Only One Piece of the Twin Towers is in Montana. Here’s Where.
Never Forget.
If you're over the age of like 30 or so, you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing on the morning of 9/11/2001. Even though it's been over two decades, the memory is burned permanently in my brain. It's as vivid now as it was 20 years ago. So when I hear the words "never forget", my thoughts are, "How could I?"
Montana has just one piece of the Twin Towers.
The nation watched in sorrow for months, as the charred rubble from the attack in New York was slowly removed from the site. Eventually, just 1,200 pieces of the twisted, steel girders were distributed to various groups and organizations around the country for memorial purposes.
The MSU-B City College
Montana's only piece of the Twin Towers rests reflectively on the City College west end campus, near the corner of Shiloh and Central. The monument honors the 2,752 lives lost on September 11th. Three placards surround the display, explaining (briefly) what occurred on that horrible day in US history.
The project was dedicated in 2011.
The six-foot-long section of I-beam from the World Trade Center is anchored a foot or so above the ground, all resting on a 40-foot concrete pad. Artistic representations of the fallen towers rise 16 feet into the air behind the beam. You can read a pdf of the dedication ceremony program archived HERE.
A ceremony will be held at 8:46 am on Monday, September 11.
While I know I will never forget, I sometimes worry that my kids will have no idea what 9/11 was and how it deeply impacted all of us. 3 of my 5 weren't even born yet. And really, how can I expect them to have the same feelings or emotional connection to that day? They can read every book, watch every film, and listen to every podcast about that day, but... it's not the same.
The 9/11 Remembrance ceremony at City College is free and everyone is welcome. Find out more HERE.
NEVER FORGET: Images from 9/11 and the days after