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‘Village Angels’ Protect Tiles for America

L: a birds-eye view of the tiles being taken down pre-Irene (image courtesy of Erin Clermont); R: storing the tiles during the hurricane take-down (image courtesy of Jack Weingart)

As many of you may have seen or heard, the beloved 9/11 Tiles for America on the fence at Mulry Square were removed two weeks ago in preparation for Hurricane Irene.  The neighborhood group that has been tending to the tiles over the past ten years and had organized their safe removal has been unofficially called “Village Angels.”  Last evening, one of GVSHP’s staff noticed that an abundance of tiles were being stored in a shopping cart on Greenwich Avenue.  Wanting to make sure that they were being safeguarded, we investigated and, of course, the amazing Village Angels had it all under control.

The shopping cart of tiles outside Cafe Rou Rou where they are being looked after

A view of one of the sides of the fence pre-hurricane (image courtesy of Tiles for America)

Angelo Rizza, owner of the nearby Rizza Salon, was kind enough to house and safeguard the tiles during the storm.  Now, several Greenwich Avenue businesses including RouRou Cafe and Canine Styles, along with individual Village Angels, are protecting and storing the tiles until they have all been put back up.

Many of the original angels that were on the fence, now on display inside Cafe RouRou

This re- installation process began this past Sunday at the conclusion of the Walk of Remembrance for Fr. Mychal Judge.  Firefighters from Squad 18 came to the site in their truck and began hanging tiles.  Soon more neighbors and attendees of the walk followed suit.  Since Sunday, Dusty Berke, Greenwich Avenue resident and one of the founders of Village Angels, has been sitting at a little table in front of the tiles asking passersby to say a prayer, hang a tile, and spread the word.

Village Angels, Justine Potashnik (L) & Dusty Berke (R) sit in front of the tiles spreading the word

This memorial will be going on through the weekend, culminating on Saturday with an organic memorial where people are encouraged to come to Mulry Square at any time with candles, guitars, photos, or anything that inspires them, and help hang the tiles.  In a recent Villager article Dusty said that this process will let people “feel that they’re part of the rebuilding process.”   People from all over the world- a choir from Sweden and a woman from Israel who painted more tiles, to name a couple- have been moved to attend Saturday’s memorial.

just some of the 100s of Tiles for America

The outpouring of love is evident when you visit the site today. Jim Power, the Mosaic Man, has created a special planter that sits at the corner of the lot and will be bringing a handmade bench as well.  Chris King, a florist in the Flower District who lost many clients in the attacks, donated 20 beautiful potted palm trees to transform the memorial into “an oasis.”  Another man brought a gorgeous, vintage bench adorned with flower vases.

Chris King’s donated palm trees along Greenwich Avenue
L: the donated bench; R: GVSHP staffers Dana & Elizabeth stand in front of the mosaic planter donated by Jim Power

For the past few years GVSHP has been closely following the MTA’s plan to put an emergency ventilation plant on the site of Mulry Square (the MTA owns this triangular plot of land).  If you’re interested in getting involved with Tiles for America, want to learn more, or want to attend Saturday’s Memorial, visit the Tiles for America Facebook page!

4 responses to “‘Village Angels’ Protect Tiles for America

  1. Dusty
    You are doiga great service and we are lucky to have you.
    Wish I lived closer but will be in NYC on the 16th & 17th of September and again passing through one weekend in early October.
    Love to hear from you! Keep up the good work!
    Tom

  2. You guys are the best. Ever since 9/11 I have passed by this Memorial and thought of the tremendous Horror that took place. We were at too many funerals, and like so many others, witnessed far too much loss. These tiles not just reminded me of the that day, but of the compassion that poured out in the days and years that passed. The tilest brought comfort with time, yet reminding us all what occurred on the clear blue morning.
    We not only share the tragedy, but we can also share the recovery, if we could just get them back…soon!
    Thank you for all your hard work,
    Timothy Bascom

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