We moved into new office space on Maiden lane, across what is now known locally as "the pit" and is known to the rest of the world as "The former location of the twin towers". I can see the pit from our office windows.

Each day I arrive at the "E" train subway station that looks no different than it did in all the years I've been working in New York City. But I don't think I'll ever get used to walking south along the platform, exiting, and seeing daylight, when, since I was 10 years old, that walk always ended in the underground shopping mall that was below the towers.

It's all hustle and bustle now, locals in a rush, tourists snapping pictures of the pit, cars honking and vendors selling hot dogs - just like it used to be. But it's like a phantom pain from a missing limb. Each time I walk past the site, I remember that it's a killing field. I remember the helpless horror I felt as the towers came down, and the rage and fear that consumed me in the months afterward.

The pit itself is largely berift of movement, a few construction vehicles moving around for some pointless task or another. The plans for reconstruction are most likely stalled forever or close to it.

Perhaps the pit is the best monument - just a gaping hole, a scar in the ground from a wound that we'll never really be able to forget.

In my pocket, I clutch my flashlight and feel for my bandanna, the images of poison dust everywhere and entrapped victims stil vivid in my mind. My cell phone is charged, I have a whistle on my key chain, but does that matter? I don't know. It makes me feel better, knowing that I've made some effort to give myself a chance if, as every one puts it down here "something happens again".

Yep, I walked by there last thursday on my way to the Hoboken train. Since this is my first time in the big apple, I don't know quite what to make of that big hole. It is out of place, and yet, somehow it seems to belong there. I figured there'd have been a more prominent monument, something that clearly delineates this site for what it is, but I suppose the reality of it is enough. I have to say, walking the streets in that city, I feel naked; not quite as naked as I felt at times in Baghdad, but being the new kid in town definitely has my hair up. I've seen my share of the big city life, but I gotta tell ya, Baghdad has left it's mark on me.

The "Pit" is also known as "B6", and when I was working down there with one of the relief agencies a year after 9/11, that is what we were told to call it - and what a lot of the construction guys did - B6 as in "Basement 6" which was the lowest level of the WTC - aka where the floor of the pit is now

As Good and Commendable as many of the Memorial proposals have been, (including to a point even "carbon copy" reconstructing the Towers and vicinity exactly as they were, -maybe even a little taller), -I've personally found all to not quite exactly "hit the appropriate spot". I don't think we've quite hit the nail on the head, there!

Save perhaps one. (or 2, 3, or 4 as I shall also basically describe). These generally come down along the simplest, -yet most Tasteful, -of lines.

The first is that Twin Blue column of Light!, -that for a number of trial run months, -post 9-11, -shown directly up into the NYC sky and skyline so! I think that that would be a Perfect Memorial! Or very nearly so! The "nail" was at least very center on struck on the head!, -there! Why did this not last?! What ever has happened to this so Excellent of a Tribute?! Let's bring it back, Please! Whatever we do or do not do, -with any other sort of Tribute or Memorial. Perhaps the Color can be another, -but that Blue was Great nevertheless.

Possibilities 2, 3, and 4 involve 2)- Leaving it remain as the simple, cleaned out Pit, -that it now physically is. As described in this thread. I *do* think that some of the Wreckage, -preferably as it originally was, -should also remain up, -on or adjacent to even such a (Pit) Site.

Possibility 3 involves my and other's Idea and Inspiration, -to reconstruct the WTC Site exactly as it was, -but perhaps a bit Taller, and/or perhaps with some Memorial additions.

And Possibility 4 involves Finding that Fresh, New, Fitting, "Hit the Spot" Memorial Design, -to the extent such one(s) actually exist, -but just havn't been thought of by anyone yet.

Be Possibilities 2, 3, and 4 as they may. As well as all others that have so far been put forth for consideration. I personally think that the simple, Towering Light Columns as we've had (Possibility One), -so Very Well Hit the Mark and Spot! Whatever else we may do, -Let's Please bring that one back! As a People and a Nation! This is an Excellent Ball of which we should have never dropped!

Of course we experienced September 11th at more locations than just New York City or the WTC area, alone. Indeed, -all over and throughout our Nation, -and the larger world of People of Goodwill everywhere. But more concretely speaking, -the Pentagon and an isolated field in my homestate of PA, (which in turn of course substituted for wherever else that plane was wrongly being forced to!), -these are also just as much such Sites! And just as much Deserving of such an appropriate Memorial. Whatever that be. However Simple that may be.

Even more Important is our *own* Memorial(s), -in our own Minds and Hearts! And following through and Acting like it's so! We said we'd "Never Forget", -so let's go and be about *Remembering!* I think that we've watched and rewatched, -too many films of our 9-11 Experience, -in those immeadiate Days, Weeks, and Months thereafter, -and Too Little in the several Years now hereafter! We'd have been Hard on ourselves for Forgetting back then! We should be No Less so *now*! Have a Flag?, -Get it back out of the closet, -and back Up where it belongs! Sure this is far from the main or only thing in Life, -but give it it's Place and Due!

Now back to specific Memorial proposals and Efforts, -Let's certainly bring back!, -those so "Right On!", -of Twin, Towering Light Columns!

(Appropriately "Pardon" some "ranting" or OTing, -as may actually or seemingly exist here, -if you can. I've tried to keep it centered along the lines of a reply to the Memorial topic, -here in this thread). (Your description of your Pit Feeling and Experience, -I'd say is certainly quite ON topic.) [color:"black"] [/color] [email]martinfocazio[/email]

I'm probably breaking the rules I'm supposed to enforce as moderator here. The best memorial is a scaffold with bleachers and camera positions for Al Jezerha, BBC, CNN etc. The guest of honour is long overdue <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Target. Fire for effect.

Repeat.

Shot. Over.

Right on the money Boss.
Only thing missing after that is the "key" turning ceremony followed by a few hundred "pillars of fire".

But I'm silly like that

Benjamin, your OK man, I've got your back.