The Survivor Tree’s Flowers
One day long ago, a small Callery Pear tree took root in Lower Manhattan. Callery Pear trees are not native to New York, or even North America, but to China and Southeast Asia. Nonetheless, in the early 1900s, while people boarded boats from around the world to find a new life in America, a tiny seed also embarked on a voyage across oceans and land masses. Like many immigrants upon arrival, it found a small spot, formed roots, and declared New York its home.
That tree would grow and blossom along with New York as the Big Apple became the center of global commerce, trade, fashion, theater, cuisine, and politics. It assertively staked out its water source, soil, and sunlight. The tree, along with its entire species, would be derided by some as too aggressive, if not outright invasive; a fitting botanical reflection of its new home city. But that growth came into sudden, and violent, question on a sunny Tuesday morning in September when the unthinkable occurred and the sky fell upon New York, the tree, and the whole country.
Weeks after the September 11 attack, the Callery Pear tree was found badly burned and damaged, but still alive. It was carefully transported, rehabilitated, and less than 10 years later, returned and replanted at the World Trade Center…scarred but ready to thrive again.
This is the Survivor Tree.
Arkus’ heart and soul is defined by New York. Our most seasoned team members are New Yorkers, and myriad Arkies have direct connections to the tragedies of September 11, 2001.
As a lifelong tri-stater, and long-time Brooklynite who sees the Spire of One World Trade Center every day from my block, the Memorial is not a static entity. It is a dynamic symbol that infuses me with pride: it reminds me of this city’s resilience, our strength and creativity, and our unconditional love and care for each other that never falters when the chips are down.
The Memorial is a living tribute to what makes our city great. The team that supports the Memorial and carries the weight of this symbolic torch deserves the world’s best tools to do so. We at Arkus are committed to ensuring that is exactly what the 9/11 Memorial team has across its data organization.
We are honored to partner with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum as their Salesforce Implementation partner and to support all those who urge us to remember those who fell, to lift up those who still suffer from that day’s long-term maladies, and to build a better, safer, and more tolerant future for generations to come.
In April, the Survivor Tree’s white-petaled flowers will come splendidly into full bloom. The Survivor Tree’s flowers remind us that despite our trauma we can, and must, still create beauty.
On this September 11th, I, and everyone at Arkus, am unendingly grateful to all those at the Memorial & Museum who endeavor passionately all year to ensure that our collective “Survivor Tree” is fully nourished so that we all may do so as well.
