Massive World Trade Center steel beam arrives at West Point, uniting 9/11 heroes with generation sent to war

A 21-foot steel beam recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center arrived at the U.S.

Military Academy at West Point Tuesday, bringing a physical piece of the Sept.

11 attacks to the institution that trained generations of Army officers who would go on to serve in the wars that followed.

The 16,900-pound beam was brought to West Point as part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Steel Across America tour, a nationwide commemoration marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Tuesday’s ceremony was the tour’s 33rd stop.

West Point Superintendent Lt.

Gen.

James B.

Bartholomees III said the steel connects the courage shown by first responders on 9/11 with the Americans who answered the call to serve in the years that followed.

"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," Bartholomees said.

"Today, young men and women continue that legacy of service, guided by Duty, Honor, Country." 9/11 STEEL BEAM ARRIVES AT FLORIDA SCHOOL WHERE BUSH LEARNED AMERICA WAS UNDER ATTACK The ceremony brought together cadets, faculty, staff and guests and opened with a color guard and Pipes & Drums procession by members of the NYPD, FDNY and Port Authority Police Department.

The program also included the national anthem, an invocation and blessing of the steel, and a moment of reflection accompanied by "Amazing Grace." BENJAMIN HALL TACKLES GRUELING ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER CLIMB ON PROSTHETIC LEGS TO HONOR FALLEN HEROES Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of Tunnel to Towers and the brother of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, recalled his brother’s final actions 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," Siller said.