News

We will not forget: Firefighters Association receives World Trade Center steel

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Sept. 11, 2001 is a day many remember in intimate detail. They can recall what they were wearing, where they were, and what time it was when they heard of the tragedy of the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93.

These events left their mark upon the face of America and the totality of the long term effects still haven't been felt. However, one thing is certain, those who witnessed that day will never forget the horror they felt at hearing of the 2,976 lives lost in the attack.

After nine years of waiting, the steel from the WTC is now being given to those who wish to remember and honor those who died in the tragic event.

The Eagle Firefighter Association at Dover Air Force Base heard about this program, and was one of the first groups to sign up and receive their steel. The two pieces weigh in at about 700 pounds total. One is eight and a half inches long, 16 inches wide and three inches thick. The second is 10 feet four inches long, 13 inches wide and five inches thick.

"We were supposed to be able to use a forklift to put them on the truck, but after waiting for two hours, we decided to try to lift the steel by hand," said Rodney Coleman, 436th Civil Engineers Squadron deputy fire chief. "The four of us, Dale Driscoll, Jeff McCombs and Airman William Watkinson, all drove up to the John F. Kennedy international Airport to pick up the steel. When we got there we were amazed at the amount of it just laying there in the hangar. They even had vehicles that had been destroyed when the tower fell. Those were going to be placed in the WTC museum in the basement of the new WTC."

The Eagle Firefighters Association applied for the steel in September 2009, and after 11 months patiently waiting and filing the proper paperwork to legally transfer the steel from the port authority to the firefighters association, the group was one of the first fifty organizations to receive their steel said Mr. Coleman.

"We have received over 1,000 requests for World Trade Center steel from throughout the United States and even several countries including Canada, England, Germany and Italy," said Norma Manigan, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Public Affairs senior manager. "Working with the World Trade Center steel and other artifacts is a humbling experience. We are always reminded of the tragic event and great sacrifices made that day. We are also grateful for the thousands of people who are committed to building memorials to honor those who died."

With the steel now at Dover Air Force Base, the firefighters association is starting to plan how to construct the memorial, the first planning meeting is Aug. 19. The goal is to have a completed memorial ready to be unveiled Sept. 11, 2011 the tenth anniversary of the attacks.

"They started this program so anyone who wanted to build a memorial has the opportunity," said Mr. Coleman. "Firefighters around the world all feel an affinity for the New York Fire Department. They did their jobs like any firefighter would, and it was their selfless sacrifice that saved lives at the cost of their own."

"This will help us remember the sacrifice," said Mr. Coleman. "We have nothing but respect for everything those brave men and women did. This memorial will be a reminder of the lives lost and sacrifices made. We plan on making it the first thing we show during tours of the firehouse. Future generations will learn about the Air Force firefighter motto through the actions of those brave New York firefighters: Desire to serve, ability to perform, courage to act."