<p>The tree-filled memorial has pools, and the names of those who died in the attacks are inscribed on the bronze panels that surround them, Xinhua reported.<br />City officials, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and many of those who helped create the memorial were present at the site to welcome the first visitors. <br /><br />"New Yorkers, Americans and people around the world now have a beautiful, dignified place to pay tribute to the memory of the 2,983 men, women and children we lost in the tragic attacks of 9/11," said Bloomberg at the opening ceremony.<br /><br />As visitors walked along the lane and traced their fingers over the names of the victims, they were deeply moved. Many visitors made pencil-and-paper rubbings of the names to take back home. Some left flowers or stuffed messages into the letters.<br /><br />"When we walked in, those images were popping in my head from 10 years ago," said Laura Pajar of Las Vegas. <br /><br />"But when I saw the memorial, all of that went away. This is so peaceful, and you kind of forget about what happened and you look toward the future."<br /><br />About 7,000 people registered online for free tickets to visit on opening day, and 400,000 are signed up for the coming months.</p>
<p>The tree-filled memorial has pools, and the names of those who died in the attacks are inscribed on the bronze panels that surround them, Xinhua reported.<br />City officials, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and many of those who helped create the memorial were present at the site to welcome the first visitors. <br /><br />"New Yorkers, Americans and people around the world now have a beautiful, dignified place to pay tribute to the memory of the 2,983 men, women and children we lost in the tragic attacks of 9/11," said Bloomberg at the opening ceremony.<br /><br />As visitors walked along the lane and traced their fingers over the names of the victims, they were deeply moved. Many visitors made pencil-and-paper rubbings of the names to take back home. Some left flowers or stuffed messages into the letters.<br /><br />"When we walked in, those images were popping in my head from 10 years ago," said Laura Pajar of Las Vegas. <br /><br />"But when I saw the memorial, all of that went away. This is so peaceful, and you kind of forget about what happened and you look toward the future."<br /><br />About 7,000 people registered online for free tickets to visit on opening day, and 400,000 are signed up for the coming months.</p>