MOUNT RUSHMORE, S.D. — Visitors gathered Tuesday morning at Mount Rushmore National Memorial to view and touch a 21-foot, 16,900-pound steel beam recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
The beam is traveling the country as part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Steel Across America tour, which commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The nationwide journey includes more than 35 stops across 21 states and spans roughly 10,000 miles.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was inspired by the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller, who was off duty when the attacks occurred. Unable to reach his unit, Siller carried his gear two miles through gridlocked traffic to the South Tower, where he died while helping others.
The nonprofit honors first responders and military families by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families and building specially adapted smart homes for injured veterans and first responders.
Following a ceremony at Mount Rushmore, attendees lined up to see and touch the steel beam, using the moment to remember the lives lost and reflect on the lasting impact of 9/11.
The tour began May 2 in Lower Manhattan and will conclude Sept. 11 at Ground Zero in New York.
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