On May 2, Tunnel to Towers began its Steel Across America Tour — an unprecedented nationwide tour that will transport an authentic steel beam from the World Trade Center to communities across the United States.   

Traveling coast-to-coast through September 11, Steel Across America brings a 16,000-pound steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center to local communities across the country, offering the public a rare opportunity to experience this powerful and sacred artifact firsthand.

At the first event, the steel beam was ceremoniously received for the very first time in Lower Manhattan, steps away from the original World Trade Center site. Following the steel beam’s unveiling, Frank Siller was joined by his nephew, Stephen Siller Jr., the son of former FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001.  

The event concluded by bringing the steel through a walkway of 343 volunteer firefighters — each carrying a banner bearing the images, names and companies of the 343 FDNY members killed on that fateful day.  

Following the next two stops in Staten Island, New York, and Long Island, New York, the steel beam made its way to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on May 7.

The day’s events began with the Color Guard and Pipes & Drums Procession by the Pennsylvania State Police Department. Attendees joined together for a moment of silence, honoring the first responders and civilians lost at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93.   

Following the ceremony, local attendees were able to view the steel beam from the South Tower up close, hear and connect with first-hand stories of 9/11 from those who experienced it.