faith by speaking out and showing we have not forgotten the victims of the World Trade Center. Send an email to Manhattan's Community Board 1 at info@cb1.org , e-mail Mayor Bloomnberg at http://nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html and Governor Pataki at http://www.state.ny.us/governor. Remind them that real people died on 9/11, not "symbols". They and their families deserve a fitting memorial at Ground Zero and that Community Boards attempts to sanitize 9/11 for their convenience is intolerable. A memorial for these victims and their families should be the number one priority at ground zero, they have earned it and we owe it to them.
NFC