New York....New YorkSep 10, 2011
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Security
Lady Liberty
United Nations
From our comfortable anchorage in Manhasset Bay we soon found ourselves engrossed in tide tables and security info that would dictate our passage down the east river and into lower Manhattan....on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers. These days were etched in our history for very personal reasons. Back then, on the tenth of the month Bill had been at a board meeting on the 39th floor of the Lorral headquarters building facing lower Manhattan, where the towers were majestic in the morning sun. That evening he joined Jean in DC where they were looking for a new home. The next morning Bill drove past the Pentagon on the way to the Loral offices in Chrystal City. As the morning evolved, Jean joined daughter Wende atop her Kallorama apartment house to see the Pentagon hit by the third aircraft. So imagine our pride as the USS New York sailed by to assume her role as a backdrop for the dedication ceremonies.Chapter III sported a really big US flag and Union Jack for the occasion. But even getting into the Liberty Landing marina was difficult with all the security boats, police and dogs at every turn. Mary was held up in the car for hours, before she could join us on the boat.
On Saturday we toured the Jersey side and the newly dedicated monument near the old ferry building. Dinner was barbecue pizza as the lights came on across the Hudson and the twin light beams shot skyward. On Sunday the three Wrights caught the ferry across to the financial district and worked their way thru the security barricades to the subway Uptown. We found tickets for the "Billy Elliot" matinee and settled in for a lunch at the Marriott to wait for the start. The musical was terrific and just the tonic for the day of sadness and reflection that had been going on downtown at the twin tower site. As we returned to the boat New York city appeared to be settling into a normal Sunday evening; preparing for another frenetic work week. On Monday morning we took a tour around Lady Liberty and Ellis Island in the boat before saying good bye to sisters Mary and Lutie and heading out of New York Harbor.
