WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ, Oct 6, 2012 - A piece of steel beam taken from the rubble of the World Trade Center following the terrorist attacks 11 years ago was received at the South Wall Firehouse Tuesday.

    Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, along with federal, state, county and municipal officials, joined members of the fire department to accept the steel beam, which is destined to be the centerpiece of a memorial at the firehouse, officials said.

    “The South Wall Fire Company is extremely honored to have this ceremony here today,’’ said Ralph Tancredi, fire company vice president. “We are going to make this a permanent fixture here. We’re going to have a memorial set up, for the whole Township of Wall to enjoy.’’

    Mayor Jeffrey Foster, Township Committeeman Todd Luttman, Freeholder Director John Curley, Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso, along with Assemblyman Dave Rible and U.S. Rep. Christopher H. Smith attended the ceremony.

    Officials remarked on the horror of the attacks of 9/11/01, but stressed the courage of the first responders who ran into the burning buildings as people were running out.

    “This piece of steel does represent a symbol of the loss of life, but also of the heroism that was on display for all to see around the world,’’ U.S. Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-NJ, said.

    Calling the steel beam evidence of a crime scene, Guadagno also said the piece of beam delivered Tuesday also was a symbol of courage.

    “It’s evidence of everything that is good about this country,’’ Guadagno said. “That people believe, even in this day and age, that there is something more important than themselves – that there’s something worth dying for.’’

    Tancredi said donations to support a permanent 9-11 memorial to include the steel beam at the South Wall Firehouse grounds can be delivered to the firehouse or sent to:

South Wall Firehouse
P.O.Box 69
Allenwood, NJ 08720

Please make checks payable to South Wall Fire & Rescue 9-11 Memorial Fund.

Original Patch publication can be viewed at:
http://wall.patch.com/articles/world-trade-center-steel-delivered-to-south-wall-firehouse