Steel Across America: Tunnel to Towers Foundation Commemorates 25 Years Since 9/11 at Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in Boston, MA 

 The tour will next visit the White House in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, September 8^th at 10:00 AM 

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS [September 3, 2026] — On Wednesday, September 3rd, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation brought its Steel Across America tour to the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in Boston’s Seaport for its thirty-eighth event. The nationwide tour, honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11, features a 21-foot, 16,900-pound steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center’s South Tower. 

The steel beam arrived onsite ahead of the morning ceremony, and doors opened to welcome veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, and community members eager to experience this sacred artifact firsthand. 

Retired FDNY Battalion Chief and Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member Joe LaPointe welcomed guests and guided the day’s proceedings. The ceremony opened with a joint Color Guard presentation featuring the FDNY, NYPD, PAPD, Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, and Massachusetts State Police, followed by a Pipes & Drums procession performed by the Boston Police Department Gaelic Column. Boston Police Officer Stephen McNulty performed the national anthem, and Boston PD/FD Chaplain Grand Rabbi Y.A. Korff delivered the invocation and blessing of the steel. LaPointe then introduced the steel beam and its significance, led the audience in a moment of silence, and retired the colors before delivering opening and personal remarks. 

LaPointe then introduced General President Edward A. Kelly of the International Association of Firefighters, who spoke to the significance of the day and the enduring bond among firefighters across the nation in honoring those lost on September 11th. 

Boston Police Department Superintendent Robert Ciccolo followed with remarks, reflecting on the shared sacrifice of law enforcement and first responders and the importance of bringing the World Trade Center steel to Boston. 

LaPointe returned to the stage to deliver acknowledgments, recognizing the sponsors, supporters, dignitaries, and community partners whose generosity and dedication made the day’s events possible, before Dan Magoon, Executive Director of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, led remarks. 

“It is a tremendous honor to host Tunnel to Towers’ Steel Across America Tour at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in Boston’s Seaport. This collaboration comes full circle. As a proud partner of Tunnel to Towers, Massachusetts Fallen Heroes has witnessed first hand the impact of the T2T mission in supporting Gold Star families and veterans across our Commonwealth,” Dan Magoon, Executive Director of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes. “As a group Founded by first responders and post-9/11 veterans, we exist to make sure their sacrifice is never forgotten. As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11th, we pay tribute to all those we lost on that fateful day—and to every hero who gave their life in the wars that followed to protect America.” 

Jack Kielty, FDNY Lieutenant and Tunnel to Towers Board Member, then spoke of the importance of remembering those who served during and after 9/11. 

Scott Nokes, US Marine Corps Corporal and a Tunnel to Towers Foundation smart-home recipient, shared his personal story and the impact of the Foundation’s mission on his life and his motivation to contribute to the Foundation’s work to help others like himself. 

Kelly, Magoon, and LaPointe joined together on stage for a special Steel Flag presentation. LaPointe explained that the custom-build tribute features the New York City skyline with the Twin Towers standing tall. The flag incorporates an original World Trade Center piece of steel, and is presented only to those who demonstrate honorable dedication to the work and mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. 

LaPointe delivered closing remarks, thanking attendees for joining the tour stop and reminding them of the shared responsibility to ensure the sacrifices made on September 11th are never forgotten. 

The steel beam was made available for viewing and reflection, allowing all guests the opportunity to approach and pay their respects. Guests enjoyed lunch courtesy of the T2T Mobile Kitchen and a performance by Noah Jackson, and were invited to explore the 9/11 Mobile Exhibit, which opened following the formal program. 

The steel is an everlasting reminder of the selfless courage and service of first responders who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, including New York City firefighter Stephen Siller. Recovered from Ground Zero in the days following the attacks by the thousands of first responders who answered the call, the beam stands as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and the unbreakable American spirit that emerged from tragedy. 

On Tuesday, September 8th, Steel Across America will make its next official stop at the White House in Washington, D.C.