The firefighters of Local 1828 are raising money to construct a memorial to honor all victims of the World Trade Center.
The centerpiece of the memorial is a 1-ton steel I-beam recovered from Ground Zero.
The existing ‘Fallen Firefighter Memorial Park’ at Station 17 in downtown Edmonds will be enlarged and rebuilt to accommodate the 1-ton artifact.
This memorial will honor the nearly 3,000 people who died on that fateful day, including 343 firefighters and 60 police officers.
The acquisition of the 1-ton beam from Ground Zero was years in the making.
In the 11th hour, an agreement with the firefighters of Local 1828, the City of Edmonds, and SCFD1 satisfied the requirements of the Port Authority of New York.
A firefighter from Edmonds/SCFD1 flew to New York and, with the assistance of FDNY firefighters, shipped the artifact home.
“This 1-ton beam is one of the 1,117 artifacts from the World Trade Center released by the Port Authority of New York to be used in memorials across the nation,” Firefighter Dave ‘Bronco’ Erickson, said. “We feel very fortunate to have it.”
The steel I-beam can be seen at Fire Station 17, 275 6th Ave. N. in Edmonds. It is displayed on the West side of the apparatus bay in front of the antique fire engine.
“Our firefighters are tasked with raising the estimated $150,000 for the renovation and construction of this memorial,” Erickson said. “We are asking the citizens and businesses in our community to spread awareness and donate for the successful completion of our 9/11 memorial.”
Per Port Authority requirements, no tax dollars are allowed for the completion of this memorial. Therefore all construction costs will be made by individual, business, and corporate donations.
Tax deductible donations can be made through the Fire 1 Foundation, P.O. Box 12915, Everett WA 98206-2915.
