Inwood Memorial Still Growing 10 Years After 9/11 Attacks
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As the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks approaches, members of one northern Manhattan community say the creation of a local memorial is helping to keep victims' memories alive. NY1's Nicole Ward filed the following report.Outside Good Shepherd Church in Inwood, a small garden grows. Passersby might walk right by it unless they know it’s there and how important it is to people in the community.
“Lot’s of people stop by. A lot of people walk through along the paths," said garden volunteer Tom Dixon.
The garden features a cross made from World Trade Center steel. Dixon says he’s there a couple times a week, making sure the flowers are watered and the grass is cut. He does it to honor the memories of the 22 people with Inwood connections, who died on 9/11.
“I think about all the things that he’s missed in the last 10 years, watching his children grow up," said Inwood resident Joanne Sullivan, who lost her brother in the attacks.
Sullivan and others say they like having a place to go when they want to feel closer to those who died.
"Family members and friends will come just to pay their respects and spend a few quiet moments in prayer," said Father Arlen Harris of Good Shepherd Church.
Two more people from Inwood who died that day, whose families did not know the memorial existed, will soon be added.
The garden’s creation was largely the result of work done by Joseph Loperfido, who helped create the group “Fallen Friends of Inwood.”
“Oh family members are here all the time. I couldn’t tell you the exact number but a number of these youngsters, their remains were never found. So for us, and their families, this is their final resting place," Loperfido said.
Community members say the garden not only serve a purpose for survivors, but also sends a message to surrounding neighborhoods that Inwood will not forget.
"We have among them a firefighter, from the local engine Amelia Avenue. We have a young lady who also died who used to live on Post Avenue," said City Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez.
“These are good youngsters who went to work that day. Good hardworking, young Americans and tragedy of that day. Our families suffer for it," Loperfido said.
Good Shepherd Church is planning a special mass on September 11th.