Centers said when he looks at the piece of steel — it still has two twisted pins that supported concrete — he feels “a number of emotions” that range from sadness to happiness. He believes the steel stands for “our resolve as a nation.”
He expects the tribute to Sept. 11 to be used as “a learning and teaching tool” throughout the community. He said the podium will be stored at one of the two fire stations in the city, and will be available for area groups to use at no charge.
On top of the podium is a plague that was donated by Steve's Trophies in Middletown. In part it reads: "This artifact is dedicated to the 343 New York City firefighters, and 60 law enforcement officers who perished on Sept. 11, 20o1. When the hazards were high, they pushed on knowingly risking their lives for the community they served. Their uncommon valor will serve as an enduring beacon guiding generations of future men and women who also will put their lives of others before their own."
City officials will hold a Sept. 11 commemorative ceremony Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at Monroe City Hall, 233 S. Main Street, where the memorial podium will be unveiled. In addition to city, police and fire officials, the Monroe High School choir will perform during the ceremony.
Centers said when people touch the steel some have said it feels warm, though it has been stored in an air-conditioned fire station.
“They just get different looks on their faces,” Centers said of those who have seen the memorial. “They understand the significance of what they’re touching and what that day meant to our country.”
Eric Fox, vice president and co-owner of Vision Steel, said it was “a privilege” for the company to build the podium. He called the donation of materials and labor “a very small thing” compared to the sacrifices made by others.
“There is no way to repay them,” he said.
He said the United States changed forever on that day 13 years ago.
“There was a tremendous transition,” he said. “That was a turning point.”
Centers said on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Monroe and Middletown firefighters were training together. When news spread that an airplane had crashed into the first tower, he felt “disbelief” that there was a terrorist attack in the United States.
“It didn’t seem possible,” he said.
Now, he said, for generations to come, there will be a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many on that day and the days that followed. He was reminded that children who were born in 2001 now are seventh-graders.
“We can never forget,” he said.
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