“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” — Isaiah 61:3
NEW YORK—In the middle of the 9/11 Memorial plaza stands a Callery pear tree that survived the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The plaza features two nearly one-acre sized reflecting pools situated in the footprints of the original World Trade Center’s 110-story Twin Towers. The plaza opened on Sept. 11, 2011, and occupies about half of the 16 acre site. The bronze panels framing the pools are inscribed with the names of 2,977 victims of 9/11 and the six people killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Approximately 400 Swamp White Oak trees fill the Memorial plaza around the pools. These trees are native to the areas of all three 9/11 crash sites: New York City; Arlington, Va.; and Somerset County, Pa. In October 2001, recovery workers discovered the severely damaged tree at Ground Zero. Members of the New York City Parks and Recreation Department removed it from the site and nursed it back to health. Having survived the events of 9/11, the tree became known as the “Survivor Tree.” It was returned to the World Trade Center site in 2010 and now stands on the plaza as a symbol of resilience and perseverance.
It is eerily similar to downtown Oklahoma City’s own “Survivor Tree,” an American Elm which survived the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995.
Both of these trees symbolize the innate ability of people to survive the worst that humanity can throw at them and thrive in the midst of shattered lives dusted by the ashes of fire fueled by hate. They have been symbolically “watered” by the tears of those who lost family members in Oklahoma City, New York City, Arlington and Shanksville, Pa.
Attending the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this year was a bittersweet experience. Having volunteered as a chaplain in the immediate aftermath of 9/11—and several times afterward in various roles—the anniversary trip brought back memories of the awful sights, sounds and smells of Ground Zero. As the fires continued to rage and smoke continued to rise in 2001, I stood amid the destruction and thanked the Lord for those courageous first responders who gave the last full measure of devotion to their fellow human beings.
A quarter-century later, I was humbled again by the solemnity of the occasion, which was highlighted by the mournful strains of bagpipers playing “Amazing Grace.”
The glorious sight of the 9/11 Survivor Tree flourishing amid what was once a desolate landscape brought a balm to my heart. As reverence reigned for the most part on the memorial plaza as the names of the victims were read aloud by family members, God reminded me that “the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” comes from Him alone.
The “Survivor Trees” are evidence that life goes on. That light will drive away the darkness of fear and rage left behind. New York and Oklahoma City are sister cities in that their citizens have prospered in spite of the evildoers who planned their destruction. Evil will not triumph; God’s grace prevails!
All glory be to Him whose tears water the desert of our souls!
Editor’s Note: The Baptist Messenger published a series of articles and podcasts around the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
