New Exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial Museum Commemorates the 15th Anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s Death
New York, New York – A new exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial Museum marks 15 years since the death of Osama bin Laden. This display serves to keep the memory of that significant day and its aftermath alive, especially for individuals who did not experience 9/11 firsthand.
“One-third of the U.S. population has been born since then, so it’s not just children,” said Jay Winecome, the executive vice president of government and community affairs at the Memorial. “Twenty-five years later, it is our teachers, our first responders, our military men and women who are educating us about what happened and how we responded.”
The exhibit, titled “Our Flag Was Still There,” showcases flags related to 9/11 as we observe the quarter-century anniversary of the 2001 attacks and the country’s 250th anniversary.
On that fateful day, hijacked planes targeted the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, resulting in nearly 3,000 lives lost.
Interestingly, many Americans today are too young to recollect the events of that day. Will Chesney, a former SEAL team operator and dog handler, reflected, “When I found out that all the kids that were there on 9/11 didn’t make it, it was devastating.” Elizabeth L. Hillman, president and CEO of the Memorial and Museum, added, “We’re realizing how many of us are not old enough to remember 9/11.”
The exhibit, located in the museum’s Foundation Hall, features flags that narrate the stories of first responders, veterans, and everyday Americans from that era. It’s a touching reminder of the people who lived through those times, loaded with artifacts and photographs highlighting their experiences.
In commemorating the 15th anniversary of bin Laden’s death via Operation Neptune Spear, one particular flag on display was previously wedged in the flight equipment of a lead pilot of a Chinook helicopter. After the mission, he etched “5/1/11 Geronimo ‘NS'” on the pole base, symbolizing the operation’s success.
Chesney noted that former President Obama’s announcement about the mission’s conclusion in 2011 was a pivotal moment.
Winecome emphasized that the flag represented strength, resilience, and hope for a united nation. “People should be proud and remember how we responded,” he said. “Of course we need to know what happened, but take some pride in how we came together.” Hillman echoed this sentiment, saying, “They remind us of how people can come together across lines that divide to serve a common cause.”
Among the displays are the Ground Zero flag raised by FDNY firefighters, the one raised at the Pentagon by brave soldiers and firefighters, and the flag hoisted on the last pillar of the South Tower.
The museum also places importance on educating teachers who can relay these stories in classrooms across the nation. Winecome remarked, “Every NYPD cadet and every FDNY officer comes here during their training to learn about their department’s response to 9/11.”
Hillman is hopeful that the exhibit will foster an emotional connection for younger generations regarding these events. “Museums can connect people to the events of the day in a very powerful way,” she said, highlighting the importance of artifacts in telling these stories.
Retired U.S. Navy Admiral William H. McRaven expressed that even in the darkest times, unity prevails, which is worth remembering. He stated, “It really represented the spirit of America.” This exhibit, which will remain open to the public until February 2028, captures that spirit and the enduring memory of what happened on 9/11.
