Leica M9
I copied this text from Wikipedia:
The names of 2,983 victims are inscribed on 76 bronze plates attached to the parapet walls that form the edges of the Memorial pools. This includes the names of 2,977 victims who were killed in the 9/11 attacks in New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, as well as the names of six victims who were killed in the February 1993 bombing. The names are arranged according to a process and algorithm which was used to created "meaningful adjacencies," based on "relationship" details which include proximity at the time of the attacks, company or organization affiliations for those who worked at the World Trade Center or Pentagon, and approximately 1,200 requests from family members.
What the text doesn't say is that names are "cut out" i.e. probably cut through the metal with a laser. This adds another dimension. Literally, the names were "removed" from the metal, and now they are there forever.
It would be very chilling to be standing there looking at the name of a friend or loved one. I didn't personally know anyone who died in the attacks. But I began looking at the names and sought one that "spoke to me." I settled on Ming-hao Liu. I just kind of stared at his name, took in the site and feelings, and tried to imagine his life up to that point. I felt that he was Chinese, and probably working on some kind of assignment in the building. Probably a dream to be in NYC, I'm sure he was very proud coming to work that day.
So for this blog post I decided I would try to track him down, and here is what I found out.
He was a native Taiwanese, a teacher. Very well liked, with a special affinity for children and his homeplace, Livingston, NJ. Mr. Liu was working as an engineer Washington International Group and was working in the 91st floor of tower 2 when the plane struck. He is survived by his wife, his parents, four sisters, a brother, two sons, Allen, and 14 nieces and nephews.
Click on the continue link for one more detail on these name panels...
I include this image to show how the flights and buildings are represented. Unlike the cut-out names, these "stand up" from the metal. The font is called "Gotham." It's subtle, rich, and beautiful.
