A 21-foot steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center's South Tower was unveiled on the White House lawn Tuesday, marking a significant moment ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The beam, weighing nearly 17,000 pounds, is part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's Steel Across America tour, an initiative aimed at raising funds for first responders and commemorating the nearly 3,000 individuals who died in the attacks.
President Trump addressed first responders and U.S. service members gathered on the Ellipse, reflecting on the events of 9/11 and the enduring strength of America. "This battered piece of steel here today on the Ellipse is a reminder that America is blessed with a strength no fire can consume, no evil can conquer, and no terror can destroy," Trump stated.
During the event, President Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the family of Welles Crowther, a hero of the 9/11 attacks known as the "Man in the Red Bandana." Crowther's heroic actions saved 18 lives before he perished when the South Tower collapsed. His mother and sister accepted the award.
The ceremony highlighted the sacrifices of the 343 firefighters lost on 9/11, many of whom continue to suffer from long-term health issues attributed to exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. The Ellipse was adorned with photographs of fallen first responders.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation CEO Frank Siller, who lost his firefighter brother Stephen Siller in the attacks, also spoke, emphasizing the cost of freedom. "Freedom isn't free. And all those families know that. All those families have paid a big price for your freedom, for my freedom," Siller said.
In observance of the anniversary, President Trump is also scheduled to deliver remarks at the Pentagon's 9/11 memorial. This marks a departure from recent tradition, as the National September 11 Memorial and Museum has prohibited politicians from speaking at its ceremonies since 2012 to avoid partisanship. Vice President JD Vance is expected to represent the administration at the New York ceremony, where former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush are anticipated to attend. Other administration officials are slated to attend a ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, commemorating the crash of United Airlines Flight 93.