The names of those who were killed on September 11, 2001, are inscribed on the bronze border of all four walls of the two enormous pools. I was moved by the signs that encouraged us to touch the names as we walked around the pools. The oldest victim was 85, the youngest was 2. Among the inscribed names I saw at least four that gave a mother's name "and her unborn child." More than 400 are those of the police and firemen who gave their lives trying to save others.
Only a few names had a white rose on them. A dead leaf had fluttered down on two of them. I saw an older woman sobbing, bent over a name, her husband standing behind her embracing and supporting her. It looked like a few younger family members huddled beside them.
As I walked slowly around each pool, touching the names and praying for the victims and their families, I felt the enormity of the loss. I prayed, too, that this beautiful work of art might comfort the grieving.
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