9/11 artifacts unveiled in Chesapeake

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - Hampton Roads residents will have the opportunity to touch a part of history from 9/11.

Friday, City officials in Chesapeake unveiled a steel beam from the World Trade Center, a 300-pound piece of limestone from the Pentagon, and a rock from Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

To remember the tragic day, the city will be holding a Freedom Festival, but at this festival the music isn't the main event.

April Gallop worked at the Pentagon. She brought her son to work on September 11 to enroll him in pre-school. When the plane hit, Baby Elisha got lost in the debris.

Gallop could hear him crying, but couldn't see him.

"I reached down. I felt something. I pulled it up and it was him I said 'pull, pull, pull'," Gallop remembered.

Ten years later, at 10-years-old, Elisha Gallop is the youngest survivor of the attacks.

"I think that I'm alive for a reason and God has a purpose for me that's why I'm alive," Elisha said.

At Friday's unveiling, Elisha touched the beam from the north tower, but didn't feel up to touching the limestone from the Pentagon.

"I was touching it to be able to make some kind of connection," Elisha said.

Robin Brewington already has a connection to the day, her birthday. Ten years ago was the last time it was a happy one.

"They said 'do we go on with the party?' Are you kidding, of course not, there's nothing to celebrate today, nothing to celebrate again on 9/11," Brewington said.

The artifacts that moved so many Friday were driven to Chesapeake by a truck driver, who never got to see the display.

Michael Connor and his son Dwayne drove to New York and back to bring the tangible pieces of history to Virginia.

Michael died suddenly from a heart attack last week.

"I wish the old man was here for it, but he's here," Dwayne said. "He's here."

To get the artifacts to Chesapeake, organizers had to convince federal officials they would be displayed properly.

The Freedom Festival , at Chesapeake City Park on Greenbriar Parkway, will run through Sunday.

It is the first opportunity the public has to see the historic artifacts.

Organizers said they hope to bring the artifacts around to area schools before finally setting up a memorial somewhere in the city.

For more information on the Freedom Festival click here .