Barb Kalberloh and her husband were on an international cruise 13 years ago when disaster struck.
As the World Trade Center towers came down Sept. 11, 2001, the Kalberloh's stood in Turkey. They wouldn't find out the events of the day until they returned to the small Greek ship.
"When we came back to the ship, we knew something terrible had happened," Kalberloh said. "Everybody was in shock."
Kalberloh said because of that experience, she and her husband wanted to visit the National Sept. 11 Memorial Museum, which held special meaning to them both after their return trip to the United States back in 2001. She said flying into O'Hare International Airport in Chicago was a unique experience because of how few people were on the plane or in the airport.
"It was just unbelievable, and that's why we wanted to see (the museum)," Kalberloh said.
The Kalberlohs flew to New York City last week with the main purpose of visiting the National Sept. 11 Memorial Museum. Kalberloh said the entire visit was moving and an unbelievable experience.
"It's just something everybody ought to go see," Kalberloh said. "They had wall after wall of the pictures of the victims. ... It's full of meaning."
Kalberloh and her husband made their way through the museum, which is located underground at the original foundation level. They were able to see remnants of the towers' structural columns, stories of the victims and other artifacts from the tragic events.
"It's unbelievable ... you just can't imagine," Kalberloh said of the exhibitions throughout the museum. "It was really emotional."
On tap today
The Cole County Historical Society is holding a special program today to help remember the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, called "Remembering 911 - Preserving History."
The program will feature a roundtable discussion with veterans of three different wars that involved U.S. troops: Pete Adkins, from World War II; Don Hentges, Vietnam; and Tyler Huffman, Afghanistan.
Rain or shine, the event will run from 4:30-7 p.m. in the courtyard behind the Historical Society's building, 109 Madison St.
U.S. and Missouri flags will be flown at half-staff on all government buildings today, in honor of the individuals who died as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, according to state law.
Sept. 11 annually also has been declared Emergency Services Day and Emergency Personnel Appreciation Day, "as a day of acknowledging, with special gratitude and profound respect, all public safety personnel (and emergency personnel), including police, firefighters, ambulance personnel, emergency dispatchers and corrections officers."
Missourians are asked to recognize public safety personnel, remind residents to cooperate with such agencies, to check smoke detectors and to hold solemn contemplation for their sacrifices in the performance of their duties, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.