Memorial Site in Las Vegas

[mharvison]

I was in Las Vegas for business last week and went to the memorial site that has grown at the base of the "Statue of Liberty" at New York-New York Hotel and Casino. I didn't know it was there and happened to come upon it as I was going from one casino to another. I was stunned at what I saw there. T-shirts, pictures, flowers, etc. have been left there from firefighters, police officers, and ordinary citizens from around the world. I walked by it twice to read the messages and couldn't help but cry the entire time. I was a little embarrased at first until I noticed others in tears as well. I had a camera with me but it didn't feel appropriate to take pictures. I did leave my U.S. flag pin on one of the t-shirts. I haven't been able to stop thinking about what I saw there. The outpouring of grief and condolences for what happened on September 11th is enormous. I wish I had been able to travel to NYC to pay my respects for the fallen, but in some little way, seeing this shrine has eased this need some. For those of you travelling to Las Vegas, I urge you to walk around New York-New York and stand at the base of the "Statue of Liberty". You will never forget it.

God bless all of you.

A Proud American
Mark Harvison