BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A 22-foot-high steel beam, once part of the Twin Towers, stands as a solemn 9/11 memorial outside Bakersfield Fire Station 15.
Nestled between the American and California flags on Buena Vista, this relic from the September 11, 2001, terror attacks serves as a poignant reminder of the nation’s unity and resilience. The Bakersfield Fire Department petitioned the New York Fire Department to secure this piece of history, ensuring the community would never forget the tragic events of that day.
The New York Fire Department quickly approved the request once they learned the beam would be placed between Fire Station 15 and a Bakersfield Police Department substation. Local donations and nonprofit support funded the 12-day, cross-country journey of the 7-ton artifact to its permanent home.
On Sept. 11, 2016, the memorial was unveiled, honoring the thousands of lives lost and expressing gratitude to first responders for their dedication to public safety.
File-Photo taken Sunday Sept. 11, 2016 at the Bakersfield 9/11 Memorial on Buena Vista Road. (KBAK/KBFX)
Today, the rusty, twisted metal, still bearing crumbled concrete, stands as a testament to resilience. It symbolizes that, despite the toughest times, the city, county, and country come together, embodying the spirit of unity in America.