9/11 Exhibit Opens To Public In Hobart

Oklahomans are getting an up-close look at an important piece of history from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The General Tommy Franks Museum unveiled a new exhibit, '9/11 Never Forget', to mark the 15th anniversary of the attacks.

The museum, founded by the same man who led the attack on the Taliban after Sept. 11, 2001, now owns a beam from the World Trade Center.

"We actually designed and encourage people to walk up to it, " said Warren Martin, the exhibit creator.

The steel beam is 14-foot-long and 3,000 pounds but it also carries the weight of a nation left devastated by the horror on Sept. 11, 2001.

"You saw all across America, all across the world, especially in America -- a patriotic response to what happened that day," said Martin.

In the years following that tragic day, pieces from the wreckage were preserved and given to institutes across the country.

After traveling more than 1,500 miles from New York City to Hobart, Oklahoma, the beam is said to be the fixture of the new exhibit and is already attracting a crowd.

"It is very powerful to touch something that came from ground zero, just to tie yourself to that moment," said Martin.

He hopes an opportunity to touch a piece of 9/11 history will also touch hearts.

"What I hope people take away from this... I hope they leave wanting to make a patriotic response because it is still about the people of America," he said.