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Marvin Davis
Rock Center
The iron workers assembling the last few floors of One World Trade Center say that their work above New York City’s skyline is more than just a job.
“It’s a part of history. It’s a part of rebuilding you know, part of putting lives back together to show people that the spirit won’t be broken,” iron worker Marvin Davis told Harry Smith in an interview broadcast on NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams.
Davis is the general foreman at the World Trade Center site. He is part of the generations of Mohawk Indians who have built New York’s famous skyscrapers. Both Davis and his son are helping construct One World Trade Center, formerly called the Freedom Tower.
“It’s a fortress. It’s a better built building than I’ve been on ever,” Davis said. “With the concrete and the steel, you know, both of them together combined, you know, this thing is, I think is impenetrable.”
The original One World Trade Center was destroyed in the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001. In the 10 years since 2,753 people perished in attacks on the towers, a team of more than 200 iron workers clad in fluorescent vests and hard hats have nimbly built One World Trade Center. The building now soars more than 1,244 feet. The tower is a couple of weeks away from surpassing the height of the roof of the Empire State building.
“We’re right there,” said iron worker Kevin Murphy. “In the next couple of weeks, we’re there. That’s going to be another big, you know, special day. Pretty much from here on up, everything’s special, you know?”
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Murphy is one of several iron workers who lost someone they knew on Sept. 11, 2001. The completion of the building will mark an emotional moment for Murphy, the lieutenant superintendent of steel erection at One World Trade Center.
“Just to be part of something that’s going to be the tallest building in the nation and a monument to all the people that lost their lives down here. As an iron worker, you couldn’t ask for a better place to work,” Murphy said.
John Makely/MSNBC.com
NBC News
John Makely/MSNBC.com
As the workers ascend farther into the heavens each day, placing and setting beam after beam, scrawled on some of the beams are the names of those who perished on 9/11. The building, made of steel and glass, is also full of emotion.
See more images from 1 World Trade Center
“Way more emotion than we’re used to. We’re iron workers. We don’t show our emotions well, but around here, you can’t help it, you know. You see families come. You’re looking down at the memorial. You see everybody looking at the memorial. This is definitely a very emotional place,” Murphy said.
In a matter of months, the tower is expected to “top out.” That’s what it means when the last steel beam gets put in place. After the spire is added, One World Trade Center will be the tallest building in the United States at a symbolic 1,776 feet.
For Murphy, the construction of the World Trade Center towers is in his blood. His father helped build the first World Trade Center towers.
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Murphy came to Ground Zero to clean up in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks.
“[I] didn’t really talk about it with anybody when it first happened, because it was so intense, just to be down there and then to come home and have to answer the questions about it, but it was definitely surreal and the things we saw, nobody should really have to see,” Murphy said.
Murphy’s wife, Heather Murphy, said her husband’s chance to build One World Trade Center is helping him heal.
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Kevin Murphy
“Having been there right when it happened, I didn’t know if he would ever come out of that. He was so sad for so long, so the fact that now he’s in a place and bringing it back is so big, so huge. It’s kind of the best part about it. He gets to rebuild it. He doesn’t just have to have the memory of what it was,” said Heather Murphy through tears.
Murphy’s fellow iron worker, Eric Hunt, also helped sift through the smoldering debris 10 years ago.
“I was down here doing some burning one night and I was burning this big gusset plate open and I started on one end and worked my way to the other end and when the steel opened up, there was two ladies laying there holding hands,” said an emotional Hunt.
Hunt, a veteran iron worker who helped repair the World Trade Center after the 1993 bombing, said he’s thankful to be building One World Trade Center.
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Eric Hunt
“In the beginning, it was sad and every day, you had to overcome that, but as you get into it and you make it through your days and you spend a month, a year, whatever, it becomes a sense of necessity. You know, this had to be done,” Hunt said.
Hunt said that as they build higher and higher, the iron workers feel a “little bit of glory.”
“Every man here has put a sense of pride into this building and it’s just heavy duty, has armor. It’s modern day pyramids,” Hunt said.
John Makely/MSNBC.com
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Lots of different view points from many different people. That's what America is, the heart and sole of our own personal freedom. To all the nay sayers, if you don't like it here, and it's so bad, then leave. For myself I'm staying, and will try to make it better for all the people who love this country, and want to try and make it better.
The video said 'It's as if overnight this building has soared to the heavens'. Yeah right.
The one ironworker said this building is like a modern day pyramid. In my opinion no, the Twin Towers were modern day pyramids. This new building just looks like another modern office tower, very tall however.
You might feel different if you ever wore a tool belt. Criticize from your easy chair!
