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Temporary towers of light, sculpture to honor N.Y. victims

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Two temporary memorials to commemorate victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center will be unveiled on March 11, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York Gov. George Pataki said Tuesday.

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"The Sphere," a 15-foot sculpture salvaged from the World Trade Center ruins, will be dedicated in Battery Park during an early morning ceremony timed to coincide with the same time that a hijacked jetliner struck the North Tower six months ago.

A "Tribute in Light" memorial will be lit shortly after dusk later that day, with 616,000 watts powering a pair of lights that will point skyward for 32 days, forming two towers of light at the spot the World Trade Center towers once stood.

"These two ceremonies are to say what can't be put in words," Bloomberg said as he stressed the temporary nature of both memorials.

Some victims' relatives who were on hand for the announcement praised the effort to memorialize their loved ones. But some feared that the site will become too busy for families to reflect and pray.

"I think it's appropriate, and we do appreciate it," said Patricia Reilly, whose sister was killed in the attack. "But we don't want it to overshadow the push for the real memorial, which we need to keep focused on as they redevelop downtown Manhattan."