The World Memorial 9/11 Remembrance mobile exhibit will visit Downtown Hazleton on Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11.

The free exhibit will be on display at the Hazleton LaunchBox supported by Pasco L. Schiavo Esq., 13 W. Broad St, on September 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A memorial prayer service will be held Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m. at CAN DO Community Park, located at the corner of Broad and Laurel streets, featuring EMT, firefighter and paramedic Mitch Mendler of the World Memorial Foundation.

The educational and informational display features a Memorial Wall of murals that tells the story of what happened on 9/11, a ten-foot-tall replica of the World Trade Center built to scale, the Flight 93 Rose Garden, the Pentagon Memorial, the Airline Flight Crew Memorial, a 720-pound piece of World Trade Center steel from the World Trade Center: Project 2978, a metal wreckage scene of the World Trade Center titled “America Unites”, a three-foot-tall Statue of Liberty, a book of news articles and missing persons fliers from 9/11, tape recordings from air traffic control and airline personnel on 9/11, a helmet display to honor the services, a flag display, and additional artifacts.

Hazleton City Councilman and volunteer firefighter Tony Columbo said, “It's really exciting to have this exhibit here for two full days in Downtown Hazleton. It's something that's so worthwhile to see and I hope that everyone takes the time to come downtown to see it. In 2014, we had the Patriot Flag, which is a part of this exhibit, here in Hazleton and now it's coming back again. This flag was in 50 states in 50 weeks and the only places it visited in Pennsylvania were Shanksville and Hazleton so that was really special. I've been working on getting this truck here for a year and a half and it finally came to be. This mobile exhibit is similar to the 9/11 Museum in New York City because it has actual artifacts and images for people to see. When people come out to see this, it's going to be an emotional experience that will put things in perspective of what people went through on that day. I want to extend my thanks to the many businesses and individuals who donated in any way to help make this possible.”

In addition to Columbo, officials from the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Funfest Committee, Penn State Hazleton, CAN DO, Keystone Job Corps and the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress all coordinated to bring the mobile exhibit to Hazleton.

Penn State Hazleton Chancellor Dr. Elizabeth J. Wright said, “We are very honored for the Hazleton LaunchBox to serve as the venue for such an important and impressive display and tribute to those who lost their lives and were impacted by the events of 9/11. Everyone is invited to visit this free exhibit to learn, remember and reflect.”

Funfest Committee Chairman Andy Piskel said, “Funfest has a long history of celebrating our first responders and community heroes as well as the particular impact of the 9/11 tragedy for our nation as a whole. We are happy to incorporate the exhibit in our one-day Funfest in 2022, as part of the parade with the flag and finally the prayer service that will happen at 4:30 in CAN DO Community Park at Laurel and Broad on Sunday, September 11th. We encourage old and young alike to attend this free exhibit.”

World Memorial is an organization created by American Airlines pilot Brus Messinger, who was a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel on September 11, 2001, as a memorial to flight crews. It has since expanded to honor all public safety personnel and civilians. World Memorial has set up exhibits that have been on display throughout the U.S. in every state. They have also established the “KidzBeSafe” educational program and their future plans are to continue touring their memorials. What started as a virtual online tribute has now grown to be an international memorial honoring citizens lost on 9/11 from all corners of the world.

Mendler said, “The World Memorial is committed to remembering and honoring the fallen from the four attacks on 9/11/2001. Well over 100 countries lost at least one citizen – innocent men and women who went to work to do their daily tasks and families, including children, that boarded planes with other passengers traveling for business or pleasure. They will not be forgotten! Their lives were taken away from them and their loved ones. Our job is to honor them and support the families. We are keeping the memories alive! Outside of visiting the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, this is the most comprehensive 9/11 exhibit.”

For more information on the World Memorial exhibit's visit to Hazleton, contact Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce President Mary Malone at 570-455-1509 or email .