Nuss Collection presents Ground Zero 911 Memorial

Hi, I'm Bob Nuss from the Nuss Collection Museum in Rochester, Minnesota. Welcome to our museum! Today, I’d like to share the story of two historic Mack Trucks with connections to Ground Zero and the incredible efforts following 9/11.
Shortly after the tragic events of September 11, several Mack trucks were donated to the City of New York to assist with the cleanup of Ground Zero. These trucks worked tirelessly for over nine months, finally returning to Mack in late May. Mack decided to auction them for further use, and I was honored to be involved.
At first, I hesitated, but I saw an opportunity to preserve this history. I partnered with Vaughn Veit, a renowned demolition contractor and collector, to bring one of these trucks to Minnesota. At an auction, we secured a Mack CL713 with a demolition body-a perfect fit for Vaughn’s collection.
When we brought the truck back, we discovered it still contained debris from Ground Zero. The City of New York advised us to ensure it was handled respectfully. This truck was truly historic, complete with a Ground Zero Commemorative Truck emblem on its hood.
Beyond this, I also assisted in securing a Mack chassis for a rescue body donated by General Fire and Safety of Minnesota. Their employees donated their time to build this rescue truck for New York. Before it went into service, the truck was showcased at a Minnesota Vikings game, where it received an overwhelmingly positive response.
Both trucks were later blessed and put into service in New York. Their stories, alongside the contributions of many dedicated individuals, remind us of the resilience and unity that followed 9/11.
We’re proud to have these vehicles on display here at the Nuss Collection Museum. Thank you for visiting, and we hope these stories inspire you as much as they’ve inspired us.