James Dean Florida Today
2:12 p.m.: A steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center after the September 11 terrorist attacks was expected to be installed at a Kennedy Space Center fire station’s 9/11 memorial this afternoon.
The procession through Brevard County, following a seven-foot, one-ton I-beam from the World Trade Center as the group made its way to at Kennedy Space Center. Photo Malcolm Denemark Florida Today
KSC firefighters drove the nearly 2,000-pound beam up from Miami, arriving in Brevard County around 12:30 p.m. The pickup truck carrying the crated beam exited Interstate 95 at the Pineda Causeway and continued north on U.S. 1 up to State Road 405, escorted by sheriff’s deputies and dozens of motorcyclists.
Fire trucks, some with ladders extended and flying American flags, were positioned along the route. Some residents waited on the roadside to see the beam pass, and cars honked horns.
The journey paused near the Astronaut Hall of Fame for a blessing ceremony and photo opportunity for the firefighters and a small crowd of onlookers.
“Receiving this beam from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is an absolute honor, and we cannot thank them enough for what’s been bestowed upon us,” said Lt. James Dumont of KSC Fire Rescue. “We’re truly honored and we’re going to continue to honor this piece as the most solemn object that we have, and it’s a constant reminder of what happened on September 11, 2001.”
Check back for more details from space reporter James Dean.
1:12 p.m.: The procession is north of State Road 528.
1:01 p.m.: The motorcade is north of State Road 520 in Cocoa, heading along U.S. 1 to State Road 405 in Titusville.
12:47 p.m.: By motorcycle escort, the 9/11 beam procession is traveling on U.S. 1 toward Rockledge, having just passed Florida Today.
Update, 12:30 p.m.: The procession has not yet reached Suntree Boulevard and U.S. 1 on the trek to Kennedy Space Center.
Reporter James Dean is standing by to report when the 9/11 beam moves along the route this afternoon.
Original story:
Completing a solemn journey from New York City, a World Trade Center beam today will make a procession through Brevard County en route to its resting place at a Kennedy Space Center fire station’s 9/11 memorial.
A group of KSC firefighters driving through Brevard today and expect to exit Interstate 95 at the Pineda Causeway exit around 12:30 p.m. on their way up from Miami, where an American Airlines passenger jet flew the one-ton, 7-foot-long beam.
Crated and draped in an American flag, the steel I-beam will be carried by a black Dodge pickup truck escorted by sheriff’s deputies and likely dozens of motorcyclists.
From the Pineda Causeway, they plan to roll north on U.S. 1 for about 30 miles to State Road 405 in Titusville, where they’ll cross the Indian River Lagoon to KSC.
Representatives from local fire departments are expected to position trucks at various intersections along the route with ladders extended and firefighters saluting in formal dress.
