Steel beam from WTC arrives in Hewlett

Members of the Hewlett Bat Fire District picked up a pick up a steel beam from the World Trade Center at JFK Airport on Oct. 2.
“While we were all affected by the terrible events of Sept. 11th, we have many members of our department that work for the NY Fire Department and most of them were at Ground Zero,” Commissioner Mark Lorberbaum. said. “We felt it was important for our membership to honor all the people who perished that day.”
The Hewlett Bay Fire District first contacted the Port Authority of NY & NJ in September 2011. “The Port Authority is very selective in dealing with their requests for artifacts from the World Trade Center,” Lorberbaum said. “It’s a long and lengthy process of interviews and background checks to make sure the steel is used only for memorials. They want to make sure these artifacts are preserved with honor and dignity.”
A memorial is planned for the steel beam and will include the large brass bell, that used to notify members that there was an emergency, which sat on top of the Hewlett Bay Fire District when it was founded in 1891.
“The men and women of the Hewlett Bay Fire District are all volunteers who dedicate countless hours to protect our community,” Lorberbaum said. “This memorial is to honor all past and current members who serve our community.”