'Never Forget Mobile Exhibit' honors those who sacrificed on 9/11
Pat Clancy describes the chaos that took place during the 9/11 attacks on American soil. The "Never Forget Mobil Exhibit" travels the nation to share some of the moments and people during those attacks. The tour will come to Millersburg June 14-15.
As a way of remembering and honoring those who lost lives, saved lives and went through tragedy on 9/11, a traveling exhibit has been created and now travels the nation. It will soon arrive in Holmes County.
Flag Day weekend in this June will take on a new meaning as residents will have the opportunity to see an exhibit dedicated to the 9/11 tragedy that has traveled the United States and Canada.
Holmes Oil Distributing has joined Dutchman Hospitality, Rea & Associates and Village Motors to bring the "9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit" to Harvest Ridge Expo and Event Center, 8880 state Route 39, a mile west of Millersburg.
The exhibit was the creation of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation that honors the fallen firefighter for which the foundation is named, as well as all the other emergency responders who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
Stephen Siller was off-duty on Sept. 11 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.
The traveling display will be escorted by local emergency responders to Harvest Ridge Expo and Event Center, where visitors will have a chance to delve into the people who gave of themselves for the hope that they might save others.
The exhibit will be displayed inside the event center Friday, June 14 from 3-9 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There is no admission charge to the grounds or the exhibit; however, donations will be accepted by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation at the event.
Mike Hummel of Holmes Oil Distributing spearheaded the effort to bring the exhibit to Holmes County.
“The name of the exhibit, 'Never Forget,' started me thinking about the importance of what happened and why it should always be remembered,” Hummel said. “Also, many of our young people were not even born when this awful tragedy occurred. I felt it was our duty not only to bring this information to these young people, but to do it in an unforgettable manner with firefighters who were actually there that day.”
Harvest Ridge manager Steve Miller said he is grateful for the sponsors for making the event possible and for allowing Harvest Ridge to act as its host venue, noting that the timing in particular is quite appropriate.
“Particularly on Flag Day weekend,” Miller said of the event coming to the area. “This is truly a unique opportunity to see a truly unique exhibit, and we hope those in Holmes County and surrounding communities will take advantage of the opportunity.”
In 2013 the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation launched its "9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit." It is a tribute to all those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, including the 343 members of the FDNY who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The exhibit is a high-tech, 53-foot tractor trailer that transforms into a 1,000-square-foot exhibit. It is a vital tool to further educate citizens throughout the country about the events of that tragic day.
Welcomed around the country from the Black Hills of South Dakota to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, the memorial provides interactive education including artifacts such as steel beams from the World Trade Center Towers, documentary videos and recordings of emergency responders' radio transmissions discussing what they needed in order to conquer the fire. Little did they know they would die heroically a few minutes later.
Interactive guided tours are carried out by FDNY firefighters, eyewitnesses to history who provide firsthand accounts of the day and its aftermath. The "9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit," which has traveled to 32 states and Canada, has been viewed by more than 350,000 people to date.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is committed to making sure Americans never forget the sacrifice of the brave people who faced terror in the eyes and gave their lives in the name of freedom and helping those in need.
For more information about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, go to www.tunnel2towers.org. For more information about the exhibit's visit to Harvest Ridge, visit www.harvestridgeohio.com/events.