Columbia remembers September 11, 2001
Photos and story by Cub@TheColum JobhianS tDari.cxoomn

Columbia Chief of Police Dean Crisp was in his office and watched the 9/11 tragedy unfold on television. Policemen from his department went to Ground Zero to help in the after - math of the disaster.

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum Exhibition tour opened at Finlay Park September 10, 2007. The tour consists of a four vehicle traveling show including a mobile movie theater, walls of pictures from Ground Zero, a sample of authentic artifacts from the Twin Towers site, and an outdoor multimedia lab for viewing the interactive timeline and learning more about the Tribute Memorial.

There were multiple speakers including local dignitaries, witnesses, and first responders. Behind the podium was a beam that will be used in the construction of the memorial. Everyone got a chance to sign it and leave their mark in history. The exhibition left Columbia Tuesday for stops in at least 14 cities across the nation. The memorial will consist of two pools in the footprints of the Twin Towers. At least 29,047 people from over 90 different countries, ranging in age from two to 92 died that day including over 400 first responders. Each of their names will be engraved along the sides of the monument.

Elizabeth Woodland sang the National Anthem at the 9/11 Memorial Tour Kick off at Finlay Park in Columbia. She wrote on the beam challenging Americans to sing with pride. David Zalesne, president of Owens Steel in Columbia was living in Pennsylvania September 11, 2001 and lost friends and co- workers in the crashes. He is proud that Owens Steel hads such a big part in the Memorial and the healing it represents. Jason Viglione of Sumter, S.C. holds a picture of his uncle who perished while trying to save others from the collapse of the World Trade Towers on September 11, 2001. Marcelo Pevida, ret ired NYPD Officer was a first responder at the Wor ld Trade Center September 11, 2001. A piece of the wreckage hit his car just as he exited the car to begin rescue effor ts. Despite his injuries, Previda continued rescue efforts. Steve Mochel and Brian Neville have been on board since the tour design began back in April. The four vehicle traveling exhibit took 10 to 11 weeks to build and about 17 hours to set up for each stop on the tour. The original tour is planned for 15 cities but will hopefully be expanded to 50 cities by the end of the tour.