Traveling World Trade Center Memorial Rolling Across America in an RV

COBURG, Ore., May 14 -- When the World Trade Center was attacked on September 11th, the entire day shift of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD) was killed when the buildings collapsed. Lt. Chester Weekes, PAPD, Ret., and other retired PAPD officers are now crossing the country in Weekes' Monaco Coach diesel motorhome, sharing a memorial display that honors their 37 fallen comrades.

Artifacts in the display include a piece of the fuselage from the Boeing 767 that struck the first WTC tower, a door from an NYPA patrol car, a battered pay phone and numerous photographs and other historic items from the WTC and Ground Zero.

"People have forgotten that the New York Port Authority was first at the scene," said Weekes. "We wanted to share their stories and do something to keep the memories of our friends alive."

After the traveling exhibit ends its tour, the Ground Zero artifacts will go to the Smithsonian and the NYPA Museum.

Lt. Weekes' WTC Traveling Memorial's itinerary is posted on the Internet at www.wtcpapdmemorial.com . Monaco Coach information is available at www.monacocoach.com .