WTC steel sent nationwide for memorials

NEW YORK, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Pieces of World Trade Center steel are being sent across the United States for new Sept. 11 memorials nationwide, officials say.

Almost 1,200 pieces of mangled steel pulled from Ground Zero are being sent to all 50 states and some overseas locations to be used to in memorials commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, attack, the New York Daily News reported.

"These are the artifacts of mass destruction," said Chris Ward, head of the Port Authority.

PA officials say they got about 2,000 requests for 1,183 pieces of steel, which they are sending out through Kennedy Airport's cavernous Hangar 17.

"It quickly became our sacred mission to send pieces of steel out into the world to tell the story of 9/11," Ward said.

One piece, a mere 6 inches, went to the Maple Grove Fire Rescue Department in Minnesota, who were happy to have it.

"It's a great honor," Fire Chief Scott Anderson said.

On Sept. 11, the 10th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center, New York will unveil the National Sept. 11 Memorial at Ground Zero. About 225 small-scale will debut across the United States the same day.

"We're nobody from nowhere, but every year on 9/11, we put 343 flags in front of our fire station to remember New York's lost firefighters," said Fire Chief Jim Groat Jr., 51. from Brown City, Mich.