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Eleven Years Later, the 9/11 Museum Is Still Closed — We Explore Why and Take a Tour

Sep. 11, 2012 7:49am Robyn Walensky

Editor’s note: In an exclusive piece for TheBlaze Magazine titled “History Lessons on Hold,” Robyn Walensky detailed the disappointment Americans rightfully feel about the still-not-opened 9/11 Museum.

Every issue of TheBlaze Magazine is full of reporting, investigation and commentary you won’t find for free online because we reserve it for subscribers to the print edition and/or digital version of the magazine. But considering this week is the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we thought non-subscribers would appreciate Robyn’s examination of the still-closed Sept. 11 Museum, including her tour of the site and analysis of the history lessons we’re missing out on.

While we included an excerpt from this article earlier this month, we have decided to reprint the entire article below in honor of the 11th anniversary of the attacks.

Enjoy.

—————————–

It’s all buried beneath the ground. And it really bothers me. Eleven years since the morning radical Islamic terrorists took down the Twin Towers, killing thousands of innocent Americans and shattering our sense of security, 9/11 artifacts are still not available for anyone to see.

“It’s all about the Benjamins, it’s all about the Benjamins,” a Port Authority Police officer tells me on a recent trip to Ground Zero. He shakes his head in absolute disgust and asks me rhetorically “Can you believe it’s not open because they claim they don’t have enough money? My friends were killed here.”

More than a decade later, the National September 11 Memorial Museum is still a work in progress.

A year ago, ahead of the 10-year anniversary of the attacks, I was invited to participate in a panel discussion at the 9/11 Memorial Visitor Center to reflect on the horrific events of that day and to discuss my charity book “Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalists Report September 11.”

AN EXCLUSIVE TOUR OF THE TOMB OF THOUSANDS

It’s a few hours before the event, I am offered a tour of what someday will be the 9/11 Museum. Walking around the massive 16-acre construction site, I wear the required hard hat, goggles, long-sleeved shirt, pants, work boots and a bright yellow vest. I am escorted past the WTC footprint reflecting pools where the granite is still covered with white cardboard so as to not reveal the names until the 10-year anniversary ceremony.

On this day, the waterfalls are being tested for the very first time. I am thinking about all the people who jumped to their deaths here. The thunderous sound of the fountains interrupts the horrendous tapes being played back in my mind of people jumping from the 110-story buildings. I remember looking up 1,000 feet in the air, thinking at first it was furniture going out the windows with all the white paper that looked like confetti. My brain couldn’t process in those first few seconds that it was actually people jumping from the fire to their deaths. Ten years later I look up and see nothing but the blue sky. No soaring twin buildings; the structures destroyed, plucked from the skyline forever.

TheBlaze Magazine Exclusive: Why Is the 9/11 Museum Still Closed 11 Years After the Attack?

The World Trade Center cross was pulled from the rubble of the 9/11 attacks. The cross is part of the planned 9/11 Museum. (AP)

The guide escorts me from street level down 70 feet below ground. There is a maze of unstable steps and muddy ramps covered in grey puddles of concrete and dirty water, I keep thinking, “I am walking down into a dark tomb. … Why in the world is this museum being built all the way down here? … This literally feels like being inside a grave.”

The first thing I notice is the exposed slurry wall that keeps the Hudson River out of lower Manhattan. Then I see the WTC cross—the 20-foot steel beams retrieved from the fiery pile of debris. It’s preserved here, way beneath the city. It ought to be in Central Park serving two purposes; a daily reminder of the true evil that attacked us and a daily reminder of God.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 1993 ATTACK

My guide escorts me to the exact spot where terrorists set off the bomb on Feb. 26,1993 — the first terror attack on the World Trade Center. The tapes in my mind start playing again, and this time I can see the people, scared, covered in soot, and stumbling out in all directions. I was there that horrible February day and night as school kids on a tour were stuck in an elevator on a high floor, and I reported on the attack for months after.

I was in the first pool of reporters allowed back into Tower 1 a week after the bombing. Black soot covered the carpets, and half-filled coffee cups sat exactly where they were left on desks next to open newspapers, a sign of how workers left in a huge hurry. The offices were frozen in time.

The country did not learn its lesson in 1993. President Bill Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno classified the bombing as a “crime” not a “terrorist act.” Bill Clinton never came to visit. He never stood on the soot caused by the terrorist bomb. He never promised to go after the people who did this.

So Osama bin Laden laughed in his cave and continued to patiently plot while we sat still as a nation distracted by sex scandals, politics and other nonsense. I covered the federal trial in lower Manhattan of Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman and Ramzi Yousef. The prosecutor said it was the goal of these two terrorists to “topple the towers.” It never stopped being the goal.

