Workers at the World Trade Center disaster site look
up at a large illuminated cross near the
rubble of the collapsed buildings in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2001...
Posted on 10/05/2001 9:17:43 AM PDT by Teacup
Workers at the World Trade Center disaster site look
up at a large illuminated cross near the
rubble of the collapsed buildings in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2001...
Apparently of steel beams was found by a laborer amid the World Trade Center debris two days after the twin tower collapsed. The fire fighter have been very inspiried by this.
Cross Brings Spiritual Lift To Workers
By Mae M. Cheng
STAFF WRITER
October 5, 2001Bill Graham, a firefighter with Ladder 169 in Brooklyn, is not sure what to make of the two cast iron beams that form the shape of a cross found at Ground Zero.
"I have a long way to go to heal," said Graham, who yesterday witnessed the blessing of the iron beams, a ceremony that officially made them a crucifix. "We lost many of our brothers."
While Graham could not find his own personal solace in the cross, he hoped others would. "It reinforces their faith in God that God's here for them," Graham said.
The cross, about 15 feet tall, was found in the shell of 6 World Trade Center. According to the Rev. Brian Jordan, a Franciscan priest who blessed the cross, the girders were part of debris from one of the collapsed towers that crashed through the roof of 6 World Trade Center and stood upright in a sea of rubble. Insulation from the building hangs on one arm of the cross.
"We've been suffering for three weeks now," Jordan said. "We want healing...not only for the city of New York but for America."
The cross was removed Wednesday night from 6 World Trade Center by ironworkers. It was hoisted atop a concrete slab, a remnant from a collapsed walk bridge between the World Trade Center complex and the World Financial Center. Overnight, rescuers wrote messages on the cross for those who died or have been working at Ground Zero.
"God bless our fallen brothers," someone wrote.
During yesterday's ceremony, work at Ground Zero came to a halt as rescuers joined hands, prayed and sang "God Bless America" before going into a chant of "U.S.A., U.S.A."
The cross will remain on the concrete slab on West Street for the next few months until a permanent home for it as an outdoor memorial is found, Jordan said.
"It's very difficult to work down here," said Sgt. Brian Wall, a police officer with Emergency Service Unit 3. "I hope it's [the cross] going to lift their spirits," he said of the rescuers.
They will take it until the job is done, with a little help and prayers of a grateful nation.
" I will be with you always ,even until the end of time"
A sign or wonder is a normal occurrence viewed through the eyes of faith.
This is a sign.
No flames here.
Bravo!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent Idea !! !!
To a man, each and every fireman working in the rubble would tell you they would not want it any other way. As difficult as it is, these men are their brothers.
This cross in the ruins of the World Trade Center is just such a sign -- a remnant of a heinous crime, but it is nonetheless a sign from God, even if in your distress and anger you must reject it as such.
We will never know for sure whether or not this impressive cross standing tall amid the rubble was specifically left by God as a sign, but what we do know is that it serves as a sign of hope for these incredibly brave rescue workers, and a reminder to all of us of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins.
It is through His death, and Resurrection that all evil on earth will some day be vanquished. Satan has already lost this war! Praise God!
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