There is no meaning or closure here. This is mere sentimentalism and not very well done at that. If I was going to pull my pants back up after being spanked I'd make sure that the same culture that spanked me didn't build a significantly taller and more impressive building first. It is what it is.
What? Being spanked? What the hell are you talking about. 19 terrorist, who hate your guts, tried to destroy this country and yet you make some comparative spanking analogy! Your an idiot! HippyBiker, or right/left wing whack job, either love your country or leave it! Get your head out of conspiracy theories and wake up Jerk!
Relax. HippyBiker is just using a literary technique of metaphor.
I don't care that it is not the worlds biggest or tallest building or anything else. This building means the world to many of us, and I am not of your land. But on that fateful day we were joined forever in this tragedy. Does it matter it has taken years to build, I don't mind in the least. I had great faith in you, the people of America would build it when ready, with the dignity and the respect it deserves. We watched the towers, the planes and people jumping, from my land thousands of kilometres away, our hearts broke there was nothing we could do but watch. And for 10 years the moving anniversaries as they come and go on Sept 11th done with quiet dignity and so much compassion. Who could ask for anything more??? Do you think the people who perished their souls now long gone from this earth, would care about the passing of time? To be honest I can't think of a building anywhere on this earth that means so much, to so many, from so many different lands. We have stood beside you in many battles and no doubt we will in the future but on this building, you did it alone. We watched you knowing it was in very capable hands and thank you for that. In memory of my 10 fellow Australians who lost their lives Sept 11th, 2001.
Thank you for this...
Thank you for your kind words. I for one, have always wanted to visit Australia, the land down under, bless with beautiful oceans.
Finally someone understands.
You don't think "stature" has ANYTHING to do with the "HONOR" they deserve? Sorry some of us DO.
x1134x....Absolutely not "stature" has nothing to do with "HONOUR". What a weird way to look at it. So what are you going to do when the next country builds and even taller building....If many Amercians were more content and happy with what they have got you would not be in the mess you are in now. Instead you are to busy looking for the "biggest". As we say x1134x "get a life and get over it".
This Tower was built in spite of the failed Barrack Obama Administration
No, it was not...But it is a spiteful endeavor pointed at anyone who would challenge our right to get fatter, more under educated and watch "Dancing with the Stars". Also, there is this universal law of momentum and anything that has happened since the 8 year debacle of the Republican lead executive/legislative/judicial branches and their ineffective wars is theirs, NOT Obama-goat's.
The tower is being built with union labor! A wonderful thing!
Union workers? Is that why when I walked past yesterday, they were yelling "Up floors, up floors" at me?
I tried to keep poltics out of this. Their is no way the Obama administration is a failure by any stretch of the imagination. President Barrack Obama is an honorable and trust worthy president. I happen to think George W. Bush done the best he could but he failed miserably on explaining why we had to invade Iraq. Three trillion dollars pissed away in Iraq and I still don't know why we invaded that country. So no my friends please don't unfairly blame President Obama. President Obama keeps his promises or at least tries to. Good Day, Joe.
now get a rope and hang bush and Chaney from it since they were in on the original towers coming down
I don't think you got the memo: "Everything is Obama's fault!"
For all those "sensitive" types are apparently too calloused to understand why people are offended by the 9/11 mosque...look at this way:
1) Imagine a group of zealous right-wing Americans highjacked planes and crashed them into downtown Mecca.
2) Imagine then, during the re-building process, all of the Saudis INSISTING that it okay for a Christian Church to be built on the crash site.
3) Can you imagine that?
See, there are so many unspoken themes in liberalism but here are three golden threads of liberalism:
1) White men suck (racism & feminism)
2) Humanity sucks (violent environmentalism)
3) Christians suck (religious intolerance)
Oh, let's throw in a fourth for good measure:
4) Balanced bank accounts suck.
;-)
Have a nice day!
You're an idiot.
Nice. What do you think about my "Build a Church in Mecca" analogy? Better to just call me an idiot.
I was refering to your "..there are so many unspoken themes in liberalism.." comment.
how about, "you are not your race, nation, gender, species, political party, religion or body but you are your hate."
Also, we should not be surprised that Muslims would build/re-purpose a Mosque on or near another culture's sacred structures. It's their equivalent of a notch in the bedpost. Seriously, look it up, it is their well know practice of marking conquered lands like a dog peeing on a fire hydrant. This is not a racist comment, it is a mere fact.
The hidden truths of America?
a. white men don't suck, but they do own almost everything, often due to no particular labor or virtue of their own.
b. humanity doesn't suck, but does tend to burden the natural world
c. christians don't suck, but do tend exhibit wildly unchristian attitudes and use the Bible to justify its many outrages (all denominations included)
d. i like a nice balanced bank account. the last time the US was in the black was under Bill Clinton.
