Memorial carnations in West Village
Aimee Kristi, 50, and her son Zac Crawford, 16, brought carnations to lay in the fountain at Washington Square Park in Manhattan's West Village to commemorate 9/11. (Sept. 11, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Ted Phillips
At Washington Square Park in the West Village, radio host Aimee Kristi, 50, and her son, Zac Crawford, 16, placed carnations in the fountain at the moments when the first and second planes hit the World Trade Center.
Kristi said they wanted to do more than simply watch the ceremony on TV.
"We just thought this would be a way to show our respect and love for the city," said Kristi, who lives with her son in the East Village. "I hope this gives him a sense of respect and sacrifice."
Zac, a sophomore at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, was in kindergarten in Long Branch, N.J., at the time of the terrorist attack 10 years ago.
"I was growing up at the time and I didn't understand what happened," Crawford said. "Now I understand."
Crawford looked south toward where the Twin Towers once dominated the skyline of Lower Manhattan, and where now 1 World Trade Center is rising.
"Looking at the Freedom Tower, it's kind of a symbol of rebirth for the city and the nation," he said.
