Steel Beam from World Trade Center Shown at Long Island Event
On Monday, a significant reminder of the past was displayed at the Long Island Education Center: steel beams from the collapsed South Tower of the World Trade Center. Hundreds of families, many in tears, gathered to visit this mobile memorial.
“We cannot forget,” said Rosemary Kane, mother of FDNY firefighter George Kane, who lost his life in the September 11 attacks, her voice trembling as she spoke.
Cain was overcome with emotion when she saw a 21-foot-long, 16,000-pound steel beam, which was escorted by a police pipe band on its way to the Michael P. Murphy Naval SEAL Museum in Suffolk County. This was part of a nationwide tour.
She fondly remembered her son as a “happy bachelor” and passionate skier who would have celebrated his 60th birthday next week if not for the tragedy in 2001.
George Kane was among the firefighters from Ladder 7 who died when the tower collapsed while rescuing people from the nearby Marriott Downtown Hotel.
“I sometimes feel like people forget and society forgets,” Cain expressed, highlighting her worries that the memories of that day are fading.
The beam was brought to Sayville by the Tunnel to Towers organization, which is running the Steel Across America tour, aiming to visit 35 locations over the coming weeks. The initiative seeks to remind the nation of the sacrifices made on the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
Frank Schiller, the founder of Tunnel to Towers, stressed the importance of honoring those who worked on the steel and the sacrifices made that day. “That’s what we want all across the country,” he emphasized.
For 25 years, Schiller and his organization have supported military and first responder families through charitable efforts, including paying off mortgages for families of fallen soldiers.
The Murphy Museum was the third stop on the newly launched tour, following visits to Ground Zero and Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island.
Stephen Schiller, Frank’s son, found the experience overwhelming. He lost his father when he was just a baby and now works full-time with Tunnel to Towers. Observing the long lines of people waiting to pay their respects deeply moved him.
“We are indebted to places like this,” he noted, expressing gratitude for the support from the Long Island community.
Chris Wylie, the executive director of the Murphy Museum and former SEAL, pointed out that September 11 holds significant meaning for the museum, as many visitors, including children, carry heavy memories of that day.
The legacy of Lieutenant Michael Murphy, a Medal of Honor recipient, was also honored at the event. He died in 2005 during Operation Red Wings and had a deep connection with the FDNY. His father, Dan, shared how his son wore an FDNY patch on every mission and visits Michael’s grave regularly to share news from the museum.
The beam will eventually make its way to the site of Flight 93’s crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a ceremony will take place on Thursday to honor the passengers who fought back against hijackers.
“When thousands see it, perhaps it will reignite a sense of patriotism and respect for that day,” Cain reflected, urging that such tragedies never happen again.
