The National Veterans Memorial & Museum: Remembering 9/11, Free Admission for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members, and a Veterans Hiring Event on 9/13/2019.

Today was a national day of remembrance. The most common question asked or answered when referring back that fateful day is, “where were you when . . .” The memory is one that is still burned into my mind. On September 11, 2001 I was a freshman at Middle Tennessee State University, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in the midst of finishing an Economics 101 exam. I vaguely recall the professor stating something to the effect of despite, what sounded like a confused utterance from the height of the auditorium seating where I was sitting, such and such we would continue on with the test. I had no idea. This was 2001 and mobile technology was not that which it is today so I pressed forth as instructed still unclear what he could have been referencing.

After turning in my test I quickly walked back to the dorm. As I entered the double doors to walk through the lobby to the elevators I was immediately stopped by the complete awkwardness of seeing a room full of individuals all crowded together staring at the large television at the end of the lobby. There were so many individuals packed into this space in fact that I could not even see the TV. As I walked slowly towards the elevator I asked, in spite of the silence I was hearing, what is going on? “Man . . . . someone flew a plane into the World Trade Center in New York.” I did not have a response.

Getting off of the elevator I silently walked towards the door to insert the key in utter confusion. This was one plane. I know there had been plane crashes before but nothing to this magnitude. Why would someone miscalculate so badly and in New York City of all places?

As I entered the room I woke up my dorm mate and said, “hey, did you know that someone hit the World Trade Center in New York?” His response was, “huh? What are you talking about? (in a tone one makes as they are waking up of half-understanding)” Scrambling for the remote and turning on the news which was showing the burning WTC half turned towards him and still both eyes fixed on to the TV I said again, “LOOK! (Seeing it now for the first time myself.) Someone has just hit the . . . . . . ” Extended silence. “Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! Thh-thhh-thhh um . . they they . . . . (as I start shaking with tears beginning to stream not knowing why but at the same time knowing why) He now more awake said, “What?! What’s going on! Give me my glasses what’s going on with you?” I said, “It’s not me. Here . . . just . . . . just look.”

Neither of us could say another word for a very long time. We both eventually contacted our parents while still being in a state of shock. This was the United States. We were only 18 years old and things like this happened to our grandparents that speak of Pearl Harbor and fought in World War II. This was not a world we knew or could even ever conceive we would ever know. What was not known would become known from that day forward. The banner on Ground Zero which read We Will Never Forget indeed is a statement that many of us have made the mental commitment to since that day which brings us to today.

Today, September 11, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio I attended the 9/11 Memorial at The National Veterans Memorial & Museum sharing the experience with others that have also never forgotten. Before continuing with this article giving some brief highlights on The National Veterans Museum and Memorial and their upcoming hiring event for Veterans I want to pause and just say a huge THANK YOU to any veteran, active service member and/or their loved ones for their service. Having a father that has served in Iraq twice and a grandfather that served in both World War II and Vietnam paying tribute and honor to our service men and women is something taken with of the highest level of respect.

The National Veteran Memorial & Museum, FREE for Veterans and Active Service Members

The National Veteran Memorial & Museum, at 300 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, opened in 2018. It was also designated as THE Veterans Memorial of the entire United States on June 21, 2018 (Press release of designation: http://3c8aeba0c1bae8e2bb9e-4ee5865752a499d56363571178586a09.r25.cf2.rackcdn.com/Press-Release-National-Veterans-Memorial-and-Museum-Act-62118-3.pdf).

If you are a U.S. Veteran or an active service member admission is 100% FREE for you. I strongly encourage you to visit. Something else we were informed of today, in this being the inaugural year of The National Veterans Memorial & Museum if one elects to join as a member the option to honor someone you know in the services is provided (I chose my father who served.). In 2021 a memorial wall will be erected with these names engraved into it. I cannot think of what a better way to honor not only my father but any service member. The link to membership options are found here: http://www.nationalvmm.org/join-give/membership/.

Friday, September 13th, 2019, Veterans Hiring Event

On this Friday The National Veterans Memorial & Museum is sponsoring a hiring event for Veterans. Here is the information as taken from their site (http://www.nationalvmm.org/vetops/:

Employers arrive at 7:00 am

Veterans arrive at 8:00 am

Morning interviews from 9am-12pm

Afternoon interviews from 1pm-5pm

Location:

Topgolf Columbus

2000 IKEA Way, Columbus, OH 43240

Phone: (614) 317-1003

The link to sign up for this event is: http://beta.oplign.com/Account/Signup

Jobs at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum

Additionally, The National Veterans Memorial and Museum is also hiring for the positions below (http://www.nationalvmm.org/about/jobs/):

In closing, as stated earlier I want to say thank you to all Veterans and service men and women. As we forge new beginnings and memories know we will never forget.

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