A somber day in the Southern Tier as a piece of the World Trade Center makes it way to Highland Park. As our Elyse Mickalonis tells us, officials say they're honored to bring the 10 foot steel beam to the community and family members of lost loved ones.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. -- Tuesday was a day of remembrance for many across the nation and for people at Highland Park, it was no different.

“It was a tribute to all of our local heroes. Today, we wanted to thank them for serving the Town of Union residents each and every day of the year and it was a dedication of our steel beam piece,” said Rose Sotak, Town of Union Deputy Supervisor.

Eleven years after the World Trade Centers fell, a procession made its way from the Endwell Fire Station to Highland Park’s Remembrance Garden. A ten foot steel beam from Ground Zero was led by the New York State Police, Broome County Sheriff’s Department, Endicott Police Department, as well as other law enforcement officials and first responders.

“It’s sad we have to have a piece like that, but it’s nice it could be in our come and come and look at it, sit in silence and pray for all those lost and pray for EMS every day,” said Leslie Warner, Union Volunteer Ambulance Squad EMT.

Endicott resident Austin Howell added, “They should honor this day because this is the day that the Twin Towers collapsed. You pretty much have to respect the people who died in there.”

The event was originally scheduled for the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, but was postponed by last year’s flooding. Officials say they were glad to bring something so special to the community.

“At the Town of Union, we had a private viewing for the families, you’re speechless and you’re speechless. There’s really not much to think,” said Sotak.

A life-seized model of the memorial is in place, and officials say they hope to get the steel beam in the ground before cold weather hits.

“We think it’s going to be granite top over it and we’re going to have water that would continuously running, just like it does in New York City,” said Sotak.

Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice 11 years ago.