21-Foot Steel Beam From South Tower Arrives at West Point

A massive 21-foot steel beam, weighing nearly 17,000 pounds, arrived at West Point Tuesday. This heavy relic was pulled from the rubble of the South Tower on September 11 and now sits at the U.S. Military Academy. It marks a significant moment for an institution that trains Army officers who later served in conflicts sparked by those attacks.

The beam traveled to New York as part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's Steel Across America tour. This nationwide event commemorates the 25th anniversary of the tragedy. Tuesday marked the 33rd stop on this journey across the country.

Lt. Gen. James B. Bartholomees III, Superintendent at West Point, explained that the metal links the bravery of first responders on 9/11 with the soldiers who answered their call later. "As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this piece of steel reminds us of the courage of first responders like Stephen Siller and the countless Americans who answered the call in the years that followed," Bartholomees stated. He added that today's young men and women carry on that legacy of service, guided by duty, honor, and country.

The ceremony gathered cadets, faculty, staff, and guests to witness the event. A color guard opened the proceedings, followed by a pipe and drum procession from members of the NYPD, FDNY, and Port Authority Police Department. The program featured the national anthem, an invocation, a blessing for the steel, and a quiet moment of reflection set to "Amazing Grace."

Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of Tunnel to Towers and brother of fallen firefighter Stephen Siller, spoke about his brother's final moments. Twenty-five years ago, Stephen strapped on 60 pounds of gear and ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward danger. He moved toward duty and the people inside the towers who needed him most. "Twenty-five years ago, my brother Stephen strapped on 60 pounds of gear and ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward danger, duty and the people who needed him inside those towers," Siller said.

Frank continued by noting that values like duty, honor, and country connect West Point cadets with Stephen and first responders across the nation. "We are grateful to West Point for welcoming us, and we leave more committed than ever to making sure the sacrifice of September 11 is never forgotten." According to the foundation, Stephen Siller was off duty when the attacks began but still ran toward the World Trade Center carrying his equipment until he died responding to the crisis.

The foundation created in Stephen's memory helps mortgage-free homes for Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children. It also builds specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and works to end veteran homelessness. For those gathered Tuesday, the beam's arrival bridged the gap between first responders rushing toward the towers and service members deploying overseas in the years that followed.

Col. Dan Stuewe of the U.S. Army recalled a specific image many soldiers carried after 9/11 as they went to war. "There was a cartoon character that a lot of the soldiers in my platoon carried with us after 9-11 as we went overseas," Stuewe said.

A fireman once passed an American flag to a soldier emerging from the rubble of the towers, creating a powerful image of unity between first responders and service members protecting this country. Stuewe noted that such moments symbolize people serving something greater than themselves. Kelly Heffner, a supporter listed alongside her husband Tom by Tunnel to Towers, grew emotional after touching the South Tower beam. She explained that the steel holds an energy which brings you back and ensures you never forget what happened nearly 25 years ago. That timeline marks the period when attacks sent many American service members to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other theaters during the war on terror. After the formal program concluded at West Point, Bartholomees joined Siller to accept a commemorative steel flag on behalf of the academy. This custom-built piece displays the New York City skyline and Twin Towers while incorporating actual World Trade Center steel. Tunnel to Towers presents such flags to individuals or institutions showing commitment to their mission. Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to approach the beam and spend time reflecting beside the artifact. The Steel Across America tour will continue Thursday at the Fallen Heroes Memorial in Boston.