On September 9, 2009 a letter was written to the Executive Director of the Port Authority of NY & NJ requesting steel from the World Trade Center disaster to be used for a public memorial. The thought at the time was to ask for two small four foot pieces which might be placed upright in front of the flagpole at HQ. On May 3, 2011 we were notified that Mohegan had been approved and that we could schedule the pickup of the steel we had requested. Mohegan Firefighters and EMS personnel assembled on 5/13/2011 and departed Headquarters at 0730am enroute to Hangar 17 at JFK airport to effect the pick-up. The two steel pieces each weigh 450 pounds and their dimensions are approx. 48"L x 39"W x 26"H x 1" thick. Apparatus making the trip from HQ were Utility 69 (to carry the steel), Car 2261, Utility 50, and 6905. The trip through heavy New York City rush-hour traffic was eased by the NYPD escort. After arriving at JFK, members were permitted inside Hangar 17, which is where much of the artifacts from 9/11 are stored. Huge twisted steel girders, giant electric elevator motors and bicycles still covered in the dust of that day were evident. U-69 was brought around to the side of the hangar where Port Authority employees loaded the beams into the bed of the pick-up. They were respectfully covered with an American flag. A few photos were taken to preserve the moment and we headed home to Mohegan. Our NYPD escort dropped off as we left the city and we were met on the Taconic State Parkway with an escort from Yorktown PD. We exited the TSP westbound on Route 202 where we were joined by Engine 252. North on Lexington Ave then East on Route 6, where we were joined by 69B3 to our destination at the Jefferson Valley firehouse. The Yorktown Highway Department sent a "front-end loader" to lift the steel from our truck and place it in front of the flagpole at JV station. The equipment operator handled the 900 pounds in an almost gentle manner. There were a number of people, including members of the press, waiting at JV station and Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners Dave Zugner made brief remarks thanking all those involved in the effort. Several people were involved in coordinating aspects of the day's event: special thanks to Commissioner Dave Zugner, Commissioner Bob Gordineer, Chief Brian Wolert, Captain Lou Barbieri, Deputy Chief Barry Brown, and Lieutenant Chris Gravius.
Photo credits: Gus Stretz & Steve Yagoda
