Steel Across America: Tunnel to Towers Foundation Commemorates 25 Years Since 9/11 at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver, CO.  

The tour will next visit the National WW1 Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri on August 5th 

DENVER, COLORADO [August 1, 2026] — On Saturday, August 1st, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation brought its Steel Across America tour to the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver, CO for its twenty-seventh 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 museum, which is housed in Hangar 1 of the former Lowry Air Force Base in eastern Denver, was a fitting host. Transferred from the U.S. Air Force to a group of volunteers in 1994, it now serves as Colorado’s official air and space museum. When operational, the base graduated more than 1.1 million enlisted members and officers across World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War. 

Retired FDNY Battalion Commander and Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member Jack Oehm hosted the ceremony, welcoming guests and guiding the program. Proceedings opened with a Color Guard and Pipes and Drums procession, followed by the national anthem. Deacon Ernie Martinez then delivered the invocation and blessing of the steel. Oehm returned to retire the colors and deliver opening remarks on the significance of the steel and the tour’s mission before introducing the morning’s speakers.  

Oehm shared his personal story of service and sacrifice, offering attendees a powerful and firsthand reminder of the men and women whose dedication and courage the Steel Across America tour is dedicated to honoring. Oehm’s remarks drew a direct line between the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the enduring memory of that day, the time that has passed since, and all of the lives we lost which remain in our hearts and minds. 

Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member Anthony Lacorazza followed with acknowledgments, recognizing the sponsors, supporters, dignitaries, and community partners whose generosity makes the Foundation’s work possible. He also shared his personal experience on 9/11 as a law enforcement officer, and how his service to first responders continues to present day. 

Wings Over the Rockies President and CEO David Dickerson welcomed the Foundation and spoke to the significance of hosting Steel Across America at a museum dedicated to honoring the courage and sacrifice of those who have served. 

Dickerson said at the event: “I am deeply honored the Tunnel to Towers Foundation chose Wings Over the Rockies as a stop on the ‘Steel Across America’ tour. It is a great privilege to have these artifacts here with us, and to hear the stories behind them. Just like the aircraft that surround us here on our Museum’s floor today, these artifacts stand as a solemn salute to courage. And – I can whole heartedly promise it is a level of courage that we will, indeed, Never Forget.” 

Stephen Siller Jr., son of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, then took the stage to deliver remarks, speaking to the significance of bringing the World Trade Center steel to Denver and to a community that has long honored the service and sacrifice of those who protect this nation. Surrounded by aircraft and artifacts that tell the story of American courage across generations, Siller Jr. reflected on what it means to carry his father’s legacy from city to city and to stand before communities across the country who continue to answer the call to Never Forget. 

“My father ran toward danger because he lived his life in service all the time. That same spirit is what carried a generation forward,” said Siller. “In the years since 9/11, so many young men and women looked at what happened that day and decided they wanted to serve something bigger than themselves. Every time we bring this steel to a new city, we’re reminded that his legacy, and the legacy of everyone we lost that day, didn’t end, it multiplied.” 

Oehm and Siller Jr. then presented Dickerson with a commemorative steel flag on behalf of the Foundation. The flag is a custom-built tribute featuring the New York City skyline with the Twin Towers standing tall, incorporating original World Trade Center steel, and is presented only to those who demonstrate honorable dedication to the work and mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. 

The formal ceremony was brought to a close and the steel beam was made available for viewing and reflection. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation welcomed all guests to explore the museum’s remarkable collection of aircraft, space vehicles, and military artifacts.   

On Wednesday, August 5^th the Steel Across America will make its next official stop at the National WW1 Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. 

For the Steel Across America tour route, dates and more information click here.