Postcards (memorial) facts for kids
Postcards is a special outdoor sculpture in St. George, Staten Island, New York City. It was built in 2004. This memorial honors 274 people from Staten Island. They died in the September 11 attacks in 2001. One person also died in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Many of these people worked at the World Trade Center. Some were police officers and firefighters. They helped rescue people when the towers fell. One person was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93. This plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
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Memorial Design and Meaning
Each person from Staten Island is honored at the memorial. They have a special granite plaque. Each plaque is about 9 by 11 inches (23 by 28 cm). It shows their name and when they were born. It also shows where they worked on September 11, 2001. A silhouette, which is a dark outline of their profile, is also on the plaque.
Looking Towards Ground Zero
The memorial has two walls that look like postcards. The space between these walls points directly to Ground Zero. This is where the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center once stood. The towers were destroyed on September 11, 2001.
All the silhouettes on the plaques face the same way. They all look towards Ground Zero. Standing between the walls can feel very powerful. Some people feel a connection to those who were lost. It is like everyone is looking together at the place where the towers used to be.
A Place for Remembrance
The attacks caused a lot of damage. It was hard to find remains of many people who died. James Molinaro, who was the Borough President of Staten Island, said something important. He said that many families did not receive any remains of their loved ones. For these families, the Postcards memorial acts like a cemetery. It is a place where they can remember and honor those they lost.
History of the Postcards Memorial
A New York architect named Masayuki Sono designed the memorial. He won a design competition in 2003. The memorial was planned for this spot. It is along the North Shore Waterfront. From here, you can see New York Harbor, Lower Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty.
Building and Dedication
Construction of the memorial started on September 11, 2003. It was built at New England Boatworks. The Postcards memorial was officially opened and dedicated on September 11, 2004.
Recent Renovations
In 2018, the mayor's office decided to improve the memorial. This happened after James Oddo, the borough president at the time, asked for help. The New York City Economic Development Corporation gave $250,000 for the work. Cleanup and renovation began in July 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Staten Island September 11 Memorial para niños
