In remembrance of the World Trade Center bombing on September 11, 2001 Westerville plans to hold a memorial parade and service at Fire Station 111. The parade will escort a long awaited piece of history to Westerville’s First Responders’ Park.
Tom Ullom, a Westerville firefighter/medic has been instrumental in developing a place for the community to honor first responders. At the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Md a crushed and twisted piece of steel that spanned the 98th and 99th floors of the north tower spoke to him. “This piece actually shows the devastation of that day,” Ullom said. He envisioned including it in Westerville’s First Responders’ Park to be completed in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Westerville Fire Department in 2010.
Ullom spent over seven years wading through red tape to secure this piece of history for Westerville. Although he had his doubts that his hard work would ever pay off, Westerville will parade the 4000-pound piece of steel from the north tower of the World Trade Center through Uptown Westerville on September 11. This procession will mark the first public appearance of the steel, known as C-40, which will become centerpiece to Westerville’s First Responders Park.
Observe this historic procession as it travels along State St. (S.R. 3) from Huber Village Blvd., north to W. Main St. and on to Fire Station 111, 400 W. Main St. Following the procession, a public Memorial Service will take place at Fire Station 111. Wear your red, white and blue or wave your American flag in honor of all who sacrificed eight years ago, as well as those who serve our community every day.
10:30am: Procession begins at Huber Village Blvd. and S. State St.
Noon: Memorial Observance, Fire Station 111, 400 W. Main St.
