9/11 Heart of Steel Arrives in Wilmington

A piece of history will be residing in the City of Wilmington Fire Department starting on August 31, 2013 at Fire Station 1 at 2nd and West Streets in Wilmington.

The history reflects growing support for men and women who served their country and those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

A portion of steel from the World Trade Center will be here locally as part of a 22-stop ride from Atlanta to New York City. The ride is sponsored by Bikers for America’s Bravest.

The “Heart of Steel,” as the piece is called, will be housed in each of the City's 6 Fire Stations and at Fire Headquarters for 1 day. The 9/11 Heart of Steel will be escorted to the Mayors Office and City Council Office for Viewing of the City Leadership.

Bikers for America’s Bravest is a fundraiser for “smart homes” built by Tunnels to Tower Foundation, which helps build homes that are specially designed for “the most catastrophically injured American service members.”

The homes are built to be adaptive for those who have lost multiple limbs. Bikers for America’s Bravest is using this multi-state ride as a way to help gain support.

The 9/11 Heart of Steel piece is small, about 2-feet by 2-feet, since it has to be moved by motorcycle. It is steel though, so it is heavy.

The fire department is working on finalizing what events will happen in conjunction with the steel coming to town but the steel will be escorted from Wilmington to Philadelphia on September 7th from in front of Frawley Stadium. The 9/11 Heart of Steels departure from Wilmington will be a part of festivities in conjunction with the Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Wilmington Hero's Run/Walk 5k. 

The main draw for deciding to house the monument was to “further the cause” of Bikers for America’s Bravest and Tunnel to Towers, the other organization involved with the ride.

Each stop on the journey will be made at fire stations to honor those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks.

Chief Anthony Goode will be promoting the presence of the 9/11 Heart of Steel all week and hopes the public will be able to come out and see the Heart of Steel for themselves. 

He said this will give residents a chance to view a piece of history up close and personal, which many people don’t get a chance to do. It also gives us all a chance to support all of those who have risked it all to provide us with a blanket of security to sleep under at night.

Mayor Dennis P. Williams said "The City of Wilmington is honored to support these foundations and to be a part of this historic remembrance!"