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For Immediate Release WEIRTON, W.VA. – Weirton Steel Corp. today presented three steel beams from the World Trade Center (WTC) to a veterans group that will display them in memory of the victims of Sept. 11. During a ceremony attended by U.S. Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, D-W.Va., Weirton Steel President and Chief Executive Officer John H. Walker donated the beams to military veterans overseeing construction of the new Brooke-Hancock (counties) Veterans Memorial Park in Weirton. Several months ago, Weirton Steel purchased scrap steel to be recycled in its steelmaking operations and learned the material included beams from the WTC. Three beams were saved, cleaned, primed and painted before being donated to the veterans. "The beams stand in memory of the nearly 3,000 men and women who lost their lives to an evil and misguided cause. They also stand in remembrance of those who lost their lives trying to save the lives of others," Walker said. "When people see the beams, we hope they will remember how fortunate we are to live in a country with such wonderful freedoms. And, that they understand that these freedoms cannot be taken for granted and must be preserved by standing firm and defending our nation." Workers set the beams in concrete. One rests horizontally and behind it, two others are set vertically to symbolize the Twin Towers. "The attack on the World Trade Center was an act of war against our nation. It was financed, planned and executed by terrorists consumed with hatred for the United States and the principles for which we stand. Like many Americans, time and time again, the citizens of Brooke and Hancock counties have fought in courageous defense of those principles. We owe our liberty to their faithful service and to the sacrifices they made on countless battlefields," Mollohan commented. "Weirton Steel is to be commended for this touching contribution to the memorial park. The beams will serve as a lasting tribute to those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center tragedy. And, they will serve as a constant reminder that threats to our freedom exist all around us." The beams join various military
artifacts displayed at the park including an anchor, helicopter, cannon
and tank among other hardware. Weirton Steel eventually will place a
memorial plaque at the site of the beams. |
