The 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit visited Jupiter High School on Jan. 17 through the 18. The exhibit honored those who lost their lives on 9/11 and further educated students on what occurred on this devastating day. 

On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 militants affiliated with the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against politically significant targets in the United States, including the Twin Tower buildings in New York.

Approximately 3,000 people were killed, and the universal shock, fear and sadness American citizens felt enhances the importance of why we need to remember the victims of 9/11 and all those who were affected. 

Today, the mobile exhibit’s goal is to continue to educate future generations on 9/11 to ensure that those lives were not lost in vain.

The exhibit itself is an 83-foot tractor-trailer, which transforms into an 1,100 square foot, high-tech mobile museum. The 9/11 Education Foundation, in memory of Tommy and Danny Foley, joined forces with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to bring this display to JHS.

The mobile museum has traveled throughout the country informing citizens about the events of 9/11. The demonstration works to enhance students’ understanding of the attack, with detailed depictions from first responders who witnessed the event and helped in the aftermath. 

Visiting the exhibit during school entailed three members of the FDNY giving presentations to 2-3 classes per hour. The 9/11 Never forget Mobile Exhibit has educated over 600,000 people, traveling through the United States and Canada, and will continue to do so in the future. 

Americans have continued to show their love and support for their country in the years following, and have found ways to commemorate 9/11 through demonstrations such as this mobile museum. 

Jay Matousek, a Jupiter High history teacher who remembers 9/11 and its aftermath, explained his feelings about what the attack meant for the future of America.

“I knew immediately that someone had attacked our country,” Matousek said. “It really just affirmed my belief that we live in the greatest country that the world has ever seen and that there are really bad people.” 

Many Americans are unaware of the patriotism that came from this tragedy. People all over the country risked their lives for the good of the United States, numerous Americans had loved ones die in the attack with New York civilians still having to live with the trauma.

Billy Pucker, former firefighter, was a first responder during 9/11. Pucker also works for the mobile exhibit to ensure students learn and understand the events of that day.

“I hope it will teach students what happened that day,” Pucker said. “The severity of the damage caused, the heartbreak, the heartache, the sickness.” 

Pucker explained that even though times can be tough, there is always a bright side after devastation. 

“Out of all the tragedies that you will endure in your life, something good will come from it, even if you have to search,” Pucker said.