America's Response Monument dedicated near WTC

Heavy rain dominated the weather today which was very fitting for the dedication of the America's Response monument at its new home outdoors at the foot of the Freedom Tower at the side of the World Trade Center.  The statue, created by sculptor Dowe Blumberg, is an homage to the brave U.S. Special Forces units who rode into the rugged mountains of Afghanistan on horseback in search of the Taliban, shortly after 9/11.

Bill White, President and CEO of Constellations Group, served as master of ceremonies with members of the U.S. Special Forces Unit, NY Police and Fire in attendance.
Here are some of the images of the day .. (Click on any photo to enlarge).

 Members of the elite Special Forces Unit in front of the drape prior to the unveiling of the Monument.

 Sculptor Dowe Blumberg talking about his inspiration for the statue, saying he was "humbled to use" his "God-given talent" to create this lasting memorial.

 Constellations Group President Bill White at the podium, a long-time supporter of our Troops.

 Lt. Gen. John Mulholland, Commander of Special Operations Command.

 One of three wreaths which were placed at the foot of the statue during the dedication ceremony.

The Special Forces pose in front of their statue, placed in the center of walkways where thousands of workers pass each day.

For more about the sculptor and the process of creating this sculpture, please click here to see YouTube video ..   And for the Wikipedia entry with more info .. Click here.
To view my website, click here .. and to become a fan of my FaceBook page, please visit here.  Thank you!

Village of Ridgewood Remembrance Service

As the sun set, I left Veteran's Park in Glen Rock and headed back to Ridgewood to photograph their Remembrance Service at Van Neste Square in the center of town.

Residents reading the program in the darkness.  With such low light, photo opportunities were a challenge, but two other photographers and I tried not to be intrusive with our flash units.

The Interfaith Religious Leaders of Ridgewood took turns at the podium, each reading lines dedicated to each victim, part of a poem dedicated to "Ridgewood's Twelve" as they are known. 

The Mayor, Council, and Firemans Honor Guard

Singer presented a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.

With the 9/11 memorial behind her, and residents standing in respect, the local cantor sang "God Bless America"

Sixty photos of this, and the other Ridgewood Memorial, can be found by clicking here on Ridgewood Patch.com.  (They are not in order).

Glen Rock Remembers September 11, 2001

From the inspiring service at West Side Presbyterian Church, I drove a few miles south into Glen Rock to photograph their service, held at the 9/11 Memorial at Veterans Park.  The leaders of the community gathered with the residents to honor and remember the 11 residents lost that day.

This stunning memorial features steel beams from the towers and each of the 11 residents' names engraved in a bench nearby.

The park was filled to capacity.  Boy Scouts handed out programs to each resident as they arrived.

This retired soldier with two tours in Iraq is greeted by residents.

Musician prepared a song especially for the event.

To see 24 photos of the service as well as the program, click here to visit Glen Rock Patch.com.

Service of Remembrance, Healing and Hope at West Side Presbyterian Church

Being asked to shoot six 9/11 memorials this year was a true honor.  I'm flattered that editors and event coordinators would entrust me with preserving memories for the 10th anniversary of that horrific day which stunned us all.

Sunday afternoon, I started doing a "man on the street" shoot, randomly approaching people to ask for their thoughts about 9/11, and to ask if they'd mind being photographed for the community website, Patch.com. 

I spoke with the local volunteer firemen who related how they all came to headquarters that day to help any way they could .. A psychoanalyst who tries to dwell on the positive aspects of 9/11, how it pulled us all together .. The mother of 3 children, two of whom were just toddlers 10 years ago .. A group of teens who remember their parents sad reactions that day .. A former phys ed teacher who watched the towers burn from the roof of a New Jersey field house .. And a business owner who said he wants to remember the feelings of vulnerability and community that 9/11 inspired.

West Side Presbyterian Church was the site for an afternoon remembrance in Ridgewood, NJ, where 12 of its residents were lost.  A majestic place with seating for hundreds, every seat was taken.  The orchestra and choir presented a moving rendition of Gabriel Faure's Requiem.  (Click on any photo to enlarge).

As a stained glass artisan, I was in awe of the craftsmanship in these windows.

Flash was not permitted.  All photos taken with my Nikon D300s and Nikkor 70-200mm VR II 2.8 lens.  Most at ISO800, various f stops and shutter speeds.

This woman's face was so haunting, her sorrow.

People took a great deal of comfort in being together on this day.

Sixty photos from this, and two other memorials shot today, can be seen by clicking here, on Ridgewood Patch.com.  (Due to issues with the site's uploader, the first several photos are not in order).

9/11 Anniversary Memorial at Intrepid Museum

A touching sunset ceremony was held at Intrepid's pier last night at the site of their 9/11 memorial.  Here are a few images from the evening. (Click on any to enlarge).

Active military, veterans, Intrepid staff and the public gathered on the pier to reflect on the events of 9/11 and to honor those who perished.

The 9/11 memorial is lit for the evening.

ROTC ladies holding roses to place at the memorial.

As the sun went down, people lined up to place a rose at the base of the memorial, two beams from the World Trade Center.

More photos on FaceBook or Proof Positive Photography website.

9/11 Memorial Tree planted at Glen Rock Borough Hall

From Glen Rock Patch ..
"Glen Rock has come together and created a living memorial spread out across the borough to mark the 10 year anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"The 11 Neighbors 11 Trees project saw to fruition the planting of 11 swamp oaks — one for each Glen Rock resident who died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

"The project culminated in a small event Thursday morning in which Mayor John van Keuren and others from various borough committees got together to plant the roots of the final tree."

 

Please click on Glen Rock Patch.com for the full article and to view 19 photos of the event.

9/11 North Jersey Photo tribute .. Ten Year Anniversary

My photo of Glen Rock's former mayor Richard Hahn was included in a wide ranging photo tribute to those we lost, and those who served, in our local North Jersey communities. See more photos and read the stories at Glen Rock Patch.com. The article is entitled "Ten Years Later .. How We Remember".

Mayor Hahn at the Glen Rock train station where he waited for residents to return from lower Manhattan on 9/11 .. Nikon D300s with Nikkor 18-200mm lens, ISO 200, f/22, 1/20s.

More photos on FaceBook or Proof Positive Photography website.

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