Dallas Exhibit Honors Memories Of September 11th
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DALLAS (CBSDFW) - A special exhibit in Dallas is honoring the victims of September 11 and giving first responders a chance to tell their stories.
Jesuit College Prep has opened its doors to the Ground Zero 360 exhibit. Artifacts of the deceased and memories of the survivors are on display.
"We have personal belongings from the deceased police officers and firefighters," says Rachel Gaffney, who is in charge of the exhibit. "We have pieces of twisted metal, we have knives, we have badges."
Photos taken on this day 14 years ago are also displayed at the exhibit. Visitors can listen to calls that were made, and hear voices of those at the World Trade Center or Twin Towers.
Several first responders are also sharing their stories during breakout sessions. Paul McCormack is a former commanding officer of the NYPD's 41st Precinct. He remembers getting a beeper signal when the first plane hit.
"We soon found out there was more to it than just a small plane. And when the second plane hit, all hell broke loose," he remembers.
As it's hosted by Jesuit, McCormack is looking forward especially to working with the students, since few of them were even born before 9/11.
Ground Zero 360 has traveled elsewhere around the country and across the globe.
"The community gets it here in Dallas. Lot of proud Americans here," McCormack says. "And everywhere we take the exhibit, families of the deceased come to see it. It brings it all back for them, and they appreciate the support and remembrance."
"I hope this kind of reminds people how we were then," says Gaffney. "Instead of hating and blaming each other for things, I hope we can remember how it felt to come together."
Ground Zero 360 will be open at Jesuit through November. Everyone is welcome at the exhibit, but they ask that you RSVP before coming.
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