A 21-foot steel beam from the South Tower of the World Trade Center has made its way to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. It serves as a tangible piece of the Sept. 11 attacks, connecting the institution with its history of training Army officers who served in subsequent wars.
The 16,900-pound beam arrived as part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Steel Across America tour, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the attacks. This was the 33rd stop on the tour.
“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, including generations of West Point graduates,” said Lt. Gen. James B. Bartholomees III, West Point Superintendent.
The ceremony included cadets, faculty, staff, and guests. It featured a color guard and Pipes & Drums procession by members of the NYPD, FDNY, and Port Authority Police Department. Attendees also experienced the national anthem, an invocation, and a moment of reflection with “Amazing Grace.”
Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and brother of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, shared his thoughts. He recounted how his brother ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel with 60 pounds of gear on Sept. 11.
“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,” Frank Siller said.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, created in Stephen Siller’s memory, supports families of fallen first responders and injured veterans through mortgage-free homes and adapted smart homes. It also addresses veteran homelessness.
The steel beam’s arrival at West Point emphasized the connection between first responders and service members deployed overseas following the attacks. Col. Dan Steuwe shared an image carried by many soldiers post-9/11, a symbol of unity between these heroes.
“It was one of the firemen handing off the American flag to a service member coming out of the rubble of the towers,” Steuwe recalled.
The event represented the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice following 9/11. Kelly Heffner, a Tunnel to Towers supporter, expressed emotion upon touching the beam. She described it as a powerful reminder of the need never to forget.
West Point received a commemorative steel flag featuring the New York City skyline and Twin Towers, incorporating World Trade Center steel. The flag symbolizes a commitment to the foundation’s mission.
After the formal program, attendees were invited to reflect beside the steel beam. The Steel Across America tour continues in Boston at the Fallen Heroes Memorial.