A 17,000-pound steel beam from the World Trade Center’s South Tower is visiting Cincinnati as part of Tunnel to Towers’ Steel Across America tour. The tour marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks, offering a rare opportunity for people away from Ground Zero to experience a piece of history.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation Chairman and CEO Frank Siller emphasized the importance of remembering the heroism and sacrifices made on 9/11. “Never forgetting the sacrifice and bravery of our nation’s heroes, as well as our lost loved ones, is a generational promise that every American can help keep,” Siller stated.
The 21-foot beam is part of a traveling memorial moving through the U.S. Former Marine Scott Nokes, alongside local firefighters, FDNY personnel, veterans, and first responders, brought the beam to the Cincinnati Fire Museum. Nokes, an ambassador and employee of Tunnel to Towers, shared his personal connection, saying, “I know firsthand what it means to have the Tunnel to Towers Foundation show up for you when you need it most. This foundation changes lives. It changed mine.” Nokes emphasized the importance of storytelling and honoring those lost on 9/11.
Scott Nokes, originally from New Jersey, served two tours in Afghanistan before transitioning to firefighting. In 2016, he faced severe health challenges, resulting in double below-the-knee amputation and legal blindness. Tunnel to Towers’ Smart Home Program provided Nokes with a mortgage-free, fully accessible smart home in December 2019, enabling greater independence in his daily life. Aside from representing Tunnel to Towers, Nokes mentors others through Neptune Emergency Services.
The tour includes a fitting ceremony featuring a color guard, bagpipes, and speeches from city and fire officials. Residents and visitors were invited to witness the piece during the event, which included a national anthem performance, moment of silence, and blessing of the steel.
After Cincinnati, the tour will proceed to notable locations such as the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Sept. 1, the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in Boston on Sept. 3, and conclude at the White House on Sept. 8. The memorial’s journey ends in New York City.
The foundation is committed to honoring the legacy of 343 FDNY firefighters who perished on 9/11 by providing 343 mortgage-free homes this year. These homes assist injured veterans and first responders, supporting their needs through fully accessible designs.