Dedicated on the third anniversary of the attack in 2004, the Staten Island September 11 Memorial stands as a testament to remembrance. This Memorial Park is also known as Postcards. It is a poignant reminder of the lives lost on that tragic day. Here at Memorial Park, we honor the 275 Staten Islanders who perished on September 11, 2001.
The Memorial Park is located along Staten Island’s North Shore Waterfront Esplanade. Here, the Staten Island September 11 Memorial resembles a pair of wings reaching skyward. Architect Masayuki Sono created this space. It is a place for reflection and remembrance. Sono won a design competition in early 2003. His vision has given solace to many.
Sono’s design features two fiberglass structures. They resemble postcards. These postcards symbolize messages sent to lost loved ones. Each victim is honored with a profile silhouette. The silhouettes are on granite plaques. These plaques list their name, birth date, and place of work.
This was the first major 9/11 memorial completed in New York City. It frames the location across the water. The location is where the Twin Towers once stood. The walls are set to view the axis. This axis once connected Staten Island and the Twin Towers. They open towards the water and sky. This creates a space of privacy and liberation.
In 2017, the First Responders Memorial was unveiled. It features the names of Staten Islanders. They died as a result of 9/11-related illnesses. Sono also designed this memorial.
The concept originates in a desire. It connects all the victims back with us. It is conceived as part of a continuous “Ring”. The Ring floats in front of the existing Staten Island 9/11 Memorial. It overlooks the WTC site. It symbolizes personal connections. It shows connections between loved ones. It can be seen as two large arms. The arms hold up the City from below. The First Responders represent the “Foundation” of the WTC site. They represent New York’s future prosperity.
James Molinaro was the former Borough President of Staten Island. He noted that many families never received remains. This memorial serves as their cemetery.
Standing between the walls can be powerful. Some experience a sense of oneness. They feel connected to those lost. They are represented in silhouettes. All look together toward the site of the missing towers.
Friends of Postcards is a group of concerned citizens. They have lost loved ones in 9/11. They have also lost loved ones due to 9/11 related illnesses. They are local residents and volunteers. They are dedicated to improving the memorial in St. George, Staten Island. They work to clean and maintain the area. They beautify the surroundings.
The Staten Island September 11 Memorial is more than a structure. It is a sacred space. It is a place for healing. It is a place for remembrance. It reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit. It shows the enduring power of love.