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Families, Survivors Mark Opening of 9/11 Museum

CBN

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A museum devoted to telling the story of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks opens Thursday deep beneath ground zero in New York City.

For the next six days survivors, victims' families, and recovery workers will be able to visit the National September 11 Memorial Museum before it opens to the public May 21.

The exhibits tell the stories of the nearly 3,000 people killed when Islamic terrorists hijacked two planes and flew them into the World Trade Center. It's a place of both silence and tragedy.

The museum reaches down about seven stories, all the way to the bedrock that supported the towers. For many, it's a sacred place, both chilling and heartbreaking.

"It is a place for families to grieve, to pray, to remember, and none of us can put ourselves in their shoes," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The museum houses 10,000 artifacts, including the stairs that led so many survivors to safety, the cross of steel beams found at ground zero, and a mangled fire truck.

"It's emotional -- very, very, very emotional," Charles Wolf, who lost his wife during 9/11, said.

"They have the power to not only honor the dead but inspire the living through these exhibits...and through this access to this very sacred place," Anthony Gardner, who lost his brother, said.

Among the stories of heroism are snippets about the hijackers, including a brief history of al Qaeda.

Over the last few weeks, that small part of the museum has come under fire, with Islamic activists asking that terms like "Islamist extremism" and "jihadism" be removed.

The museum has declined.

Thursday's dedication is kicking off with a speech from President Barack Obama, along with survivors, victim's families, and first responders.

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