Wow, you clearly agree with me Shilodance!
To re-iterate your points, and their hidden implications:
a. White men own almost everything -- white men are greedy are selfish (they suck).
b. Humanity is a burden on the natural world -- if humanity were gone, the natural world would be better off. (humanity sucks)
c. "Christians" hold wildly unchristian attitudes (are they really true christians then? if so, Christians suck)
d. Yes, Bill Clinton had a knack for balancing the budget.
See Shilodance, you are a true liberal through-and-through!
Are you enlightened? What other insights do you have to share with the world?
Schifter..... to answer your questions:
1) Imagine a group of zealous right-wing Americans highjacked planes and crashed them into downtown Mecca.
- Why would they need to hijack planes when they (zealous right-wing Americans) already had the U.S. military to just traipse into the Middle East? ;)
2) Imagine then, during the re-building process, all of the Saudis INSISTING that it okay for a Christian Church to be built on the crash site.
- Unlike these a$$-backwards countries built on extreme religious zealousness, last time I checked the US had some semblance of freedom of religion. And, like it or not, the fact is that while America was attacked on 9/11, Islam was also attacked that day. The overwhelming majority of people who practice Islam are peace-loving people that do not subscribe to the jihadist's view. And I know there were peaceful followers of Islam who died that day (not the terrorists.) SO why isn't it appropriate to let them have a place to worship wherever they choose?
3) Can you imagine that?
- see my response above. Of course I couldn't imagine it in Saudi Arabia - but aren't we better than that? Two wrongs don't make a right.
Of course, the notion of any type of peace in this world is doomed from the start, IMHO, because most societies like to go to war on the "my god is better than your god" premise. It's been that way for centuries; look it up. America is no different and no better than the Middle Eastern countries as long as our attitudes about each other and about the multitude of cultures that make up this country remain the same. We would like to believe we are tolerant, but we are just as bigoted as those who attacked us.
Hey, Sean, buy you a beer? I'm going to be in Abu Dhabi on the 24th.
They should have made the first armor plated building. Impervious to airplanes. It would have looked cool too. A battle building.
Not in America. We would rather invest in the marketing that says "this building is airplane proof" than actually make it airplane proof. Perception is reality...until an airplane crash lands in your cubicle.
Let the 911 circus begin, again...I wonder how many nauseatingly unoriginal specials and news segments I'll have to dodge to avoid the onslaught of self aggrandizing propaganda about how America "stood tall in the face of adversity"? NEVER FORGET? An interesting choice of words coming from a population of individuals who don't care to KNOW. America, the people that put the MENTAL in sentiMENTALism. Too bad because once upon a time our sense of DUTY was stronger that our current sense of GREED. America may one day shine as an ideal society...how long before the baby-boomers die off?
@Jeanmarie Baker. Incredible poem! I never could put my grief over 9-11 into words, so ty for letting me read yours. And let's let people have their emotions; if "Eat Dirt" was all that bad to say, why didn't the terrorists just say that rather than taking nearly 3000 lives? "Eat Dirt, America!" Voila! I'd rather have someone tell me to eat dirt than have them mindlessly slaughter me for some obscure religious vendetta.
I have to agree with some of the posts here that talk about how long it took to build this building, New York has more red tape than just about any other city in the world, maybe thats a reflection of how wealthy it is. Just hearing about all the committees that builders have to go thru to lay that first building block down makes it seem incredible that any work gets done there. Building a shed myself starting tomorrow, no building permit, no nothing from the local govt, nice.
But second to Los Angeles on red tape.
Why build on a Grave site? Its not wise..Too many bloods on that site. Respect the dead.
This is a point, in addition to those raised by Chris Cone, which I find to be very important. It should not have been neglected.
I really hope they build a Mosque there, along side with a jewish temple, cristian church, mormon temple, w/e scientologists have, etc. Why? to prove a point. Point being, no matter what imaginary friend you believe in, it's all generally the same thing. If you want to treat Islam as a hateful religion, try looking at your religion. Given Muhammad admired early christians and was facinated about the story of Jesus. All and all, it is just an Abrahamic religion. Bahsing the Qur'an equates to bashing your holy children's book. Also, would you like me to categorize all Christians as hillbillies that protest our fallen troops with signs reading "God Hates America" and "God Hates F*gs"? No? well then, quit bashing a whole people for the extreme acts of a few people.
Have you actually read the Koran?
Go read "the Cow" from the Koran, and compare it to the Sermon on the Mount.
Before you make claims that all religions are equal, you ought to start by doing a little reading.
Oh, some minor differences, in the end you worship a medieval imaginary friend.
