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Aug 24, 2008 7:51 pm US/Eastern
Steel Cross Erected Near Flight 93 Site
SHANKSVILLE (KDKA) ―
Hundreds of New York City firefighters, bearing a gift of remembrance for another place affected by the events of September 11th, made a special dedication ceremony today in Somerset County.
More than 400 firemen came thundering into Shanksville's fire station to give a gift, and show September 11 solidarity.
They brought a piece of steel from the North Tower of the World Trade Center that is shaped like a cross.
This morning in front of that cross, firefighters read the names of those lost, when Flight 93 crashed, not far from the fire station.
New York City firefighter Dominic Esposito was on-hand.
He came for the family he lost in the towers.
"My brother, firefighter Frankie Esposito and cousin, Capt. Michael Esposito," said Esposito.
For Esposito, this was not a ride, but a pilgrimage, to where other heroes fell.
"Oh, that's sacred ground," said Esposito. "That's so sacred ground."
"My brother was killed in the South Tower," said New York Fireman John McAllese. "Had four kids, all under 5 years-old. I lost 8 guys in my fire house."
For McAllese, the steel cross means his brother, Esposito's brother's spirits and all the others will forever be in Shanksville, as well.
"It brings a part of it together," said McAllese. "All three, that day. It brings it all together. It's special, being here."
"With this memorial, here in Shanksville, every time we go to a call, there won't be a time I don't think of those people," said Shanksville Fire Chief Terry Shaffer.
Retired New York City Firefighter Lt. Paddy Concannon was one of a few who decided Shanksville and its firefighters deserved this particular monument.
"It is a monument a testament that life goes on," said Concannon. "We're going to do our things as Americans, and we're not going to be deterred."
Construction of a permanent memorial to the heroes of Flight 93 will get underway soon.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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