CCBC Dundalk to be Custodian of World Trade Center I-Beam

More than 200 people gathered at CCBC Dundalk for a community observance of Patriot Day, Sept. 11, 2002. Occupying a place of honor at the observance was a 200-pound segment of an I-beam from one of the World Trade Center buildings. The City of New York's Office Community Assistance Unit, under the auspices of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, recently sent the artifact to the citizens of Dundalk in recognition of their outpouring of support following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

This is the only such artifact sent to a Maryland community or company, and one of only 40 I-beam pieces to be distributed throughout the United States. The I-beam is currently on display in the CCBC Dundalk Library. Plans are underway to create a permanent display area for this and other Sept. 11 artifacts.

The ceremony began with a procession by the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) Honor Guard Color team, accompanied by bagpipe music by Det. Diane Leister, BCPD. Kim White, CCBC accounts receivable specialist, sang the Star Spangled Banner while the United States flag was raised by Mark Leidner, CCBC Dundalk Public Safety officer and fire specialist with Engine Company 7 in Essex. Cadets from the BCPD 114th Recruit Class assisted in the flag raising.

During the morning ceremony, CCBC Chancellor Irving Pressley McPhail and CCBC Dundalk President Gena Proulx shared their thoughts on the year passed, and hopes for the years to come. Following an inspirational message from Rev. Dred Scott, pastor of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Turners Station, Dundalk resident Don Kellner explained to the gathering how the I-beam segment came to be given to the community. At the conclusion of the event, Jean C. Little, CCBC Dundalk Health/Life Fitness facility coordinator and master sergeant in the Air National Guard, led everyone in observing a moment of silence.

Firefighters from Station 6 in Dundalk, as well as the BCPD Command and Control Unit, Traffic Management Team and Canine Unit also participated in the hour-long ceremony.

*See more photos of the CCBC Dundalk observance in the "Snapshots" section of this edition of Live@CCBC.