Reporting Gigi Barnett
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) — A Towson fire company received a piece of the World Trade Center this weekend. It’s in honor of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Gigi Barnett reports firefighters hope it inspires future generations of first responders.
A 10-foot section of steel was hand-delivered from New York, directly from the World Trade Center. Firefighters from Providence Volunteer Company in Towson asked for it and got it.
“We’re really honored that it is this kind of beam because it will be a lot easier for us to display,” said Providence Volunteer Fire Company Vice President Garry Zour.
Zour worked for a year and a half negotiating with federal officials for the beam. Approval finally came in February.
The Providence Volunteer Fire company was one of hundreds nationwide trying to get a piece of the World Trade Center.
“When we picked up the beam, there were fire departments from Virginia, New York State and Ohio,” Zour said.
It’s a piece of history Providence firefighters hope will shape their future.
“For the future generations that are going to be fighting fires long after I’m gone—that’s what it’s about,” Zour said.
Nearly 350 firefighters and paramedics died on Sept. 11. The beam still has small signs of the attack. Zour says it’s just a hint of the dangers firefighters see every day.
“It’s about the brotherhood. It’s about saving people. You don’t think about what you’re going to do, what you’re going to run up against. You just answer the call,” Zour said.
Now that the beam is here, there’s still some work that needs to be done. It has to be prepped and mounted, all for a special dedication of this year, the tenth anniversary of the attacks.
The fire company also plans to dedicate a new $750,000 truck at that ceremony.
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14 Comments
353 firefighters died in 9/11 and who ever wrote this said nearly 250 firefighters i mean can you get anymore stuipd
April 10, 2011 at 1:33 pm | | Report comment
sorry 343
April 10, 2011 at 1:34 pm | | Report comment
Hey chris, the article says nearly 350, not 250. Please read a little more carefully. Thanks
April 10, 2011 at 6:20 pm | | Report comment
hey zac before you go and say anything to chris i seen what time you posted your comment at 6:20 when chris seen it and every body at my station seen it around 1:20 it said 250
April 10, 2011 at 7:04 pm | | Report comment
Zac thanks for pointing that out to me i chould of swore i seen 250 maybe I did maybe I Didn’t but I know for a fact other people seen it I point it other to co-workers ar my firestation but i was in the process of writeing reports but thanks anyways for pointing it out thanks bud no hard feelings
April 10, 2011 at 7:18 pm
pointed it out to co-workers sorry
April 10, 2011 at 7:19 pm
oh yeah and zac everybody at my firestation seen it to so chris wasent makeing anything up
April 10, 2011 at 7:02 pm | | Report comment
I never said he was. I saw 350 and as a professional courtesy I pointed it out and as I now read he said thank you. Chris just trying to help you out. Everyone else. . .relax
April 10, 2011 at 8:44 pm | | Report comment
Who gives a f…..k u a…holes?…Now pick up your marbles & go home like good little boys.
April 10, 2011 at 9:24 pm | | Report comment
who cares the exact #.. it’s the point that lives were lost and they were first responders. & ty first responders for what u do.
April 10, 2011 at 10:41 pm | | Report comment
The Trade Center steel beam isn’t just about the police and fighters that perished that horrific day, its about the 2700 other victims that were lost.
Take a step back and hug your parents, your brothers and sisters. Now imagine them going to work one one day never to walk this earth again. That’s the symbolism behind the World Trade Center steel, all that perished that on 9-11-2001.
Yes, I was a firefighter, I drove the first due engine to many a working house fire, tagged the first hydrant, and stood by operating the pump. I’ve donned many a SCBA and climbed the aerial ladder to vent the roof, or aid a victim down from a precarious perch.
I wasn’t in NYC on 9-11, but my father, a civilian was. He was a hardworking American, the father of a volunteer firefighter, who went to work just a many thousand others did that Tuesday. My father perished in a stairwell in Tower 1 with many others, some wearing suits, others in dresses, a smaller percentage in turn out gear, and even fewer in blue uniforms – it doesn’t matter what you were wearing that day – everyone had a family that would grieve for them. As a united people, do not lose sight of the losses that day. Everyone who perished that day, regardless of religion, race, or occupation is to be remembered as a hero. The World Trade Center steel is a reminder of the heros, whether in Washington DC, Shenksville, PA, or NYC.
I’ll always defend you honor!!
Proud to be your son.
MEK
Baltimore, MD
April 10, 2011 at 11:39 pm | | Report comment
a piece here and a piece there how many does this make
April 11, 2011 at 7:12 am | | Report comment
they should test it for thermite. inside job! inside job!
April 11, 2011 at 10:12 pm | | Report comment
In honor of those lost on 9-11 MEK
I am sure your dad was just as proud to be your dad as you are to be his son, if not more.
And others: Damn right the number matters and needs to be correct. Every single person in that disaster matters to me and to to their families. GOD Bless them and their families always and forever.
April 11, 2011 at 10:24 pm | | Report comment