By Amy Batista, Special Writer
Flashing lights and motorcycle clubs of every color along with sirens could be seen and heard making their way down the New Jersey Turnpike as a piece of twisted steel from the World Trade Center made its 79-mile journey to its final resting place in Princeton on Saturday.
Firetrucks and people lined the overpasses along the route to cheer the procession on its way.
More than 200 motorcycles from the Red Knights, Blue Knights, Green Knights and other motorcycle clubs along with individuals and emergency service units participated in the procession, which picked up the piece of steel from the Friends of Firefighters in Brooklyn and transported it to Princeton for a proposed memorial.
The group stopped at the Molly Pitcher rest area to refuel and take a break during the trek.
Using a trailer provided by the Princeton Department of Public Works, the team picked up the 10-foot-long by 2-foot-wide and 2-foot-high beam.
”The design (of the memorial) will incorporate three of the four senses — sight, smell and touch,” said Roy James, Princeton Fire Department deputy chief.
His goal is to have the memorial complete by the upcoming Sept. 11 anniversary.
”This piece of steel is a symbol of hope, survival, memories and most important sacrifice,” Mr. James said. “It will be used to heal and educate others.”
Mr. James noted the area would be doing fundraising for the memorial and will need to raise an estimated $250,000.
”It’s awesome,” said Joe Sharp, of Folsom Road, a captain of the Red Knights for Chapter 16.
It was his fourth time participating in a WTC steel run.
”Just to see the people and the support that you get on the highways; people will be out with the flags. It’s just fabulous,” Mr. Sharp said.
The Cranbury Fire Department was covering the Princeton Fire Department, Station 60, on Saturday so it could pick up the steel in New York. It had a total of five firefighters and three junior firefighters standing by on the special assignment.
”A request was sent out by Mercer County fire coordinators for assistance covering Princeton during the event,” said Michael Kervan, chief of the Cranbury Fire Department. “We thought it would be nice to be there for the arrival of the steel in Princeton as well as assist them if needed while they brought home the steel. Seeing the support from all of the groups involved and seeing the piece brought in to Princeton, I felt a great sense of pride; it is an important part of history.”
”It was a very rewarding experience,” said Sandra Kearney, a firefighter with the Cranbury Fire Department. “Especially in this situation when there was a piece of steel from the World Trade Center.”
Most of the members have been on several World Trade Center runs, but it still is an emotional experience.
”It was a chilling sight to see the steel from the WTC and the escort it had with the sirens wailing and the lights flashing,” Ms. Kearney said. “I thought it was an amazing experience to be there and witness the steel being brought in with the escort that it had. It gives you a sense of pride for your country, and I feel honored to stand next to my fellow firefighters. We were there to respond to any calls that Princeton received so they could partake in the ceremony and event.”
For some firefighters, it is a different experience each and every time they go on a World Trade Center steel run.
”Every time I do one, it is a different experience because you hear all different stories of how 9/11 changed their lives, and it’s sad,” said Cranbury firefighter Joe Buonavolonta. “It was sad hearing the bagpipers and seeing the steel go by me covered with the flag. It just made me feel sad for all the victims and their families. Sometimes I feel like people forget what happen on 9/11 or they forget the duty of firemen when the fire alarm goes off. We all run to the firehouse leaving our families. You leave birthday parties, you leave dinner, you leave school plays, baseball games and so on. When these 9/11 runs come up, I always go to show my support and do what I can do to help the families of the victims.”
The Cranbury Fire Department has a small piece of the World Trade Center that was given to it after a fundraiser it did in support of the fallen firefighters from 9/11. It has a hydrant from the World Trade Center site. Both pieces are located in its museum.
Organizers are looking for any volunteers who would like to donate their time, any equipment and material or to make donations.
For further information, contact Mr. James at [email protected].

