Steel beam from World Trade Center makes stop in Fort Myers as it travels the US

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

A steel beam that once supported the South Tower of the World Trade Center is traveling across the United States, escorted by motorcycle riders from the Gulf Coast in a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

In Fort Myers, a caravan of Harley-Davidsons accompanied the 22-foot beam, which is part of a tour spanning 21 states and 35 stops. The tour began on May 2 and is expected to return to Ground Zero by September 11 for the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Keith Reagan, a driver for Tunnel to Towers, said, "We're actually on a tour that's going all the way around the whole United States."

Anthony Karam, who joined the escort, explained the significance of the event for the motorcycle community. "We have in the motorcycle community. We have so many veterans, so many law enforcement, so many fire, etc., and every one of them stepped up and said, 'We want to be part of this,'" he said.

Reagan described the emotional impact of the tour. "It's totally an honor. You don't realize. I mean, it's like every time I open these doors and people just come up here, everybody has a story to tell. And to hear everybody telling me what they were doing that day," he said.

Mark Thorton reflected on the day the towers fell. "Etched in my mind forever. You know, I was with the international vice president of the firefighters. And I'll never forget his words. When the towers collapsed, he said to me, 'We just lost 400 guys,'" he said.

Jennifer Molina shared her personal memory of 9/11. "World Trade Center, seems like. Yeah, that's what I heard. You recall where you were on 9/11? Oh, yes, I remember I was in my first week of college, waiting at home for my mom to give me a ride when I saw it on TV, and I really thought it was a movie," she said.

Karam emphasized the lasting impact of the tragedy. "We all remember exactly what we did. And that feeling is in our hearts forever," he said.

Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, including 343 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers.

Karam shared his plans for the next leg of the journey.

"I will be riding all the way to Sunrise, which is outside of Fort Lauderdale, today. And then tomorrow morning I'm going to get up and ride over to Fort Lauderdale again to escort it to Miami," he said.

The beam will be escorted to Miami for a Marlins game tomorrow as the tour continues its path of remembrance and reflection.

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