Headed home after chores and some beach photography...driving by Freedom Park, but decided not to stop since I'd already got some shots and had lots of other 'to dos" - until I saw the wreath placed at the unfinished Freedom Memorial at the park and had to reverse course. There was a solitary man there when I drove by. I met him at the parking lot when I arrived and he asked if I was headed to the memorial. When I responded affirmatively and that I'd not planned to but I'd seen him place the wreath there and turned around, he was touched and said 'thank you' before he drove away. It was as if the grief of so many sacrifices from nine years ago accumulated on the shoulders of this man and he welcomed a chance to share. Some other people share through StoryCorps.
Though there may have been other events in America's history that were as profoundly disturbing, the loss of life so innocent on September 11, 2001 was a marker in my lifetime and one that undeniably shattered a naivete of monocular vision for the nation. Although the phrase "Freedom isn't free" is very familiar to those of us who grew up in the military, the concept of freedom took on an entirely different meaning with such an unexpected and seeming inexplicable aggression. So my moment to reflect on (and to shed tears for) that tragedy's anniversary at a visioned, but stark, tribute to those lost...and time to send in my contribution towards finishing the memorial. Freedom Park, Naples, FL
Saturday, September 11, 2010
09.11.10
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thanks for sharing the photo and the story. Very touching.
ReplyDeleteI didn't notice the wreath until you pointed it out. A poignant story. I do like all the undulating lines of the memorial and the shadows. Despite the tragedy it reaches up - moving on but never forgetting.
ReplyDelete