It took almost two years, but the Wanaque First Aid Squad finally has a piece of history that is a piece of steel from the fallen Twin Towers. Through research, it was learned that the piece of steel came from an elevator shaft of the North Tower.
It was a bittersweet memory for many people on the afternoon of March 20. Sirens pierced the air as emergency vehicles drove through town transporting the piece of steel to the Wanaque First Aid Squad building, where the ceremony was held. People I talked to said that the ceremony reminded them of where they were and what they were doing when they learned about the WTC attacks. The same people said they have pride that Wanaque was able to get a hold of the historical artifact.
The steel is 281 pounds and 66 inches long — the size of a very huge man.
A Wanaque resident, who lost his son in the 9/11 attacks, led the crowd through the Pledge of Allegiance at the ceremony. Two in-town clergymen blessed the piece of steel.
The piece of steel will be on display at the First Aid Squad building until Sept. 10. Afterward, it will be the centerpiece of a 9/11 ceremony, then be moved to its permanent home as part of a memorial outside the First Aid Squad building.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey received 1,500 requests for pieces of World Trade Center steel, according to a Port Authority spokesman. Around 1,040 of those requests were granted.