May 12, 2011

 

Contacts:
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — A piece of I-beam that was recovered from the World Trade Center site after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 and given to Montana State University Billings will be arriving in Billings on Sunday.

 

The piece will be incorporated into a memorial to honor those who died and responded to the 9/11. It will be built this summer at the MSU Billings College of Technology, 3803 Central Ave. The commemorative site — believed to be the first in Montana and few west of the Mississippi River — is to be dedicated on Sept. 11, 2011.

 

Gary Edwards, fire science instructor at the MSU Billings COT, picked up the piece of steel I-beam this week and is on his way back to Billings. He and the steel will be back in town Sunday.

 

photo of the World Trade Center I-beam
World Trade Center I-beam

  

Here are some details for your planning purposes and potential news coverage:

  • The steel I-beam is about 612 pounds
  • Reportedly, it measures about 6 feet long by 36 inches deep by about 12 inches wide
  • It is uncertain from which tower the steel came from at this point
  • The piece will arrive in Billings on Sunday, May 15 between noon and 1 p.m.
  • Mr. Edwards will meet up with some area police and fire professionals at the lower parking lot at MetraPark as the Billings arrival point.
  • To honor the police, fire and paramedic professionals who lost brothers and sisters in the 9/11 attacks, there will be an escort of the steel I-beam from MetraPark (lower lot) over the top of the Rims, down Zimmerman Trail and to the MSU Billings College of Technology, 3803 Central Ave.

Photos of the steel and a map showing where police, fire and Patriot Guard will arrive at the COT on Sunday.

 

Arrival Map