Now, 19 years later, we have a young generation that knows little about 9/11 and even less about the 1993 attack in which six people were killed and hundreds were hurt.

REMEMBRANCES DELAYED AND BURIED

Ironically, right near the marking of the 1993 bombing down in the still-unfinished museum is the last remaining pulverized staircase—the “Survivors’ Stairs”—used by panicked people running from the flames on 9/11 to the smoke-filled streets. Also buried beneath the city in this tomb-like museum sits the remnants of a red New York City fire truck to honor the 343 firefighters who used those same stairs to walk up dozens of flights with pounds of heavy gear but never made it out.

There are walls featuring the faces of the innocent. People who went to work that morning at what was considered the most prestigious office building in the United States. I remember friends from high school and college always so proud to show a business card that read “1 World Trade Center” or “2 World Trade Center” and the floor number. It wasn’t just a building, it was an iconic symbol of America’s might, power and economic success, and that’s why the terrorists were relentless in their goal of toppling it.

The museum will also honor the memory of those killed at the Pentagon and in the field in Shanksville, Pa.—sites that actually have fitting memorials, both of which I’ve had the honor to visit and report on. Yet the long-overdue underground museum in New York City remains closed.

So, what’s the hold up? A spokeswoman for the 9/11 Museum director can’t really give me a solid reason: “The museum will not be opening this September, and we are currently working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who is the construction manager for the project, to determine the opening date for the museum.

“Donations are going very well, in large part due to the generosity of many Memorial visitors who hail from all 50 states and 150 different countries. We’re pleased to have welcomed more than 3.7 million visitors since opening to the public on Sept. 12, 2011.

“Thanks for checking in about the project and for your continued interest and support.”

POWERFUL MEMORIES AND IMPORTANT LESSONS DESERVE BETTER

As the museum tour ends, I am emotionally spent as I make my way past the construction workers back to the ramps. When I get back up to street level, the dust blows in my face, and I literally feel the remains of the innocent people who were pulverized here, their bodies never found. I sense their spirit in the air, and I break down and burst into tears.

When I speak about 9/11 I always mention the 1993 bombing in the same sentence. I maintain there would be no 9/11 had we learned the lesson and understood the terrorist message from that dark snowy day 19 years ago.

I pray this museum opens someday soon so people from all over the world can come here to pay their respects to innocent Americans and learn an invaluable double history lesson.

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Comments (42)

I SPY
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 6:58pm
And in the meantime, a bunch of criminals in Haiti get tens of millions in donations for an earthquake, and surprisingly the money disappears. But the idiots in Hollyweird nor the liberal media don’t mention it.
The real America is getting smaller everyday.

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fergiedurgish
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 3:32pm
Hiding this museum is hiding what these Muslims did to Americans! I guess if they continue to delay the opening, it will soon be cemented up and all will be forgotten because we don’t want to profile or hurt any Muslim feelings. After all, we deserved what we got for being such a huge colonialist powerhouse of subjugation and conquest . . . don’t believe me? Just ask Obama, the King of Anticolonialism . . . he’ll tell you THE LIE the socialists continue to propagate – America is BAD and needs to be punished . . . just wish people would have listened in 2008 and maybe we would have that museum as a testament to the LIVES of those people, in an open airy ALIVE museum, not one that is a horrible dank testament of their deaths . . . only the democrats worship the god of Death and Destruction . . . look at who they voted for when they voted NO to God three times at their own convention of death.

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Nagesh
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 12:42pm
It should never be forgotten that the root cause, the ultimate cause, of 9/11 was Islam—-no Islam, no 9/11.

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- Reload
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 4:54pm
  no more callers. we have a winner.
  
  Report this comment
CulperGang
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 12:34pm
Does this look like this was hit by a commercial airliner?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/september-11-attacks/8722638/21-awful-truths-about-911.html

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- Chris Field
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 3:01pm
  Considering I was at the Capitol on 9/11, working for the U.S. Senate, and the fact that I drove by the Pentagon every day for 12 years — yes, that looks like it was hit by a plane.
  
  My co-workers were on 395 (the road next to the Pentagon) when the plane struck the building.
  
  Report this comment
Tex-Nmex
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 12:14pm
Our Nation was attacked on 9-11 and we came together, cried and prayed….then went back to watch TV and look for our entertainment. Yes, our nation went back to Reality TV, American Idol and listening to talk show hosts tell us how we should be ashamed to be Americans living in a world of plenty while others suffer. We have a school system fueled by ideas that we are all neutral without feelings….one in the same. We are walking among terrorists that cheered the attacks….and we did nothing except elect a man that clearly hates our country. A completion of the museum would symbolize the real terrorist attack and this nation is not ready for that.

