A new exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial Museum is working to ensure that the memory of September 11, 2001, remains vivid for Americans who were not yet born when nearly 3,000 people were killed in the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. The exhibit, titled "Our Flag Was Still There," showcases flags and artifacts related to the attacks as the nation marks 25 years since 9/11 and its 250th anniversary.
The museum reports that a third of the U.S. population has been born since the attacks, meaning millions of Americans have no personal memory of that day. "It is 25 years later, and it's our teachers, our first responders, men and women in our military forces, educating them on what happened and what the response was," said Jay Weinkam, executive vice president of government and community affairs at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
The exhibit in Foundation Hall features flags with stories from first responders, veterans and Americans who lived through the attacks. Notable artifacts include the Ground Zero flag raised by FDNY firefighters, the flag draped over the Pentagon by soldiers and firefighters, and a flag raised over the last column of the South Tower. A flag once tucked into a lead Chinook pilot's flight gear during Operation Neptune Spear—the May 2011 raid that killed Usama bin Laden—is also on display.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservatives and veterans groups see the exhibit as essential to preserving patriotic values and understanding America's military response to terrorism. Weinkam noted that flags displayed in the exhibit represent resilience, hope and national unity.
"The flag was a source of strength, resilience and hope… people should have pride and remember how we responded," he said. "Obviously, learn about what happened, but have some pride in how we came together."
Retired Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, who commanded the special operations forces that carried out Operation Neptune Spear, told Fox News that 9/11 showcased the American spirit. "It really showcased the American spirit," he said. "It showed that in our most dire moments, we can come together, unify and get the job done."
Will Chesney, a retired SEAL Team operator and dog handler who participated in the bin Laden raid, said seeing America's unified response after the operation was announced offered a glimpse of national cohesion worth preserving. "Seeing America just so excited and unified and coming back together, that might've been one of the best parts of the whole night," he said.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive educators and museum advocates say exhibits like this serve a vital function in preserving historical memory for generations without direct connection to 9/11. Elizabeth L. Hillman, president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, told Fox News that physical artifacts help young people emotionally connect to events they only know from textbooks.
"When we see the spaces, when we see the material, the artifacts, the models, the axe that a firefighter carried, those sorts of real experiences, material experiences, and firsthand experiences with eyewitnesses, they help move people to understand and appreciate what came before," Hillman said. She emphasized that the museum can connect visitors to stories from September 11 and its aftermath in powerful ways.
Education advocates argue that without such programs, younger generations risk losing touch with a pivotal moment in American history. The museum has placed an emphasis on helping teachers across the country bring 9/11 education into classrooms through specialized curricula and training materials.
What the Numbers Show
The September 11 attacks killed 2,977 people when four commercial aircraft were hijacked and struck the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Approximately 33 percent of the current U.S. population—roughly 110 million Americans—were born after September 11, 2001.
The exhibit marks 15 years since Operation Neptune Spear on May 2, 2011. The museum requires every NYPD cadet and FDNY probationary firefighter to visit as part of their training to learn how their departments responded on 9/11. The institution also conducts training programs with federal agencies for new recruits across law enforcement and emergency response disciplines.
The Bottom Line
The exhibit reflects broader efforts by the 9/11 Memorial and Museum to reach Americans born decades after the attacks. Museum officials say as fewer people with direct memories of that day remain in leadership positions, preserving artifacts and personal stories becomes increasingly important for future generations. Visitors can view "Our Flag Was Still There" in Foundation Hall, where educators continue developing classroom programs aimed at teaching students nationwide about the events of September 11 and America's response.