VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – The first 9/11 remembrance ceremony with the recently erected steel beam memorial from Tower 2 was held in Virginia Beach.

City officials and members of the Virginia Beach Fire Department gathered just beside the memorial to remember the lives lost, and the sacrifices of so many.

“We can never take for granted our magnificent public safety warriors, who every day, 24/7, 365, continue to keep us safe,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer.

The 34-foot steel beam comes from the north face of Tower 2 and stood on the 55-58th floors. Aside from a protective coating and anchoring at its base, its remains are entirely unaltered from this day, 24 years ago.

“Guys that were retired that had some experience with the Pentagon deployment, with the task force, they were involved in digging the hole and putting the foundation in,” said Wayne Black, a retired Virginia Beach Fire Department captain. “Just like rebuilding the United States, the foundation.” 

“We tried to cover all of the events that occurred on 9/11/2001 at this one site,” said Captain Jon Rigolo. “One of the best ideas that was put forward was to pour the slab that the steel is sitting on in the shape of the Pentagon. That’s to pay tribute to the Pentagon. Then the trees behind it are the Shanksville in respect to the aircraft that crashed there in Pennsylvania.” 

Those involved in bringing the steel beam to Virginia Beach say it serves as a vital piece in remembering the tragedy, especially for those who were not alive to witness it. 

“I think we’re at a point in our history now, where people don’t remember 9/11,” said Rigolo. “There’s a whole group of adults that have no idea what 9/11 is or was. I think this helps bring that back, particularly for our new members of the fire department.” 

Members of the department who played a part in the memorial’s construction say they were proud and humbled to be beside it today, and that they’ll continue to come back to pay tribute to the lives that were lost.