Bracelet
Photo credit: Michael Hnatov
Accession Number: C.2015.24.12
Dimensions: 1/2 in X 2 ⅝ in
Dimensions (Metric): 2.54 cm X 5.08 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 2.54 cm X 5.08 cm
Source: Lourdes LeBron
Credit Line: Gift of Lourdes LeBron, Waleska Martinez's sister, and on behalf of Waleska's family members, in her memory
Description
Metal memorial bracelet created in memory of Waleska Martinez. The bracelet is engraved: "Waleska Martinez | Flt 93 Hero 9-11-01 | 'Una Boricua Para La Historia.'" A small American flag is printed to the left of the name and a small Puerto Rican flag to the right.
Metal memorial bracelet created in memory of Waleska Martinez. The bracelet is engraved: "Waleska Martinez | Flt 93 Hero 9-11-01 | 'Una Boricua Para La Historia.'" A small American flag is printed to the left of the name and a small Puerto Rican flag to the right.
Historical Notes
Waleska Martinez was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. After earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1986, she moved to New York for an intensive English course, later settling in New Jersey. She joined the U.S. Census Bureau and rose to become a supervisor. On September 11, she and a coworker, Marion Britton, boarded Flight 93 for a seminar in San Francisco. Waleska was 37 years old.
Waleska Martinez was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. After earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1986, she moved to New York for an intensive English course, later settling in New Jersey. She joined the U.S. Census Bureau and rose to become a supervisor. On September 11, she and a coworker, Marion Britton, boarded Flight 93 for a seminar in San Francisco. Waleska was 37 years old.
Curator's Comment
Building on a tradition begun during the Vietnam War era to remember American prisoners of war and those missing in action, bracelets bearing the names of victims emerged after 9/11 as a way to honor those killed in the attacks. Some bracelets also bear personal inscriptions and images, including the American flag, the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, and insignia reflecting a victim’s status as a first responder. Whether worn by relatives and friends of the victim or by empathetic strangers, 9/11 memorial bracelets created an intimate connection to individual victims while also communicating a shared sense of loss and compassion.
HIDE
Building on a tradition begun during the Vietnam War era to remember American prisoners of war and those missing in action, bracelets bearing the names of victims emerged after 9/11 as a way to honor those killed in the attacks. Some bracelets also bear personal inscriptions and images, including the American flag, the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, and insignia reflecting a victim’s status as a first responder. Whether worn by relatives and friends of the victim or by empathetic strangers, 9/11 memorial bracelets created an intimate connection to individual victims while also communicating a shared sense of loss and compassion.
HIDE
