The piece of steel from the World Trade Center presented Saturday to the City of Mountain Home will soon have a permanent place of distinction downtown at the Veterans Memorial Plaza.
Retired New York City firefighter Joseph Russo made the presentation following his keynote address at Baxter County’s 9/11 memorial ceremony. Russo, the former captain of the FDNY’s Engine Company 254 in Brooklyn, presented the 50-pound piece of steel to Mountain Home Fire Chief Kris Quick and Police Chief Eddie Griffin.
Gassville Fire Chief Mike Glotzl says the Baxter County Fire Chiefs Association has already raised the funds to build a permanent display for the metal and incorporate the display into the existing Veterans Plaza.
The late Vincent Feliccia of Mountain Home worked with Russo, his brother-in-law, and several other New York City residents to request a piece of World Trade Center steel for Mountain Home.
Russo talks about the difficulty in acquiring such a historical artifact.
Listen:
Feliccia, himself a retired NYC firefighter, passed away on September 2 in Mountain Home.
Russo says he had hoped that Feliccia’s health would have permitted him to see the steel presented to the city.
Listen:
At Saturday’s 9/11 memorial ceremony, a seat on stage was reserved for the retired fireman that had helped bring a piece of a New York City to Mountain Home.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI