3 People Work from Sun Down to Sun Up 5 Days a Week to Keep the 9/11 Memorial Pools ‘Spectacular’

**Night Watchman at the 9/11 Memorial: A Journey of Remembrance and Care**

Every night, while the rest of lower Manhattan slumbers, Jim Maroon engages in a solemn task: he meticulously cleans the reflecting pools at the National 9/11 Memorial. For over a decade, Maroon has dedicated his nights to maintaining the sacred site that commemorates the lives lost in the September 11 attacks. His work extends from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., five nights a week, alongside two colleagues. Their goal is clear: to ensure the memorial remains a fitting tribute for the families who come to grieve and remember.

At age 54, Maroon’s connection to the memorial is deeply personal. He was in the vicinity of the World Trade Center when tragedy struck on September 11, 2001. Just moments from his job at the New York Mercantile Exchange, he heard the terrifying roar of the first plane flying overhead. “I remember the impact,” he recounted, “and looking out to see people jumping from high windows.” Those memories are etched in his mind and continue to influence his dedication to his current role.

In a recent interview, Maroon emphasised the significance of his work at the memorial. “These people lost family here,” he said, reflecting on the visiting families who come to honour their loved ones. “You always want to put on a good display for them. It should be a beautiful place.” His commitment to maintaining the site’s beauty is strong, understanding the emotional weight it carries for those who visit.

The process Maroon and his team undertake each night is thorough and demanding. Each of the two reflecting pools requires an impressive 88 trips back and forth as they work. “It’s a long eight hours,” Maroon noted, “but it’s worth it to take care of this place.” Every evening, he and his colleagues employ careful coordination: while one member operates the vacuum pump, the others clear debris from the pools to ensure the water remains pristine.

Despite the lonely hours spent tending to the pools, Maroon sees some advantage in this solitude. “You don’t have to see the boss,” he observed, highlighting the freedom that comes with the job’s quiet nature. Even though the repetitive task can be daunting, he relishes the simplicity of the work. “It’s not the first time you do the pool; it’s when you do it 1,000 times,” he quipped, likening it to a kind of “Groundhog Day.”

Loyalty and persistence seem to be hallmarks of Maroon’s character. He noted that no one steps in to take over the duties when he is unwell or on holiday. “I don’t know if I’m loyal, persistent, stubborn,” Maroon said, “but that’s why, 14 years later, I’m still here.” His commitment stems from a desire to honour the site and its history, with no immediate plans to leave this important role.

The National 9/11 Memorial, designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker, opened on September 11, 2011, ten years after the attacks. The design features two immense waterfall pools, each nearly an acre in size, situated on the footprints of the original Twin Towers. Water cascades down into these pools, creating the largest man-made waterfalls in North America.

Maintaining the pools involves more than just cleaning. Chemists treat the water with bromine, an algicide, while Maroon’s tasks include clearing away any growth that could impede the water’s clarity. The mission is both scientific and sentimental, making their nightly responsibilities even more significant.

Over the years, the overnight crew has encountered some unexpected challenges. One memorable moment came when Maroon found a turtle in one of the pools—likely dropped there by a bird. This unexpected visitor, affectionately named “Lucky” by the crew, was taken into their office as a pet. Maroon joked, “It’ll probably outlast us all.”

Despite the heavy emotions tied to his work, Maroon strives to maintain a balanced perspective. “If I thought about it every day, I’d be heartbroken,” he shared, acknowledging the difficulty of working in a place that holds such a painful history. Yet, he finds solace in the beauty of the site, especially when he witnesses the sun emerging over the wall, a sight he feels lucky to see.

As the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, Maroon and his team continue their vital work, ensuring that the memorial remains a place of reflection and remembrance. In his quiet, dedicated manner, Maroon carries the weight of the past while contributing to a hopeful present, embodying the spirit of resilience that characterises the monument.