While I applaud the rebuilding of the World Trade Center and still feel emotional about the two former buildings I spent a lot of time in, reading comments in this thread makes me wonder if this new tower is a testament to our strength as a nation or our weakness as a people? Hopes and wishes for revenge and the celebration over the assassination of terrorists, many of which who had nothing to do with 9/11, in my opinion mar and dull this new gleaming building. Revenge shows weakness and an unwillingness to move forward!
Tens years of war, glorified revenge, misplaced justice, intolerant anger, and indifference have made most in the US incapable of understanding what it is to be human. When we remember our slain and powerful leaders, we remember them for what they did and stood for, and not continue to wish death, destruction, and mayhem upon those, and the families of those who killed them. It is that attitude that is causing the racial tear in our own society. It's easy to attack and condemn anyone that doesn't hate, show racism, seek revenge, and show intolerance with the same vigor as the majority. The war has given many in America the false sense that they know who the real enemy is, and it's those who are non-white!
I say let the new tower be a monument to our hopes, prayers, and strength and NOT be a testament to our weakness and bloodthirsty desires for revenge against those who did nothing to us! Certainly all those involved with 9/11 are dead, especially and including the ones who carried out the attack, so why are we still killing people? Even people who "said" they would attack America! Because we are weak! Because we are scared!
Perhaps some people still miss the old towers.
Hopefully by the time this new one is done, it will be so glorious and beautiful that people will set aside the hate from the past.
Here's to a brighter future!
Picture two muslins sitting around a camp fire one say how do we choose this time,the other thinks and say enee meen mighty moe.
Uh, what? Can anyone decipher this illiterate 7-year-old's rant?
Amen
The U.S. Post Office has a labor cost of 80%, when FedEx and UPS have 53% and 35% labor costs respectively.
In other words, the USPS employees are grossly overpaid and benefitted.
In the real world, this is a formula for failure...BANKRUPTCY....CLOSURE.
In the communist world, it means nothing...it continues to operate whild trimming services, raising prices and eventually coming to a halt under its own overwhelming weight.
If you had ever run a business or had an education, you would know these things.
Sounds like envy, maybe you should have looked into that line of work butthead!
What the hell does that have to do with the WTC rebuild?
This is a fabulous thing, and a suitable memorial for those that died in the original towers. I don't understand the nay sayers in this string at all. Why? This is a triumph of our spirit.
As a carpenter disabled by non-hodgkins lymphoma, I so wish I were working on this building!
I am in thoroughly disgusted with my fellow Americans for such insensitive remarks about One World Trade Center. It is such a tribute to all the fallen on that horrible day. Please do not talk so hateful about such a sacred place, people. Try to be respectful for once.
I am an ex New Yorker. I am glad they built another tower in the site of the old towers. I am hopeful this time they will be clever and put an armed base at the top to defend the tower if they need to. It should have a military base at the top because you know the radical hating muslims have a hard on to destroy this building.
After reading most of these comments, I'm going to take a step back and propose that only in America can we see how well our freedom of speech works by witnessing comments which run the gamut from total lunacy, naivety and rage to clarity, reason and compassion without any fear of reprisals. Thank you America and our kind of democracy. It works for me.
The real trouble is that now I can buy speech, (my money is now 'free-speech' [sic]) and I can buy all I want even put it out in media...all I want.
I can not only buy the words themselves (FOX) but can have those whose speech I buy...lie right through their teeth, keep repeating the lies and all...without fear and reprisal.
No thank you America...property (money) is NOT speech.
The first refuse of the new tyranny, is...in the courts. They have ruled that only now, for-profit businesses can spend all of their 'free-speech' they want and on speech they purchase for their for-profit interest but have now purchased a constitutionally protected plutocracy.
Now we know in America, the free-speech rights for those with more free-speech in the bank, are a little 'more equal' than yours.
Oops
Leaving Hatred aside - I watched them build WTC in Dec of 70 and July 71. I watched the Muslum Hatred that brought it down. Glad to see the new WTC. A twin tower design would have been beter but at least we got something to remember the original towers.
I can't believe all these hate posts, attacking each other with your stupity and judgment. And one of the ironworker saying this building you know is impenetrable, no it is not, remember the unsinkable cruz ship?
Give me a break! - this building is a product of the lowest bidder, like everything else in a capitalist society. I'm an architect, and I love a good building with great meaning as much as the next guy, but don't apply meaning where it does not exist to make yourself feel better. The people who built this believe in getting paid and getting paid well, and that is fine, but it's no more American than the next building down the block. These folks did not get chosen to build it because they believe in liberty and American values - what about the folks who did not get hired? Let it be what it is, a building, rebuilt in the aftermath of a great tragedy, and that is enough, and that is the best example of the human (not American) spirit - to lift ourselves up again and live.