My friend asked me to go down to the Healing Field in Sandy with her and her kids. I wasn't planning on going and reluctantly agreed to go. I am so glad I did. it was an amazing experience. It was great to see and be a part of the program and unveiling of the Raising Hope Statue in front of City Hall.
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| There were rows of firetrucks. One of them, from Cedar Fort, had actually worked at Ground Zero, days after 9/11. From what I understand, Cedar Fort bought the truck from New York sometime afterwards. |
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| My kids, being ever so reverant among the flags. |
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| Helicopter |
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| During ceremony, they released 3000+ balloons, while Thurl Bailey sang God Bless America and My Country Tis of Thee. Each balloon representing persons who died that day. Watching them float up to the heavens, I was struck by the symbolism of them all. For me, the most moving part of the program. |
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| Just before they unveiled the statue |
The statue is a replication of this famous photo. The the sculptor flew to NY to ask these gentleman's permission to make the statue. They said no. They are every day men, just regular guys doing their job. They did not want to be looked to as hero's. The sculptor asked why they raised the flag that day. There response, to paraphrase, was to give hope to everyone and the nation. To show that we are not defeated. The sculptor replied, to paraphrase again, That is the reason you will let me do it. They agreed in the end.
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| Our family went down this afternoon, so that Matt could see it too. We drove by it tonight, it was awe inspiring with the lights shinin on it. |
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| Kooy shook hands with every soldier, thanking them. |
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| Healing Field |
So much has already been said about the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. I am not eloquent enough to write my thoughts and give them justice. So I won't. I just wanted to share these pictures.
Bonus: My friend and her daughter got their picture in the Salt Lake Tribune today. In print, the Utah section on the 2nd page, and on the web. You can see my face too. :)
Click here for article. We are photo #10 in the photo album.
2 comments:
I can't wait to get over there and see it! When I worked for the City the little eyebrow shaped area the statue is in was just grass. I designed the plan for the redo which made it into a plaza and now that they've capped it off with something so special, well, that's just awesome! Beyond anything I could have hoped or anticipated. I may have just chosen the shrubs and benches but I feel like I got to contribute to such a cool thing in a round about sort of way.
Great photos and your boys are adorable as always!
It was a very neat experience, thanks for going! I'm the "friend" you're referencing right?!?
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