World Trade Center Beam on Cross-Country Journey to New Home

Photo courtesy of Poudre Fire Website

Hundreds of service authorities, VFWs, Patriot Guard riders and veterans will spend days escorting a piece of American history across the country along Interstate 80 westbound from New York to Colorado.

A 5-foot long, 3,500-pound piece of a Word Trade Center beam is en route from JFK International Airport to its final home at a fire department in Fort Collins, set to arrive on Saturday, Oct. 24. The piece of steel was part of one of the trade center’s walls, and is one of the last pieces that is being given to a fire department.

The Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) of Colorado dispatched members of the Urban Search and Rescue Team of Colorado Task Force 1 to the World Trade Center collapse following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

“We had members that worked on the pile, said Kevin Housley, firefighter with Poudre Fire Authority (PFA). “It’s a very special piece, will be a special memorial.”

Four of the department’s members who responded that day flew to New York to witness the start of the beam’s journey Wednesday. Housley, who also helps lead nonprofit The Terry Fund, said for some, it was their first time returning to the state.

The Terry Fund was started in honor of Terry Farrell, a decorated member of Rescue 4/FDNY and chief of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department who died Sept. 11. The fund was established in his memory to assist firefighters and families across the nation with financial, educational and medical support, and to provide equipment donations for fire departments in need.

Housley said Farell’s brother was instrumental in bringing the beam back to Colorado.

As the transport team approaches Fort Collins, there will be a procession led by Poudre Fire Authority to one of the fire houses, where it will stay until a permanent memorial is built.

People are invited to share their thoughts, photos or experiences of the transport on social media, using the hashtag #PoudreFireWTCBeam. Anyone who witnesses the transport can also share photos on a community website.