This week at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA there is a display with 20 tons of steel from the World trade Center and a retired first-responder FDNY ladder truck that has too heavily damaged while working with rescue crews at ground zero
1.
American Flags and hand written notes adorn the rusted steel that was once part of the largest buildings in New York. A memorial visitor touches the metal and mourns.
2.
American Flags placed on the 20 tons of steel from the World Trade Center.
3.
Twisted metal that was the center of the financial world, not a memorial for the 2,753 souls who lost their lives on that day.
4.
"United America"
5.
"God Bless the USA"
6.
"God Bless America"
7.
FDNY logos removed during the traditional retirement ceremony ladder truck after it sustained too much damage to continue service during the rescue operations that followed 9-11-01. Local fire departments place their logo stickers to show the travels of the truck.
8.
The American Flag that flew from this FDNY truck on 9-11-01 is draped over the ladder in remembrance of the 341 brave fire fighters who lost their lives selflessly running into the burning towers.
Seeing this memorial was very moving, I have seen a piece from the World Trade Center at the Los Angeles City Fire Department Academy campus, but never this close before. I walked around the display photographing people and different angles for almost an hour before I finally stopped to touch the rusted steel. It was warm from the sun, and some rust came off on my hand. It felt wrong to wipe the rust off, almost un-American. The warm, rough feel of the twisted steel from the World Trade Center is something I will never forget like what I saw on TV when I woke up ten years ago on my 20th birthday.
Thank you for taking the time to read and look at my pictures.
