Remember and Rebuild: Muskegon community gathers to commemorate opening of 9/11 exhibition at Muskeg

MUSKEGON, MI – It has been 4,748 days since September 11, 2001.

It was on that seemingly normal Tuesday morning that the United States of America became the victim of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks which resulted in the deaths of 2,958 people.

Since then, Americans have moved on with their daily lives; they've rebuilt, but never have forgotten.

On the 13th anniversary of that tragic day, the Muskegon community gathered to celebrate New York's rebirth when a ceremony was held in honor of the opening of a new exhibition at the Muskegon Museum of Art.

Remember and Rebuild: Picturing the National September 11 Memorial and Museum is an original exhibition which tells the story of the creation of the museum built on the same site where the World Trade Center towers once stood.

The MMA is the first American art museum to feature the exhibition, which features images by the museum's photographer, Amy Dreher, as well as several artifacts found at Ground Zero.

Thursday's ceremony began with a short parade featuring Muskegon-area first responders, after which time Amy Heisser -- chair of the Muskegon Museum of Art Foundation -- welcomed the large crowd gathered in front of the museum entrance.

"We remember that day," she said. "We remember the tragic losses that all of us suffered as a community, as a family, and as a country. In that sliver of time, our world was changed forever. We also remember the heroism of those who rushed in, of those who gave all they had and did all they could do in the face of the unimaginable."

The ceremony included the raising of a flag by the Muskegon County Police Honor Guard. The flag was flown over the Capitol on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It was donated to the museum by the office of United States Representative Bill Huizenga.

The flag was lowered by Muskegon-area firefighters who traveled to Ground Zero within days of the attacks and presented to Muskegon City Commissioner Eric Hood in honor of David Pruim -- the son of former Muskegon Mayor James Pruim -- who perished in the south tower during the attacks.

State representative Marcia Hovey-Wright also read a proclamation on behalf of the state of Michigan.

"This exhibition honors those who perished, pays tribute to the construction of an important national site of remembrance, strengthens our sense of national identity and expresses the unity, respect and inspiration that people from all over the world bring to their experiences of the museum," she read.

The proclamation was signed by Hovey-Wright, Sen. Goeff Hansen, Rep. Collene Lamonte and Gov. Rick Snyder.

A rendition of "Amazing Grace" by the Muskegon Police Pipe and Drum Corps, a rendition of TAPS and a moment of silence were also held as part of the ceremony before patrons entered the museum to see the exhibition for the first time.

"We express our gratitude to the construction workers who have been responsible for transforming Ground Zero - a site of chaos and incomprehensible tragedy and pain -- into the national memorial and museum," Heisser said.

"Today, a site that reaffirms respect for life, strengthens our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspires an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance. In the end, we begin again, we rebuild."

Brandon Champion covers arts and entertainment, business and weather for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at bchampio@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter @BrandonThaChamp

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