Sophia Sassoon

The New One World Trade Center.

Finally, 11 years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the hole that terrorists blasted into the New York skyline has been filled in.

The new One World Trade Center now reaches 1,368 feet into the sky. Though still unfinished, it dominates lower Manhattan, a shimmering guidepost, visible from miles away in every direction just as the iconic Twin Towers once were.

“The thrill is back,” said Pat Harris, of Sayville, a charter boat captain who has been taking passengers to the North Cove Marina near the trade center for 22 years. Before 9/11, “seeing the [Twin Towers] after a sail in New York Harbor meant so much for everyone on board,” Harris said. With the rising tower more than a quarter-mile high, “I’m feeling that New York drama again. At night it’s unbelievable when it’s all lit up.”

A note from a Lady:  (newsday.com) 

Anne Ielpi, whose firefighter son Jonathan, 29, was among the nearly 3,000 killed, said that each day she crosses the Saddle Rock Bridge in great neck, she sees “a beautiful tower” rising 15 miles to the southwest and takes a measure of satisfaction.

The loss of her son was “a wound that doesn’t heal,” she said. But the emerging skyscraper, popularly known as the Freedom Tower, “tells those animals [the terrorists] they haven’t won, and that we have to go on every day.”

As I was wondering around the financial district, off to pay rent as the offices are just by the memorial. I walked out of the office building and at first; if I’m honest I noticed nothing. I then caught this glimmer in the corner of my eye. Spun around and to my astonishment the building was just there in front of me standing tall in all its glory. Such a beautiful structure and truly breathtaking, although not entirely finished it still is an iconic statement for New York, with meaning that could help heal more wounds without having to say any words. It brings New Yorkers that feeling that we are all tall, and no matter what life throws at us were just going to get up and rise higher. And I truly believe by creating new Marvels. It just shows what the human race is capable of with the commitment we have for our nation and our city. Nothing can stop a person when they have a dream. 

Lastly a note from one of the 2 main architechts Libeskind : 

For all the changes, “It is something I am so proud of,” Libeskind said of Ground Zero. “In the beginning, there was a hole, a kind of sadness. I see the change on people’s faces. It is no longer a void. It has to be an inspiration, like the great piazzas of Italy. It will have millions of visitors.”