ELKHART, Ind. – Proudly supported by RV industry supplier Patrick Industries, the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit was on display Wednesday and Thursday (May 22 and 23) in downtown Elkhart at 240 E. Jackson Blvd., a suite of offices that houses, among other entities, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County.
Patrick team members were helping out on-site both days as hundreds of people lined up to go through the traveling exhibit – officially named “The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit” – with its guided tours. Tours are given by actual first responders who were eyewitnesses to history, providing firsthand accounts of their personal experiences on Sept. 11, 2001.
RVBusiness spoke with Patrick Industries VP of Marketing Anna Parker as she and her team members helped usher another group of attendees into the exhibit Thursday (May 23.)
“Patrick Industries is a national company with a national presence and we were looking for an organization that supports first responders and military veterans on a national scale,” said Parker on behalf of the company. “It’s such a standup organization. They have one of the highest transparency ratings a non-profit can get. I mean 95 cents of every dollar goes to their programming directly. We were impressed by the impact they have had and the range of services they provide. So The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit is proudly supported by Patrick Industries today and yesterday here in Elkhart.”
The foundation is well-known for its 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit, a traveling exhibition that educates people about the events of September 11. The exhibit features artifacts from the World Trade Center, documentary videos, and recordings of first responder radio transmissions. It serves as a powerful reminder of the day’s events and the heroic efforts of those who responded. The exhibit has appeared in 38 states and been visited by over 650,000.
“Heading into Memorial Day Weekend what better way to go through a moving experience that really allows us to reflect and remember,” said Parker at the exhibit. “But I think it also allows us to celebrate how people came together. People remember the heartbreak, but also the unity.”
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, founded in memory of firefighter Stephen Siller, focuses on honoring the sacrifices of first responders and military members who lost their lives or were seriously injured in the line of duty. Stephen Siller, who tragically passed away during the September 11 attacks, is remembered for his brave actions, running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in full gear to reach the World Trade Center.
“This outreach helps to ensure that the sacrifices of that day are remembered and that the legacy of those who gave their lives continues to inspire community service and support for those who risk their lives for others,” she concluded.
Bring the 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit to your community by contacting Jackie Eaton, 203-746-9619, exhibit@t2t.org or donate now at www.T2T.ORG
