Lt. Gov Visits Toms River Fire House

Submitted by Ernest Landante, Jr., Lt. Governor's Office:   

Acting Governor Kim Guadagno visited the Township of Toms River [Saturday] to present a piece of original steel from the World Trade Center to the Toms River East Dover Fire Company. The section of steel I-beam will honor the memory of the victims of September 11, 2001 attacks.

"The memorial being created by the Toms River East Dover Fire Company will forever remind us of what happened on 9/11 and ensure that future generations appreciate how fortunate we are to live in freedom," said Acting Governor Guadagno. "This will be a special tribute to the brave and honorable first responders who were lost on 9/11 in selfless service to their fellow Americans."

Toms River lost two residents, Patricia M. Fagan and Robert C. Kennedy in the 9/11 attacks.

"On September 11th, two of our neighbors from Toms River never came home," said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni. "It is a sacred mission for the Port Authority to ensure what happened that day is never forgotten. We thank Toms River for partnering with us to create a poignant reminder."

During the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the attacks of September 11, 2001, artifacts were identified among the wreckage and preserved for their historical significance. Stored at Hanger 17 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, these artifacts include various pieces that have been cataloged by a professional curator to ensure they were kept as close as possible to their original condition.

The fire company plans to display steel on their grounds as a memorial to fallen emergency responders and all others who died in the attacks of 9/11.

A piece of World Trade Center steel was also placed at the Empty Sky Memorial at Liberty State Park, which was dedicated on September 10, 2011 in honor and memory of the 746 New Jerseyans that lost their lives on 9/11. Last March, a piece of steel, along with an urn of Trade Center dust and an American flag, was put on display in the Statehouse Rotunda for visitors to view.