Bixby Residents Remember 9/11 At Local World Trade Center Artifact

Tulsa has a piece of the World Trade Center in its own backyard and the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted an observance at the artifact today.

Parents took the opportunity to reinforce the tragic history to their children growing up in a post 9/11 world.

People from throughout Green Country chose to reflect on the 15th anniversary in Bixby, as part of the World Trade Center sits at Washington Irving Park.

Most adults can remember where they were.

"It was just a normal Tuesday. We were getting our coffee together, we had just gotten to work," said Bob Johnson, Southwest Airlines Operations Agent.

Johnson worked for an airline in Dallas in 2001. Today, he shared his perspective with a crowd. 

"All of a sudden, you could feel a murmur, a heaviness in the building. A plane had hit the first tower," Johnson said.  

Abram Gareis is among a growing number who don't remember. He wasn't born yet.

"We decided to come out here because i wasn't old enough when 9/11 happened, so I really wanted to know what happened about it,” Gareis said.

The group circled around a steel beam from the World Trade Center, dedicated to 9/11 victims.

Organizer and Patriot Day Observance Chairman Carolyn Thornton says while she's not sure which building the beam is from, but just having a part of the Twin Towers available to look at and learn from makes a difference for children trying to understand the history.

"Oh - that's what that is,” Thornton said. “So you know, you've got to make the connections for them and make sure they understand, and then repeat it, and repeat it."

Julie Gareis said her son Abram is eager to learn more.

It was his idea to be here today.

"He asked to come, Julie Gareis said. “He came home and he asked multiple times, ‘mom, I really want to go to this.’ So I was like, ‘absolutely, we'll go.’"

Abram Gareis plans to bring his younger sister next year.