Almost 25 years to the day of one of the most tragic events in modern times, a piece of steel recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center traveled its way to the mid-Hudson Valley through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Steel Across America National Tour on Sept. 1 at the U.S. Army Garrison West Point Visitors Control Center.
As part of a five-month tour of the United States, this voyaging monument honors the lives of the 2,977 innocent people who perished on 9/11, the brave heroes who sacrificed their lives to help save as many as they could in the burning towers prior to their collapse, the many Americans who have served this nation and the more than 7,000 military members who made the ultimate sacrifice since Sept. 11, 2001, during the Global War on Terrorism.
With the tour completing its cross-country mission on Sept. 11 in New York City to commemorate the 25 years since that fateful day, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation made a stop to the U.S. Military Academy to highlight the academy’s enduring role in shaping leaders of character who embody service and sacrifice.
Hundreds of spectators braved the dreary elements of the day to view the steel and observe the hourlong remembrance ceremony.
The ceremony commenced with the U.S. Military Academy Military Police Color Guard presenting the colors alongside members of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), followed by the national anthem and an invocation by U.S. Army Garrison West Point Chaplain Maj. Pawel Zemczak.
“As this steel from the World Trade Center comes to West Point, help us remember the lives taken from us 25 years ago, the families who continue to carry their loss, and the first responders, service members and ordinary citizens who answered tragedy with extraordinary courage,” Zemczak said to the attendees. “May the steel, once part of a great structure and now a witness carried across America, remind us that our nation is strongest when we stand together.”
Zemczak spoke of renewed purpose through the memories of those lost, turning grief into compassionate service, employing our love of country into a steadfast commitment to justice, peace and a better future.
He expressed hope that the steel beam would inspire the Corps of Cadets and all who serve to “lead with integrity, defend the dignity of every person and place the needs of others before their own.”
“May we never forget, and may our remembrance always lead us to lives of service,” Zemczak concluded in his remarks.
During the introduction message, attendees were reminded of the bravery of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who was off-duty and on his way to a golf outing when he heard about the planes hitting the Twin Towers and turned around toward danger to help. Siller was among 343 FDNY members, three New York State court officers, 23 NYPD officers and 37 Port Authority police officers who lost their lives that day.
“As an enduring tribute to their sacrifice, the World Trade Center steel remains sacred to our foundation, to all 9/11 families, and the city of New York and the entire nation,” were among the words said in the introduction.
The event’s first speaker was Sal Cassano, a Vietnam veteran who served 45 years with the FDNY and is an executive board member of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Cassano began Sept. 11, 2001, as a citywide tour commander but ended the day as the FDNY chief of operations following the devastating loss of many of the department’s senior leaders.
Despite the devastating losses of Sept. 11, Cassano reflected on the extraordinary response that followed, calling it “the greatest rescue and recovery effort in human history.”
First responders worked 24-hour shifts for months sifting through the rubble to find survivors and remains while facing life-threatening hazards and toxic air quality conditions.
More than 175,000 tons of steel slammed to the ground on 9/11, and the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey salvaged as much as they could to distribute to firehouses and memorials throughout the country.
One of the pieces entrusted to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a piece from the South Tower that extends over 21 feet in length and weighs over 16,000 pounds.
“Now an artifact, this beam connects souls and a tower full of voices, laughter and everyday life,” Cassano said. “It is a memory of a clear morning turned into unimaginable darkness. It’s the echo of sirens and screams, but carries the weight of silence. It lies beaten and scarred, reminding us of the damage it caused to a city and a nation.
“Ingrained in it are many of the souls that we lost,” he added. “Let it be a physical representation of what we mean when we say – we will never forget.”
Cassano asked for every first responder and veteran to stand to be recognized during his speech. Among the standing were four Medal of Honor recipients – Patrick Brady, Joe Marm, Terry Richardson and Kenneth David – from the Vietnam War who were visiting West Point for an American Airlines Valor Flight the same day.
Overall, Cassano expressed how special it was to be at the hallowed grounds of West Point knowing its historic meaning during the Revolutionary War during the year of America’s 250th anniversary, and then the humbling experience of traveling across the country with the hallowed steel.
