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| First responders representing 10 area agencies stand behind two artifacts from the 9/11 terrorist attacks that arrived Tuesday at SCC’s Public Safety Training Center in Franklin. |
Two large segments of heavy, rusting metal arrived Tuesday morning at Southwestern Community College’s Public Safety Training Center in Franklin.
Much more than an I-beam and a portion of subway track, they are artifacts from the worst act of terrorism in United States history. They used to lie below the World Trade Center twin towers in New York City and will soon serve as local memorials to American heroes of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Several dozen first responders were present for the arrival of the historical items, which were secured through an application process by Kameron Buchanan - SCC’s fire and rescue program director who is currently deployed on active duty as a member of the Air Force National Guard.
Curtis Dowdle, SCC’s dean of public safety training, addressed the crowd and shared the still-developing plans for fashioning the artifacts into monuments that can serve as a reminder of the significance of public safety training.
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| (Above) Curtis Dowdle, SCC's dean of public safety training center, speaks to first responders Tuesday in Franklin. (Below) Dowdle examines the 9/11 artifacts. (Bottom) I-Beam and Subway track from the World Trade Center arrived Tuesday at SCC's Public Safety Training Center in Franklin. |
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“I’ve had the honor and privilege of serving in law enforcement, as a firefighter and on an ambulance,” said Dowdle, who was visibly moved at first sight of the objects. “After 9/11, seeing what happened to so many first responders, this is very humbling. It’s hard to find the words for what this means, having pieces of history right here. They remind us to focus on our purpose, which is to provide excellence through training every single day for first responders.”
The slightly curved section of subway track weighs more than 1,000 pounds, and the I-beam is more than 600 pounds. The objects had been stored in Long Island where investigations were completed following the attacks.
Dowdle indicated he hopes to work with SCC students and possibly Southwestern’s program at the LBJ Job Corps in Franklin to finalize designs for the monuments. He also plans to collaborate with local leaders on the most-appropriate locations for placing the finished memorials.
In the meantime, the artifacts will be stored in a secure location at the PSTC.
“It brings back a lot of memories,” said Dustin Pendergrass, chief of Cowee Volunteer Fire & Rescue. “I noticed everyone here was talking about how they remember what they were doing the instant the towers came under attack. To have a piece of that history right here allows us to reflect on the true meaning of our country and to honor the emergency services personnel who lost their lives on that day and since.”
