World Trade Center Beam Honors Memory of Tragic Day

A beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center was recently received by the fire department and will be unveiled in a ceremony on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  

While doing some research online, Fire Chief Mike Garrahy applied for the town to receive the beam during the fall 2009. The fire department received approval of their application in February of this year.

The metal beam, which weighs about 160 pounds, was picked up by the fire department in May and was going to be an exhibit in the Rocky Hill Firefighters Museum. But, after seeing the 9 ½ feet long and 2 ½ feet wide piece of steel, Garrahy knew that it should be displayed on its own.

After receiving approval from the town manager, construction began on memorial between the police and fire departments on Old Main Street.

The memorial will have two concrete bases. One will represent the North Tower where the beam will be placed and a 33 feet long flagpole will be on the South Tower base. Three benches will surround the memorial.

“I can’t think of a better place for it,” Garrahy said. “It just fits.”

According to the Port Authority, the damage to the piece was caused by the collapse and not by fire.

“It was cold, crushing damage,” Garrahy said. It is unclear where in the tower the piece of steel was located.

Rocky Hill firefighters were on a waiting list to go to Ground Zero, but they were never called. 

“I think having a piece of the World Trade Center allows us to honor the memory of that tragic day,” Garrahy said. 

A ceremony will be held on the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Center Attacks on Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at the scene of the memorial.