Piece of history from 9/11 to become Carson memorial

A 1,600-pound, twisted I-beam from the demolished World Trade Center arrived in Carson City on Wednesday after traveling six days across the country.

The beam will be used to create the Carson City World Trade Center Memorial intended "as a respectful public exhibit of an artifact from 9/11, which will serve as an educational forum dedicated to preserving the memory of those whose lives were lost" that day in 2001, said Jim Shirk, a member of the Carson City Cultural Commission who coordinated the acquisition.

A small contingent of officials, military personnel, iron workers and others gathered as the flatbed 18-wheeler pulled into the Parks and Recreation Department parking lot around noon Wednesday bearing the piece of steel, which was carefully unloaded with a forklift.

Mayor Bob Crowell said watching the beam being lowered off the truck brought back a lot of memories of 9/11.

"This will be a constant reminder that we need to be vigilant and remember those who died at the hands of those who would do us harm. To see that twisted piece of metal makes me think about how those people must have felt with all that falling down around them," Crowell said.

"It's more than just a piece of steel; it's a piece of history, and we need to remember that day," he said.

Ironworker Danny Costella examined the beam and pronounced that it was a load-bearing beam with Nelson shear connectors, indicating it had been used to secure concrete for the structure.

"We will be involved in the installation process, as volunteers," said Costella, a member of Reno Iron Workers Local 118. "This is a reverent thing for iron workers."

For Shirk, the arrival of the 10-foot-long by 27-inch-wide steel beam was an emotional experience.

"When I saw it, I couldn't bring myself to touch it, I was so in awe," he said.

"I remember watching - over and over again - like most people did, as the World Trade Center collapsed. I was thinking, 'What can I do?'' he said.

Then one day in October, Shirk was sitting in Starbucks sipping a cup of coffee and reading about how communities could get a piece of the debris from the wreckage.

"I was at the Board of Supervisors meeting the very next day and received letters of support from them as well as Fire Chief Stacey Giomi and Sheriff Ken Furlong," he said.

Within a week, the letter of request was mailed off to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

"It took months for a response, but every Tuesday I called somebody," he said. "I've gone through so many numbers and so many people."

There were a few other obstacles along the way, as well, he said. The original freight cost was $950, which he intended to pay all along, but the cost had increased to $1,600 nearly nine months after the initial request was mailed.

"My wife said, 'Let's just do this,' but when the mayor found out, he said, 'There will be a check here at the office. I'll make up the difference,'" Shirk said. "The mayor has been so supportive through this, and if a business or organization could reimburse him, I would appreciate that. He does so much for our city."

The beam will be stored until a suitable site can be approved by the board of supervisors for the memorial.

Shirk also said fundraisers and donations will pay for the memorial, and that no public funds will be involved. A contest will be held at a later date to seek an artist's rendering of a design for the monument.

"Innocent people lost their lives just for going to work that day, and they never came home. This way we can honor them and those who went in to help them," Shirk said.

"I want to help remind people that sometimes we take for granted the freedom we enjoy, and that this could happen to any one of us. It knew it was worth every moment of my time and every dime I spent, as soon as I saw it," he said.