An unofficial memorial for those who died on Sept. 11th hangs in Union Square Station, one of the busiest subway stations in Manhattan. It has become a place to pray and a place to remember what was and those who were. 

Memorial Visitor: "I took the day off from work...and I just had to come here. Just to let them know I love them."

One young man recognized a very special name on the victim list: "Dolores Marie Costa...that's my grandmother." 

One woman, while fighting back tears, said: "This brings back the sadness of the whole thing...to think someone could do that to us."

The memorial, installed on six month anniversary of the WTC attacks by a non-profit group called ArtAID, formed by Keith Piaseczny in response to September 11th.

"Their bodies were never recovered...and for me to see their names... it's a tangible reality. You don't have a body, but you have a name and you have a memorial that honors them."

The monument is a few feet away from a New York Transit Office. Two officers from that office where lost in the attacks. It is located on the southeast corner inside Union Square Station, where the subway lines N, R, 4, 5, and 6 meet. 

The three walls contain 2,840 names and are 60 victims deep. The memorial provides people a convenient opportunity to find a loved one and write them a note. 

Though most praised the memorial, some saw its limitations. 

Memorial Visitor: "...but for all those victims, it just doesn't seem big enough." 

But most people just needed enough room to write a message of love. This memorial gives them a chance to remember heroism and reflect on the people they lost. 

One woman who had highlighted and drawn hearts around a man's name on the list said he was a hero that day. 

Memorial Visitor: "He was helping an elderly woman down the stairs, so we know he died a hero." 
 

Last Updated: Mar 30, 2002