“The Steel Across America tour allows the Tunnel for Towers Foundation a unique opportunity to commemorate, educate and bring awareness to our country,” Cassano said. “This five-month tour is critical to our remembrance, and we are grateful to West Point for hosting us on our journey.
“They have opened their doors and their hearts to our foundation,” he added. “We thank them sincerely for supporting our mission … this is a perfect synergy between West Point, the sacrifices of veterans and the sacrifices of the first responders at the World Trade Center. It’s such an honor to be here today.”
During his speech, West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. James Bartholomees noted how truly humbled he was to stand before everyone on such a solemn occasion. He spoke about his experience jumping into Iraq in 2003 with the 75th Ranger Regiment and recalled serving with many who jumped into Afghanistan in the days and months following 9/11 wearing FDNY scrolled on the back of their Kevlar helmets.
“In many ways, this is a full circle moment for me to tie the heroism of so many that gave so much on that tragic day to connect to the Soldiers and the leaders who were commissioned out of the U.S. Military Academy to lead our Soldiers in harm’s way to avenge the deaths of so many,” Bartholomees said. “I can’t thank you enough, Sal, for your leadership under fire and absolute courage.”
Bartholomees recognized Frank Siller, the Tunnel of Towers Foundation Chairman and CEO, for his leadership honoring his brother, Stephen, with the foundation to honor his memory and all those intertwined with the 9/11 tragedy.
“Bringing this exhibit and piece of steel to West Point, this remembrance that we will never forget,” Bartholomees remarked, “and remembering all the veterans, first responders, military families, your work, their work of this great foundation ensures that the legacy of sacrifice and service will continue to inspire future generations.”
Bartholomees also recognized the Medal of Honor recipients of a prior generation who continue to inspire us today.
“We recognize your incredible courage under fire,” Bartholomees said. “Your presence reminds us that heroism springs from the hearts of great Americans who display gallantry and physical courage beyond the call of duty.
“It reminds us of President Calvin Coolidge’s counsel, in which he said, ‘The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten,’” he added. “May we never forget those who greatly exemplify the defense of our nation.”
After a round of applause for the Medal of Honor recipients, Bartholomees reflected on the significance of the World Trade Center steel as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
“This piece of steel from the World Trade Center serves as a tangible connection to a day that changed the 21st century – a solemn reminder of the tragic events and the thousands of lives lost,” he stated. “It also provides a symbol of resilience, of resolve, and an unbreakable spirit of the American people. President George W. Bush stated on that day that ‘we responded to the worst of human nature with the very best of America.’”
Bartholomees said it reminds everyone of the selfless service and sacrifice displayed by many, including Stephen Siller, who “ran toward danger when others ran away.”
“It also reminds us of those who answered the call in the days, months and years that followed to include decades of West Point graduates who continue to choose to stand in the gap for our freedoms that we so deeply cherish,” Bartholomees explained. “Nearly a generation later, the young men and women who represent the best of America continue to step forward to serve, most born after these tragic events occurred. They all have a common purpose, a love of country, and the ideals that define our military academy – Duty, Honor, Country.”
Bartholomees concluded by reflecting on the steel as a lasting reminder of those lost on 9/11, those who answered the call in the years that followed, and the importance of carrying their legacy forward.
“We must continue to tell their stories, to preserve the feeling of unity that brought us together after the 9/11 attacks, lest we forget and fall into complacency and ambivalence,” Bartholomees said. “We must strengthen the communities that we lead, supporting those we serve, and standing up for the values that unite us as Americans.
“May this exhibit remind us why we serve, inspire us to carry forward the legacy of those who sacrificed, and commit to ensure our future generations never forget … much like our Army motto, ‘This We’ll Defend,’” he concluded.
| Date Taken: |
09.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
09.11.2026 08:47 |
| Story ID: |
574390 |
| Location: |
WEST POINT, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: |
38 |
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This work, West Point hosts Steel Across America, honors heroes and those who perished on 9/11, by Eric Bartelt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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