A 21-foot steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center’s South Tower is traveling along the East Coast as part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Steel Across America tour. The 16,900-pound artifact will stop in Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and New York through Sept. 11, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Organizers say the tour will preserve the memory of 9/11 while honoring first responders and American service members. The beam previously visited the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and is scheduled for a final public appearance at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13.
| 1) | East Coast itinerary begins in Boston |
| 2) | Washington and New York events follow |
| 3) | West Point ceremony links generations of service |
| 4) | The beam carries the memory of the South Tower |
| 5) | Tour aims to educate and remember |
East Coast itinerary begins in Boston
The beam is moving through the Northeast during the week leading up to Sept. 11. On Wednesday night, it is scheduled to appear at Fenway Park during the Boston Red Sox game against the Seattle Mariners. On Thursday, it will travel to the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial, giving visitors another opportunity to see a physical remnant of the attacks and the service that followed.
The Boston stops are part of a broader tour that began earlier in 2026 to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. By bringing the beam to a sporting venue and a memorial site, organizers are reaching the public while honoring fallen service members.
Washington and New York events follow
After its Massachusetts appearances, the 16,900-pound beam will go to Washington, D.C., for a private event on Friday. It will then travel to Brooklyn for another private event in New York City on Sept. 11, the anniversary date of the attacks.
The schedule concludes with an appearance at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13, during the New York Giants’ game against the Dallas Cowboys. The itinerary places the artifact in settings connected to civic life, military service, remembrance, and professional sports.
West Point ceremony links generations of service
Before heading to Boston, the beam stopped at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Monday. Cadets, faculty, staff, guests, and first responders attended a ceremony with a color guard, a pipe and drum procession by members of the NYPD, FDNY, and Port Authority Police Department, the national anthem, an invocation, and a blessing of the steel.
The program also included a moment of reflection accompanied by “Amazing Grace.” Superintendent Lt. Gen. James B. Bartholomees III said the artifact connects the courage of first responders on 9/11 with Americans who later answered the call to serve, including generations of West Point graduates.
“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.”
The beam carries the memory of the South Tower
The artifact is a 21-foot section of structural steel recovered from the World Trade Center’s South Tower. Its size and weight make transportation a substantial undertaking, while its purpose is to provide a tangible connection to the buildings destroyed in the attacks and to those who responded.
Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and brother of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, recalled his brother’s actions on Sept. 11. Stephen Siller put on 60 pounds of gear and ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the World Trade Center, where he died while responding to the attacks.
“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.”
Tour aims to educate and remember
The Steel Across America tour was launched to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and recognize first responders and service members. The foundation has taken the beam to communities across the country, including Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota before its West Coast and East Coast movements.
Organizers say the tour is intended to educate younger generations about the attacks and the national response that followed. At West Point, Frank Siller said the foundation was grateful for the academy’s welcome and committed to ensuring that the sacrifice of Sept. 11 is not forgotten. The beam’s journey connects civilian communities, military personnel, and first responders.
| 1 | The beam is a 21-foot, 16,900-pound section recovered from the South Tower. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Stops include Fenway Park, the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial, Washington, D.C., and Brooklyn. |
| 3 | The tour commemorates the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. |
| 4 | A West Point ceremony connected first responders with later generations of military service. |
| 5 | The final listed appearance is scheduled for the Giants-Cowboys game at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13. |
Summary
A recovered South Tower beam is continuing its Steel Across America journey through the Northeast before and after the Sept. 11 anniversary. Its stops are designed to preserve the history of the attacks, honor those who responded, and help younger Americans understand the continuing legacy of 9/11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Steel Across America tour?
It is a Tunnel to Towers Foundation tour featuring a recovered South Tower beam to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and honor first responders and service members.
Where will the beam stop before Sept. 11?
Stops include Fenway Park and the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial, followed by private events in Washington, D.C., and Brooklyn.
What happens after the Sept. 11 appearance?
The beam is scheduled for a final appearance at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13 during the New York Giants’ game against the Dallas Cowboys.
