By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Warren Motts wants to make sure that the sacrifices Americans made on Sept. 11, 2001 during the terrorist attacks on New York, the Pentagon, and in the air over Pennsylvania are not forgotten.
Motts, the director of Motts Military Museum in Groveport, is making plans and raising money to build a $2.5 million, 5,000 square foot building to house a large collection of 9-11 historic artifacts. The building will be adjacent to the existing museum.
“The 9-11 attack on American soil was the beginning of our war on terrorism,” said Motts. “We must never forget all those who lost their lives on that infamous day in history and those in our military, men and women, who continue to fight our war on terrorism.”
Motts Military Museum currently houses the largest collection of 9-11 artifacts outside of New York City, according to Motts.
“The museum is located 550 miles from two thirds of the population of the United States and these artifacts are a valuable asset to the history of the United States and must be displayed,” said Motts.
A partial list of recovered items from the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center donated to Motts Military Museum by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey include: World Trade Center street level sign damaged from the collapse of the Twin Towers; Ladder 18, a 42-foot Seagraves fire truck from the Fort Pitt Lower Manhattan Fire Station recovered from Ground Zero after the attack; Port Authority Police Department unmarked black police car and a police SUV vehicle damaged from the collapse of the Twin Towers; miscellaneous metal fragments recovered from the World Trade Center site; North Tower antenna part; and a piece of the steel stairway channel with step carriage outline on it.
“We also have pieces of the stone facing of the Pentagon that was hit by the terrorist hijacked 757 jet (Flight 77) aircraft that crashed into the heavy masonry wall of this sprawling building on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001,” said Motts.
Motts said the first phase of the building project is proceeding, which includes moving the utilities and starting construction of the walkway.
“As the funds are obtained we will work toward the opening of the building,” said Motts.
Motts said fundraising efforts to raise money to construct the 9-11 building are ongoing. So far only $140,000 has been raised, he said.
“We would like to get more corporations involved as well as more individuals giving to this very important project,” said Motts.
Motts Military Museum welcomes anyone who would like to help get the 9-11 exhibit housed in a permanent building. Send your donation to Motts Military Museum, 5075 S. Hamilton Road, Groveport, OH. 43125. You can also donate online at www.mottsmilitarymuseum.org and click on “funding” at the top of the page.
