World Trade Center cross
The World Trade Center cross, also known as the Ground Zero cross, is a group of steel beams found amidst the debris of the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 attacks which closely resembles the proportions of a Christian cross.
Background
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The World Trade Center was built using prefabricated parts which were bolted or welded together at the site.[1] This process dramatically reduced construction time and costs. The design of WTC 4, 5, and 6 used a column-tree system, where a 4-foot stub was welded on each side of a column, then a smaller floor beam was bolted to the end of the stub.[2] When debris from the collapse of the North Tower fell onto WTC 6, the floor beams sheared off at this bolted connection, causing a multi-story crater in the middle of WTC 6 and leaving some column trees standing. One of these prefab column-and-stub sets forms the cross.
Discovery
Following the attacks, a massive operation was launched to clear the site and attempt to find any survivors amongst the rubble. On September 13 one of the workers at the site, claimed by Frank Silecchia to be himself,[3] discovered a 20-foot cross of two steel beams amongst the debris of 6 World Trade Center.[4] Those with access to the site used the cross as a shrine of sorts, leaving messages on it or praying before it.[5]
After a few weeks within the cleanup site the cross was moved on October 4 [6] to a more publicly accessible site on top of a pile of rubble, a former walkway. The cross remained on the eastern border of the World Trade Center site into 2003[5] and was given to a New York chapter of the Knights of Columbus in 2004.[7]
Cultural response
Some saw the crossed metal as a Christian cross and felt its survival was symbolic. It was spoken over by a reverend who declared it to be a "symbol of hope... [a] symbol of faith... [a] symbol of healing". The cross even inspired laborers on "The Pile" to get tattoos.[8] A replica has been installed at the gravesite of Father Mychal Judge, a New York Fire Department chaplain who was killed by a falling body on September 11.[9] The nearby St. Paul's Chapel, which survived the destruction and was a refuge for survivors and site laborers, sells various replicas of the cross including lapel pins and rosaries.[10]
Memorial
The potential use of the cross in the World Trade Center Memorial has been controversial. Many groups want the cross to be included, while other organizations, notably American Atheists, disagree. They feel that since the memorial is to be financed with public funds, it is inappropriate for the memorial to include a sectarian religious symbol. They feel that the inclusion of a specifically Christian symbol would be an insult to the victims, rescue workers, and others connected to the September 11th attacks who follow a non-Christian religion or are not religious.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Leslie E. Robertson Associates - Historical project page from engineering firm that designed the center. Accessed April 5, 2006.
- ^ FEMA report, Chapter 4: WTC 4, 5 and 6 (PDF). Accessed April 5, 2006.
- ^ Info on Frank Silecchia for Bible Network News by Sue Careless on September 11, 2002. Retrieved April 3, 2006.
- ^ Internet Mirror of a NY Post story for the NY Post on September 23, 2001. Retrieved April 3, 2006.
- ^ a b c WTC Cross on Snopes by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson updated September 11, 2003. Retrieved April 3, 2006.
- ^ Mysteries for September 11 News, copyright 2001-2003. Retrieved April 3, 2006.
- ^ K of C to Dedicate WTC Cross to 9/11 victims for the Rockawave on September 10, 2004. Retrieved April 3, 2006.
- ^ Tattoo unites WTC's laborers; cross a reminder "of all that hell" From the Laborers Network. Retrieved April 5, 2006
- ^ 9/11 victims remembered at Graymoor from Irish Echo, at Mychal Judge memorial site. Accessed April 5, 2006.
- ^ St. Paul's Chapel website