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- mike551
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:13pm
  Bravo
  
  Report this comment
woodyee
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 11:07am
I was there recently. Let me describe it to you from my perspective:

The towers are incomplete and will never have 110 operating floors like the Twin Towers did. As it stands, the viewing platform will be on the 104th floor. So Al-Qaeda wins.

The footprints of the Twin Towers are now two permanent holes in the ground lined with dark marble with a never-ending waterfall pouring in from all sides into an infinity hole in the center of each footprint. The ledge surrounding each square hole is etched in the names of victims; not a testament to our strength and ability to move forward, but a testament to the effectiveness of Al-Qaeda’s attack – it’s not unlike going to a grave.

The area is surrounded with incomplete construction, including the “tower” – a living tribute to consensus planning and ineffective leadership.

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- tankyjo
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 12:00pm
  I can’t add to that!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
ktmrider1
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 11:03am
they spent all their money building the mosqe down the street

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True American66
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:11am
After reading this article from a woman so dedicated to reporting the truth of these horrific acts of hate and violence, I weep for my country. I believe that Robyn Walensky deserves our deepest respect for never forgetting the original red flag that should have prevented the worst act of cowardice and destruction in our nation’s history. Thank you Ms. Walensky for your enduring patriotism and straightforward, American journalistic integrity.

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ctease
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:03am
I would have to say that most of the blame for the power the progressives have is our churches that were too afraid of losing their tax exempt status than take on Madalyn O’Hare. We have let them take over everything including the upbringing of our children. We wonder why our kids are so disconnected from us, it is because we were too busy in our own lives to see what was happenning to our kids. We have about lost one generation, if we don’t awaken and restore this nation, it will only be a memory.

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ERP
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:45am
On a side note I want to offer this rant:

Has anyone here seen the docudrama “The Path To 9/11″?

Why is it to this day that ABC/Disney has refused to release the film on DVD? I would venture to say a lot of people would like to see this in DVD in the fully unedited version and not the broadcast version.

@ABC/Disney: Why do you coward to the Clinton name?

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pookieamos
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:20am
God Bless the United States of America and may God forgive for our sins and may he protect us from the evil permeating from the White House.

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- watersRpeople
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:54am
  You have to forgive yourself first, which will help you to go and sin no more. But the thing about an American is most of the time they say: I’ve already sinned 20 times this year, what’s one more? You don’t know what it means to mark your door with Christ. It means you resist letting anything else solve an issue except liberty.
  
  Report this comment
marybethelizabeth
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:11am
Does the article quote Mr. Beck saying he hated the 911 victims families, bragging that he was the only talk show host brave enough to say so?

Mr. Beck is not a good person.

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- ERP
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:40am
  @ marybethelizabeth:
  
  You never bring anything constructive, logical, substantial or intriguing to ANY story you have commented on in the history of The Blaze. The one thing you do very well at is bringing the hate.
  
  Do us all a favor and stay away! STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:08am
  ERP Mr. Beck said he hated the 911 victims families for complaining.
  
  Here Mr. Beck is complaining.
  
  Mr. Beck said he hated the victims families. The hate is coming from him, not me.
  
  Report this comment
- woodyee
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:59am
  His point was – “You never bring anything constructive, logical, substantial or intriguing to ANY story you have commented on in the history of The Blaze. The one thing you do very well at is bringing the hate.”
  
  I have to agree that you rarely do, not that you’re incapable of…Beck is not the enemy.
  
  Report this comment
- ERP
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 11:25am
  @marybethelizabeth
  
  Did I not just state earlier for you to stay the F away?
  
  The majority of readers on here don’t give a crap what you have to say or your delusional hatred towards Glenn Edward Beck.
  
  This is a day of remembrance.
  
  It’s not a day for hate.
  
  Now go away you freak.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 11:55am
  Qoute “You know, it took me about a year to start hating the 911 victims; families. It took me about a year.”
  
  My remembrance.
  
  Report this comment
- tankyjo
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 12:04pm
  Other brain cell on break today, Mary? Oh, they’ve unionized? Hope they both go on strike.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 12:31pm
  There are not enough brain cells in the world to explain your tacit approval of Mr. Beck’s hatred.
  
  Did you hear the end of Mr Beck’s radio show yesterday where he said he lied to some lady that accosted him on the street? He said he wanted to say something else to her but instead he said “I Love You.” The same as a sarcastic “Have A Nice Day”
  
  He can’t engage his critics. He can’t defend his point of view.
  
