WTC Steel Arrives in West Hempstead: Post Your Photos

The West Hempstead community paid tribute once again to all the men and women who perished on 9/11, including, Wednesday as they lined the streets to witness the arrival of a beam of steel that was once part of the World Trade Center.

An escort that included the West Hempstead and Lakeview Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nassau County Auxiliary Police Unit 116 and the West Hempstead Community Support Association retrieved which measures 50 inches high and 17 inches by 17 inches, from a hangar at JFK Airport Wednesday morning. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey had granted the community's request for a piece of the Twin Towers that had been retrieved from Ground Zero in January, after residents, local politicians and organizations sent numerous letters.

Shortly after 10 a.m., the procession exited the Southern State Parkway in Lakeview and began its tour around the neighborhood, passing under large American flags that the Lakeview, West Hempstead and Malverne fire departments hung from their engines over the roadways.

Their final destination was , where the steel will be stored in the vacant library until plans have been fleshed out to make it part of a permanent memorial at where a small garden and plaque bearing the names of the deceased West Hempstead residents currently stands.

Rosalie Norton, president of the West Hempstead Community Support Association, learned last week that Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano granted permission to place the steel beam inside the park, which is owned by the county.

Post your photos of today's event in the gallery above and check back later for Patch's coverage.