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Bush given bullhorn he used at Ground Zero

Pataki, right, presents Bush with the bullhorn Monday in the Oval Office.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush was presented Monday with the bullhorn he used to rally rescue workers at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center towers three days after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"It turned out to be one of those moments where I had a chance to speak to the world on behalf of the citizens of New York," Bush said. "It's really an historic memento -- something we didn't choose, but it was one of those days that I'll never forget."

On the Friday after the terrorist attacks, touring the disaster site known as Ground Zero with New York Gov. George Pataki and then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Bush stepped up on the crumpled remains of a fire engine to give an impromptu address to the rescue crews.

When one of the workers shouted at the president that he could not hear him, Bush replied, "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon."

The moment became one of the most memorable scenes in the aftermath of the attacks. A fireman who stood side-by-side with Bush on the rubble that day, Bob Beckwith, was on hand Monday when Pataki presented the bullhorn to Bush in the Oval Office.

"[The terrorists] have heard from us. And your leadership has been inspiring," Pataki said. "Americans will never forget this."

The president said the bullhorn will be sent to his father's presidential library at Texas A&M University, where it will become part of a "father-son" exhibit.