  He makes a living calling people names and making up ridiculous lies.
  
  He asked the question Who IS The Hater.
  
  My Answer. The person who lies. That would be Mr. Beck.
  
  Report this comment
- Appleton
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 12:35pm
  Hmmmm! I didn’t see that. Would you mind verifying your info?
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 1:31pm
  It will probably make the best of glenn beck radio show so tune in this weekend.
  
  He said it a while after he explained that the American Airlines investigation into Mr. Beck’s allegations of mistreatment concluded they had no merit.
  
  He then suggested that the airline should have lied to him and said they were handling the matter appropriately so he wound feel better: (that he got away with something).
  
  He just can’t stop himself.
  
  Report this comment
- LookTowardsTheLight
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 2:02pm
  @marybethelizabeth
  
  Funny, you can’t seem to help yourself either….making a fool out of yourself that is.
  
  If my calendar is correct, today is labeled as “Patriots Day” but I have a feeling your calender reads “Let’s Twist The Words Of Glenn Beck Day.”
  
  Report this comment
hersey10
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:01am
The Empire State Building was built in 11 months . Yes, 11 months .

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watersRpeople
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:51am
While tragic in scope, they were still women and men who were just going to work that regular day. However people are still trying to turn them into some kind of heroes or maybe even gods. Even the soldiers who thought they would surely die who stormed Omaha Beach get less treatment. Apparently to be a hero one just has to be alive. We Americans are surely Socialists even trying to spread around the wealth of a hero’s perception, and is another example of why I say Americans only want to be Socialists when it feels good, or doesn’t threaten the wealth of the rich, while the rich spread around only the pain in a Socialist manner such as with bankruptcy.

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PatriotGail
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:49am
Beautiful piece, Robyn. So true that we did not learn the lessons of the ’93 bombings. And so sad that the unfinished state of this museum is proof that we have not learned the lessons of 9/11/01. America is better than this. Let’s stand together and demand justice and proper remembrance!

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scott4freedom
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:48am
Today, 11 years ago ,our America was changed forever, not by an election, not by a natural disaster, but by a terrorist attack on our citizens and thePentagon. They used commercial aircraft as bombs, and many Americans lost thier lives. I will NEVER forget, I will NEVER back down against this evil. Today America is failing and faultering because of inside terrorist attacks from our own weak political machine and the men that lead it. Making us weak and vunerable to another attack or worse. Please think about the America you want to live in. Vote this November, Vote our country back on the road to strength and recovery. Our Nation is great because WE THE PEOPLE built it, sacraficed for it and died for it. Keep America free from the TYRANNY of a government that would have us bow to another nation or become just another socialist state. We are Americans, and with a renewed resolve and courage we can return this nation to its Greatness. Look to God first for individual resolve then stand united to take back America from the cancer from within.
This Americans view….Scott Smith, I am proud to be an American!!!!

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- Merry52277
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:08am
  Mr Smith, that was beautifully said and I agree wholeheartedly. God bless the United States of America. I pray for the spirit of the Lord to come upon every American and remind each and everyone of us where we come from and to whom we owe thanks and praise.
  
  Report this comment
Silversmith
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:42am
Over regulation? Maybe. But I suspect Islam is very proud of the act itself, and wants to make the most of it. CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood – I’m sure they are not bothered by the delay at all…..

Silversmith

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blanco5
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:39am
They are too busy rewriting history and the facts of what happened just don’t fit the agenda, so I will be surprised if it’s ever going to be finished.

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marthasusan40
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:37am
Where is the justice ? Instead of honoring those who died and those who died trying to save there fellow Americans..we allow this delay….we are America………..this is not our best, not even close.

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HappyHaloHousewife
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:37am
How soon we forget.

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arizonasnow7
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:33am
Thank you Robyn. I always enjoy your reporting on the radio program and appreciated this article. Your bio places you in Louisiana and Texas, but do I understand correctly that you were at Ground Zero on 9/11? And in 1993? Also, where can I find a description of what it looks like underground where you toured?

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msswim.com
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:33am
Robyn, being that the original WTC was completed in 2 years, the museum and new construction on the WTC site is probably partly being held up by unions.

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Searfoss70
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:32am
This is prime example of the sad state of our beloved country. Over regulation. Thank you Robyn, great article. Keep on them!

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BlazeMom
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:30am
My prayer is that this story would be the high traffic hit for the day. Laus Deo

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TheMajority
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:21am
There is only evil reason why some evil will deny that any holocaust has happened—all due to collectivism.

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