Give 9/11 Families the Memorial They Desire

AP: Sept. 11 Families, Unions: Change Memorial---

NEW YORK - Families of people killed in the World Trade Center attack demanded Monday that officials redesign the memorial, saying the current plan is unsafe and disrespects victims by placing their names below street level.

Police and fire union leaders joined victims' families at ground zero to seek a new design, although construction on the "Reflecting Absence" memorial is set to begin in March.

"We're asking that the memorial see the light of day," Pat Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, told about 150 people.

The design, chosen two years ago by a panel of artists, civic and cultural leaders, and one Sept. 11 family member, marks the outlines of the twin towers with reflecting pools surrounded by the names of the nearly 3,000 people who were killed.

A tree-lined memorial plaza is planned for above ground, but the museum to commemorate the 2001 terrorist attacks and part of the memorial where the names are listed will be as much as 70 feet below street level.

"It is all wrong in its symbolism," said Rosaleen Tallon, whose firefighter brother was killed at the trade center. "I look up to the sky to remember him. I will never go down."

Tallon also said the underground design was a "death trap" for tourists in case of a fire or a terrorist attack. Families have said there should be four main ramps in and out of the memorial instead of two.

Is it so much to ask? Of course the Memorial ought to be above ground and soar so very high, like the Twin Towers once did . . . before merciless savage animals took them down.

The 9/11 Families have already gone through so much. The 9/11 Memorial must honor the innocents who died and the Freedom that was attacked. September 11 happened because we are free in this country and the primitive beings who flew planes of innocents into buildings of more innocents hate that freedom.

We must make sure people see the difference and see Freedom honored.

In a related note, it is important that we teach our children to value the freedom they receive in this country. Over at Woman Honor Thyself, Angel reminds us of FlagS Furling.