HILLSBOROUGH:Planned memorial borne of 9/11 fire

By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
   The steel beam is twisted, rusted, and bows upward in the middle.
   The 86-by-15-by-4-inch beam is far from pretty, yet will become a poignant part of Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No. 3’s memorial garden.
   That’s because the seemingly common piece of damaged metal is a portion of a steel beam from the Twin Towers, and a piece of history from the most deadly terrorist attack on American soil.
   ”If you are involved in emergency services, this is a piece of history,” said Mark Brownlie, a firefighter with Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 who procured the beam. “Granted, it was history we would have rather not had.”
   ”That day touched just about everybody in the country,” said Carmine Nuzzolo, a firefighter with the company who had served with New York Fire Department Engine 162 during Sept. 11. “It’s just a reflection of what happened that day and what has been sacrificed in the name of service.”
   Receiving the beam came almost by chance. Mr. Brownlie subscribed to a firefighting website, www.firefighterclosecalls.com, and saw an article about acquiring the steel from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Knowing the importance of the artifacts, Mr. Brownlie decided to apply, writing a letter stating what the fire company would do with the steel, an approximate size beam they would like, and agreeing to certain terms if the fire company received a beam.
   The company heard it would receive a piece of the steel just a few months ago.
   Since the beams were being stored at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, N.Y., the fire company needed to arrange transport from the airport to Hillsborough. Professional and personal connections had 911 Carting and Septic, of Hillsborough — Mr. Brownlie is related to the owners, he said — and Lou’s Mobile Repair Service, of South Plainfield, bringing the beam to Hillsborough. The beam is being stored offsite, in a secure location; however, members of the company did go to see it when it arrived, Mr. Brownlie said.
   ”There were tears in people’s eyes when they looked at it, and goose bumps up their bodies,” he said.
   In 2011, the company intends to install the beam in its memorial garden, which it will expand to accommodate the beam. The company formed an eight-member committee within the company to decide on a design, which a company member who is an architect will design.
   The expansion follows the Eagle Scout project of resident John Limyansky, who helped prepare the garden for the expansion, Mr. Brownlie said. The project included putting in bushes and other items to beautify the site.
   ”We are volunteers, and it’s like our second job,” Mr. Brownlie said. “We don’t always get to maintain the garden.”
   In addition, the company also will be looking for donations to fund the expansion. Local businesses that are interested in contributing can e-mail Mr. Brownlie at [email protected].
   ”We are trying to design it ourselves, but we are going to be looking for local businesses to donate or give a discount on supplies,” Mr. Brownlie said.
   The installation and dedication ceremony has not yet been set, though the company hopes to have it in spring 2011.
   ”It’s just a very significant piece of history,” Mr. Brownlie said. “It was the largest terrorist attack on American soil. We just want to make sure everyone remembers the event.”