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Visit to the World Trade Centre site (Ground Zero)

Information: This article is a personal reflection on the times I have visited the World Trade Centre (WTC) site in Manhattan, NYC (USA), also known as Ground Zero. So far I have visited this site three times. My first visit was in August 2004, my second in December 2005 and my most recent visit was in April 2006.

Introduction

In July 2001 I was in the USA touring Civil War sites, as part of a school history trip. However, little did anyone know who was on that trip, that in a matter of weeks the USA would be discussing a new kind of 'war': the War on Terror.

I still remember what I was doing and where I was on the 11th September 2001, as the attacks on the WTC took place. School had finished, and I was on my way to the staffroom, when a colleague called me into his room to watch the TV. He and I and the rest of the world could not believe what we were seeing. Hijacked commercial jets being deliberately flown into buildings by terrorists, the collapse of the Twin Towers, and the news that thousands of people had died.

BBC news report on the World Trade Centre attack

Being a Religious Studies teacher, the events of 9/11 provided a platform on which to discuss not only the morality of war, but also reflect on whole problem of evil and suffering. To do this, I designed a PowerPoint presentation which followed the events of 9/11 as they unfolded that day. I also asked my students to consider that if God could see what was going on and had the power to do anything, why did God do nothing to stop it? This issue becomes even more complex when God is said to be capable of performing miracles, some of which are said to be significant.

Ground Zero

I always find visiting Ground Zero (the WTC site) an extremely moving experience. It is a sobering thought, as one stands there, that this is the exact spot where the whole world witnessed scenes of mass destruction, chaos and death. I also feel each time I visit the site that I am literally visiting a cemetery. I mean, this is the place where thousands of people died on the 11th September 2001. It really brings back all the emotions of that day, and I find my mood is always somber as I walk around.

The author in front of the temporary transit station at World Trade Centre site (December 2005)

When I first visited the site in 2004, there were still buildings which had not been fully restored since 9/11. Even on my most recent visit in April 2006, I could still see evidence of where debris had hit buildings as the Twin Towers collapsed.

When I saw Ground Zero for the first time, I was amazed at how small the area was. It really is quite hard to imagine how the tall Twin Towers had been, and even more amazing to think that they collapsed in such a confined space. I mean, these towers were HUGE - 110 floors in each of them - and they had the potential to cause the deaths of even more people, were they to have toppled over into the surrounding buildings rather than collapsed downwards (as they did).

Ground Zero (December 2005)

One of the thoughts I always have as I watch people going about their business around the WTC site, is whether this place has become just another part of Manhattan for them. As I do not live or work here, visiting Ground Zero is always a significant moment for me, but I wonder what those who pass by it each day think of it now, (especially after all the political wrangling about what to do with the place, or build what to re-build there has gone on)? I wonder if the thoughts and feelings of local people have faded (or been jaded) in some way, due to their familiarity with the WTC site? Part of me hopes they would not, but part of me knows they inevitably will.

Something I really got upset about on my first visit, was seeing people selling memorabilia of the Twin Towers at Ground Zero. I was glad to see on subsequent visits that there were were fewer and fewer people doing this (I think it is now illegal to do so), but it made me angry to think of people trying to make a quick buck off the back of 9/11. Then again, others have written books and made films about the events of that day, so maybe my indignation is unjustified?

Something to think about: Should the WTC site be treated as a tourist attraction by people visiting Manhattan? Should people be allowed to sell memorabilia of the Twin Towers?

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WTC Cross

In the aftermath of the collapse of the Twin Towers, workers noticed the existence of cross-shaped pieces of steel in the debris. Now as the towers had been constructed by bolting and welding pieces of steel together, thereby creating cross-shaped beams in the process, it should come as no surprise that cross-shaped pieces of debris would be found. However, some people regarded the discovery of a cross in the rubble to be significant and symbolic, and as such one piece was moved to a more visible place, so that people passing by might see it.

I saw the WTC cross when I first visited the site in August 2004, but prior to doing so I had read about its existence (and some of the controversy surrounding it). Although many people considered it to be an appropriate symbol to display at the site (for the cross is a religious symbol of hope in the face of death), other were less than happy about its presence; notably certain atheist and Jewish groups. I personally had no particular feelings about the matter, but I can understand why some people might be upset at its presence there.

The World Trade Center Cross (August 2004)

Something to think about: Why might atheists and Jews be unhappy about a cross (a symbol of hope in the face of death), being erected at Ground Zero?

The cross was subsequently removed from the site in 2005, as construction began on the Freedom Tower (the main building in the new World Trade Centre complex).

When Coventry Cathedral was bombed by German forces during World War II, worker Jock Forbes noticed that two pieces of wood had fallen into a cross-shape amongst the debris. These were later placed on an altar of rubble, with the words 'Father Forgive' inscribed underneath. A smaller cross was later made from nails found amongst the debris. The Cross of Nails has become the symbol for Coventry Cathedral's International Centre for Reconciliation (ICR), which works to reconcile (resolve) violent conflicts around the world in a peaceful manner.

St. Paul's Chapel

St. Paul's Chapel is located directly opposite the WTC site. It is incredible to think that it survived the collapse of two110 storey buildings, only a few hundred yards away.

St. Paul's Chapel (August 2004)

The first American president George Washington worshipped at St. Paul's Chapel on the day he was sworn into office (Inauguration Day), on 30th April 1789. The chapel still contains the original pew he sat in.

When you walk into the chapel, the first thing you notice are lots of banners hanging from the balcony, . These banners are ones people left at the WTC site soon after 9/11, and they are displayed in the Chapel as a reminder and a testimony of how people responded to the events of that day.

Banners inside St. Paul's Chapel (December 2005)

In fact, the chapel has become somewhat of a depository for all sorts of things left at the site over the years; from photographs, flags and even stuffed animals.

A display of photographs people left at the WTC site (December 2005)

There was also a scroll for people to write prayers on, something I find rather an odd thing to do after an event such as this. I mean, why presume God is going to and can help people after 9/11, but seemed unwilling/unable to do so before?

Prayer scroll in the St. Paul's Chapel (December 2005)

Also dotted around the chapel were various works of art related to (and responding to) the events of 9/11. The most thought-provoking for me were those created from steel and debris from the Twin Towers, such as "The Chalice" and "The Cross".

Final thoughts...

If you ever get the chance to visit Manhattan, it is worth taking a few moments to visit Ground Zero. Being in and around that place is a very thought-provoking and moving experience. Despite all the renovation, building and modernisation going on there today, this will always be the place where thousands of workers in the Twin Towers, members of the New York Fire Department, and passengers and crew on two planes flying to Los Angeles, lost their lives in the name of misjudged political and religious causes.