• Features

Gaining insight and perspective through mobile exhibition

• By Dave Mast
• June 19, 2019
• 970

Harvest Ridge in Millersburg hosted the traveling 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibition June 14-15.

Two of the presenters, Bob Sapienza and Chris Edwards, are retired New York firefighters while a third member of the team, Billy Puckett, is a retired firefighter from Texas. Together the trio shared the stories of the heroism of the 343 firefighters who ventured into the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, and lost their lives as they tried to help others.

The tour is named in honor of slain firefighter Stephen Siller. Puckett spoke about Siller’s contributions in giving his life on 9/11 and the many ways the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation continues to aid veterans and former firefighters’ families. He said this memorial is a way they can honor those who served while providing financial assistance to families.

“People are learning things here that never had any idea about what actually transpired there,” Puckett said. “They are also seeing priceless items that survived that day.”

The artifacts in the memorial were donated by firefighters who served during the 9/11 attack. The display also includes a wall with the names of all 343 firefighters who lost their lives, video footage of the events surrounding the attacks and the stories shared by the three men.

There is a jacket of one of the young firefighters who gave his life while serving. Then there is the story of Siller, who showed pride and determination in leaping into action on 9/11.

On that day Siller was off duty when the planes hit. To get to the burning Twin Towers, he needed to carry over 60 pounds of firefighting gear and run through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, now named Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, a distance of almost 2 miles. He later became one of the 343 to give their lives during that heroic effort to save others. His story and many others left a message on the hearts and minds of those who attended.

“It was very touching and very informative, especially for the younger people,” said Jenelle Berkshire, who lived in Virginia during the time when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. “I actually saw a couple of familiar faces on the wall from Virginia, so it was meaningful that they are being recognized. Those men left families behind, and we need to continue to be grateful for the sacrifice they made.”

During the two days, the memorial saw a huge line waiting to see and hear firsthand accounts of what took place. The in-depth words and the passion with which the three men spoke touched home to everyone who attended. The crowd was so large on Saturday they had to close the line for those who attended to allow the exhibit to close up and remain on schedule.

Don Conrad of Loudonville is a veteran and said the memorial brought on many emotions.

“It’s scary,” he said. “It’s just frightening and unimaginable to think about what can happen. It brings everything back into focus, and you can remember what you were thinking and feeling when it really happened. But what a way to honor those who served and gave their lives.”

Ted Shetler and his son Cody, both of whom are local firemen, visited the attack site in New York four years ago, and they were mesmerized by the visit. Upon experiencing the memorial, they said it is something everyone should experience as a reminder.

“What those men did for others was incredible,” Ted Shetler of Strasburg said. “This memorial is the best you can do without seeing the original site in New York, and hearing them explain everything brings back being in New York.”

The memorial tour makes stops throughout the United States, traveling coast to coast and setting up in big venues from New York and Chicago to Los Angeles and Atlanta. To have it come to Holmes County was a feat for the community. Puckett, who drives the truck to the 300 annual stops, said this venue is one of very few that take place inside, and the men loved the expo center’s room and air-conditioning.

The reason it came to Millersburg was because Holmes Oil Distributing President Mike Hummel wasn’t going to rest until it did. His business was joined by Dutchman Hospitality, Rea & Associates and Village Motors to bring the mobile exhibit to Harvest Ridge.

“We have people who were truly dedicated to bringing it here to Holmes County,” said Mark Lonsinger, marketing director at Harvest Ridge. “Mike felt so strongly that it should come here that he rounded up the other businesses to make sure that happened. This memorial tours the nation and stops at all of these major cities, and here it sits in Holmes County for two days. This will likely not pass through Holmes County ever again. These sponsors have given the people of this area a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided millions of dollars to veterans and firefighters for physical aids and specialized homes. There are currently 200 disabled veterans on the home list.

Each home is customized for the individual's need. The foundation purchases the land and materials and builds each home at no cost to the veteran.

For emergency responders, should they lose their life in service, the foundation pays off their mortgage and bills, and if they have children, they start a college fund for each of them. Puckett said they did that for 65 families last year.

While those in attendance filled the donation box at the end of the tour, anyone can donate to this cause by visiting the website at www.tunnel2towers.org.

One of their more recognizable donation options is the $11 a month donation with the ones in the number 11 creating a resemblance to the Twin Towers.

“These young men and their families deserve this,” Puckett said. “This was originally created as an educational tour for our children, but it has turned into so much more.”

On the road since 2013, when this year ends, the tour will have eclipsed more than 400,000 people, having visited 36 states.