Bush Unveils 9/11 Paintings for 25th Anniversary

Former President George W. Bush has unveiled a collection of 16 paintings titled "Remembering 9/11" to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The exhibit, which opened this week, is on display at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, and will remain open through September 30. The centerpiece of the collection is a self-portrait depicting the moment Bush was informed by his chief of staff, Andrew Card, that a second plane had struck the World Trade Center. The painting recreates the scene from a Sarasota, Florida, elementary school classroom, where Bush was reading to children when the attacks unfolded. Other works in the series include images of smoke rising over Lower Manhattan, a police officer's badge, and American flags. In a statement accompanying the release, Bush wrote, "Twenty-five years ago, the actions of an enemy revealed the spirit of the American people. These and other paintings are my reflections of this solemn anniversary." He added, "May we always honor the precious lives stolen, and may God bless America." The exhibit has drawn a range of public reactions.