The Empty Sky Memorial at Liberty State Park
The Empty Sky Memorial in Liberty State Plaza Park in Jersey City is a poignant tribute to the 749 people from New Jersey who lost their lives on 9/11. Designed by Jessica Jamroz and Frederic Schwartz, the Empty Sky Memorial was dedicated on September 11, 2011 to mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It consists of two 30-foot-tall stainless steel walls that are aligned to face the former location of the World Trade Center. As someone who was in NYC on 9/11, I have a catch in my throat when I walk through this memorial that is a somber reminder of the events that unfolded and lives that were lost on September 11, 2001.
The walls of the Empty Sky Memorial are inscribed with the names of all the New Jersey victims that lost their lives on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center. The memorial is a powerful reminder of the loss and sacrifice of the victims and their families, and provides a place for reflection and healing.
Empty Sky Memorial
The Empty Sky Memorial is a state memorial in New Jersey that honors the memory of the 749 people who lived in or had ties to New Jersey and lost their lives in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The memorial is located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, across the Hudson River from the World Trade Center site.
Designed by Jessica Jamroz and Frederic Schwartz, the memorial features two parallel stainless steel walls, each 30 feet high and 210 feet long, that represent the Twin Towers. The 210 feet length represents the width of each side of the World Trade Center Towers. The walls are engraved with 749 names of the victims from New Jersey. The walls are oriented to face the former World Trade Center site, and a walkway between the walls overlooks the site. The memorial’s name, “Empty Sky,” is taken from a Bruce Springsteen song and refers to the empty sky that remained after the Twin Towers collapsed. The Empty Sky Memorial was dedicated on September 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
The sense of loss is very profound as you walk through the memorial with the names of all 749 people from New Jersey that were lost on either side.
This is what it was like to walk through the Empty Sky Memorial –
And here are some remnants of the original WTC, gone but never forgotten –
The Empty Sky Memorial has had a significant impact as the official New Jersey September 11 memorial to serve as a powerful reminder of the tragedy that occurred on 9/11 and the lives lost. The significance of the memorial lies not only in its design and location, but also in the way it honors the memories of those who perished. The memorial’s name, “Empty Sky,” is taken from a Bruce Springsteen song and represents the unfulfilled dreams and hopes of those who died. The memorial’s location in Liberty State Park, which was once an immigration station and overlooks Ellis Island, also serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity and acceptance in society.
The impact of the Empty Sky Memorial extends beyond New Jersey and the United States. It serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. The memorial has become a destination for visitors from around the world, who come to pay their respects and reflect on the events of September 11, 2001.
