Postcards (memorial)

Coordinates: 40°38′48″N 74°4′35″W / 40.64667°N 74.07639°W

Postcards is an outdoor sculpture in the St. George neighborhood of Staten Island, New York City, US. Built in 2004, it is a permanent memorial honoring the 274 Staten Island residents killed in the September 11 attacks of 2001 and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.[1][2] The dead include many who worked at the World Trade Center, police and firefighters who joined the rescue effort, and one passenger on United Airlines Flight 93 who was lost in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. One individual who was killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing is also represented.

Design

Postcards 9/11 memorial, St. George Esplanade, Staten Island

The memorial is called Postcards because its two white marble wing sculptures represent large postcards, each standing 30 feet (9m) high, to loved ones.[3]

Each Staten Island victim is honored with a 9-by-11-inch (23 cm × 28 cm) granite plaque bearing their name, birthdate, and place of work on September 11, 2001 as well as their profile in silhouette.

History

Situated along the North Shore Waterfront near St. George Terminal, overlooking the New York Harbor, Lower Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty, the memorial was designed by New York architect Masayuki Sono, who won the design competition held in early 2003. Construction began on September 11, 2003. The opening and dedication took place on September 11, 2004.[4][5][6]

According to Borough President of Staten Island James Molinaro, "Maybe 60 percent of those of the people whose profile is here, their next of kin, their loved ones, didn't receive any remains. This is their cemetery."[7]

References

  1. "Staten Island September 11 Memorial". StatenIslandUSA.com. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
  2. "'Postcards' 9/11 Memorial Vandalized". Huffington Post. August 18, 2010.
  3. Postcards, Staten Island's 9/11 Memorial Gothamist, September 11, 2008.
  4. Engels, Mary (June 18, 2003). "'Postcards' Gets Nod For S.i. 9/11 Memorial". New York Daily News.
  5. "9/11 Memorial Unveiled On Staten Island". NY1 News. 09/10/2004. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. "9-11 Groundbreaking for Memorial On S.I.". New York Daily News. August 28, 2003.
  7. "Staten Island Memorials Honor Lives Of 274 Locals Lost". NY 1. 09/05/2011. Check date values in: |date= (help)