The exhibit was in the parking lot of the Central Library, where this photo was taken. Several of Memphis's finest from MFD were on the scene. Thankfully we didn't see any 9/11 Trutherists on the premises.
Visitors could watch an 8 1/2 minutes tribute video featuring some of the 9/11 survivors, which is available here. Guests were asked to donate, but not pressured to do so. Laptop computers allowed visitors to send the above video to their home email so clearly they wanted information about those who might be considered friendly to the cause. Mine was freely given with that understanding.
On the way out people could sign their names to a large I-beam to be erected at the WTC memorial site. We signed. As did this gentleman.
Curious as to the reason for all this, especially after seeing Debra Burlingame in the film, I asked several friendly folks with "staff" tee shirts some semi-probing questions but most were volunteers or paid staff hired in the local area and couldn't provide much of an answer other than referring me to their website. Upon return home a quick check of the site provided a hint as to why this might be occurring:
The Memorial Museum MissionThat last statement is refreshingly bold and seems completely opposite to what the generic modern politically correct memorial organizer might envision, made clear by the controversy surrounding the Flight 93 Memorial. Sure enough there was indeed a small brouhaha regarding an earlier plan to place an International Freedom Center at Ground Zero (read the story for the content). Efforts to do so have apparently been thwarted so perhaps the organizers are perhaps wary and would like some grassroots buy-in across the country. Whatever the case, it appears a good cause.
The National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center will bear solemn witness to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. The Museum will honor the 2,980 victims of these attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others. It will further recognize the thousands who survived and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath. Demonstrating the consequences of terrorism on individual lives and its impact on communities at the local, national, and international levels, the Museum will attest to the triumph of human dignity over human depravity and affirm an unwavering commitment to the fundamental value of human life.
