This exhibition chronicles New York’s role in the first 20 years of the Global War on Terrorism, the long struggle to defeat radical terrorists following the deadly September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the United States. The dramatic events of September 11, including the horrific attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, killed thousands and forever altered the lives of all New Yorkers especially the men and women in the armed services. From 2001 to 2021, thousands of New Yorkers in uniform have served in varied missions from rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site, or Ground Zero, in lower Manhattan, to combat and support operations in the deserts and mountains of Iraq and Afghanistan. In the new Global War on Terrorism that emerged after September 11, 2001, New Yorkers awakened to the new challenge and emerged from the ashes to help safeguard the Empire State and protect the United States from terrorism.
The exhibition’s storyline includes:
The September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks and Our Response
- The Attack on the World Trade Center
- Homeland Security
- The New York National Guard Responds
Afghanistan
Operation Enduring Freedom
- Initial Offensive
- Combat, Security & Relief
- End of Combat Operations
- Task Force Phoenix
- Task Force Iron
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel
Withdraw From Afghanistan
- Operation Allies Refuge
Iraq
Operation Iraqi Freedom
- The Invasion & Fall of Baghdad
- Sectarian Violence & Insurgence
- Withdraw & Operation New Dawn
- Task Force Hunter
- Task Force Wolfhound
- Task Force Liberty
Operation Inherent Resolve
- 369th Sustainment Brigade “Harlem Hellfighters”
Operation Spartan Shield
- 42nd Division as Task Force Spartan
Never Forget
Medal Of Honor Recipients
- Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, U.S. Army
- Corporal Jason Dunham, US Marine Corps
- Lieutenant Michael Murphy, US Navy
- Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, U.S. Army