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Concern over disrespectful behavior at 9/11 memorial

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    Retired first responder speaks out

  • Duration 4:15
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As we approach the anniversary of the September 11 attacks some of the victim's family members and first responders are speaking out.

About the national memorial here in New York City they say they -- outraged some tourists are treating -- site like a playground.

Or Disney attraction.

Our next guest was so upset that she wrote a letter to the president of the memorial joining us now is Maryann has -- polar retired -- for the fire department of New York.

And first responder during the 9/11 attacks thanks for being here Marianne.

We know you lost friends on that day from the fire department so when you went to visit this memorial what turned you off.

Well it was my first visit there and I was very upset about the decorum of the people both and tourists both American and foreign.

Moms had their babies sitting on that tablets of all the names and to me that was.

-- same as a tombstone and it should have been respected people leaning on them holding Starbucks cups like it was a kitchen table.

I felt it was not appropriate.

People laughing smiling almost like this was a playground and you -- did you quorum that was required there as if this was a living tumor grade was not there.

EU you go on to what you you've got so emotional seeing all of this sense that you wrote a letter as we said to the president well what you said.

Well I described to them that I was very upset with the decorum and that I felt that should have been -- the place of respect for.

For us that we would go there and visit.

Friends and family that had died and I don't felt -- did not feel at the decorum was there was not proper it was not respectful and it was more like a playground and I felt that was an appropriate.

So in explaining.

Who was at -- -- whether -- -- the people that visit the memorial or the those responsible for -- you've been to other memorial similar let's talk about Pearl Harbor the memorial there to the US -- -- and I know you've been there.

How is it different.

There than it is 9/11.

Well it's run by national parks which I think after all the media attention surrounding this and all the issues out of the -- in the last 24 hours might actually be what's necessary.

National parks runs these memorials.

Very properly and is polite it is professional the decorum there as is that it's it's solemn.

And you're reminded of that before you walk in which is important and I think that's what's lacking here or not was also in my letter to mr.

Daniels.

There is no education and I think sadly once this construction site is ended all the walls come down and then it's going to be an open park.

There's nothing on that -- that will reflect nine -- there's the pools there's the tablets.

But there's no -- there is no tune to the of the unknown -- -- and I did you know the remains of unidentified.

That I think is going to be a problem it's it's looks like a park and there will be no security there will be no lines there's.

If there's not going to be any one to enforce all of that once those construction sites -- -- dismally construction site.

We got a hold of the actual rules for the nine elevenths memorial that you read them right now because they tried to address some of these things and not let -- -- world is a place of solemn reflection dedicated to honoring and remembering the tragic events.

And the overwhelming loss of innocent life proper decorum personal behavior and conduct is required at all times in order to provide all visitors with an opportunity.

To reflect I know you think it would be helpful if they had something like a video.

-- -- guides and just remind people of.

Well when you first lucky and there's nothing you go through all those snaking lines like you're on your on your way to an attraction or -- amusement park ride and then you -- in you go through security your -- down all these pathways and then you're on the plaza.

There's no instruction and there's nothing to remind people before they step foot on the plaza what actually happened what we went through and what's there right now what -- from the ashes is quite beautiful.

But it doesn't reflect -- advise anyone in any way why it really happened that what we went through and that -- that that that was taken.

I think there needs to be an education before you -- foot there must be a video that must be someone from the parks to say or from memorial to say.

Listen before you step foot here we want to remind you exactly what New York City went through in this wasn't just an attack on our city this was an attack on -- on our country.

And decorum must be in place before you stepped rectifying the problems seems pretty simple and we held her -- because -- -- thanks so much for being here things have happened.

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