World Trade Center remnant finds new home at Rochester Fire Department

ROCHESTER — Twenty-two years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a piece of steel from the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City has found a permanent home at Heroes’ Point at the Rochester Fire Station.

Heroes’ Point, officials said, was designed to be a peaceful and respectful place of honor and reflection for the community. The monument — which has space for community gatherings, dedications and announcements — includes benches, a fountain, four pollinator gardens, engraved bricks, and now, a piece of steel from the south tower, recovered after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

The steel remnant was donated to Rita Duff, a member of the Rochester Fire Department. Duff has a great-grandfather who served as a division chief with the New York City Fire Department in 1899, another who served as a New York Police Department officer, and first cousins who served on 9/11 with the NYPD. She received the gift after sharing her family’s long history of service with a firefighter from the FDNY during training in New York.

The community gathered to pay tribute to first responders and others who risked their lives to keep people safe during 9/11 at a remembrance ceremony and dedication of the twin towers steel installation at the fire station Sept. 11, 2023.

Rochester Fire Chief John Cieslik said the steel remnant was mounted to granite that was purchased by the family of Hugh and Nancy Elliott as a part of their ongoing commitment to bringing the Heroes’ Point Project to fruition.

“We are very proud that the twin tower steel is finally in its place of honor in Heroes’ Point,” Cieslik said. “It’s a lovely place that they gave to the city and to the residents.”

Nearly 3,000 people, crew members, firefighters, paramedics and police officers lost their lives and another 6,000 were injured on 9/11 after hijackers took over four U.S. airplanes and flew them into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon outside of Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania.

“It’s been 22 years since that attack on that day, and you know what? It’s easy to forget things like that, that happened so long ago, but we must never forget,” Rochester Mayor Stuart Bikson said. “We must never forget the victims of that; we must never forget the first responders who gave their lives trying to help others. We must never forget the men and women of our military, who around the world are keeping us safe.”

Sept. 11 has been officially designated by Congress as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Bikson said he chooses to remember the heroes of that day.

“I choose to remember the people who risked their lives to help others. …  I choose to remember that good people triumph,” he said.

The community can still assist in supporting Heroes’ Point. Donations can be made at any financial level by individuals, families, neighborhoods or organizations. Engraved brick pavers can be purchased, and there are also opportunities for sponsorships and engravings.

The Rochester Fire Station is located at 277 E. Second St. in downtown Rochester. For more information, call the fire station at (248) 651-4470 or visit www.rochestermi.org/fire.