Monroe accepts a piece of WTC beam ‘as a reminder of lost friends'

MONROE-Former Washingtonville Mayor Leonard Curcio presented a section of the original 7-foot beam from the World Trade Center to the Town of Monroe on Monday. The beam of twisted metal from Ground Zero came to the Village of Washingtonville nearly three years ago with thoughts that it would be incorporated into a memorial to the five firefighters who lived there and who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001. Curcio is a retired New York City firefighter instrumental in securing a beam from the World Trade Center. In a brief statement, Curcio said that it was his intent to acquire the beam for use in the Washingtonville's memorial to the five firefighters. However, he added that after consulting with the five widows, they did not want it included. He said he revisited the idea a few times but the plan was abandoned. Instead, Curcio said he decided to section it off and offer the pieces to firehouses and neighboring municipalities. "I know that it will be used in a manner that is respectful to the memory of those lost on 9/11," Curcio said in making the presentation, which was accepted by Monroe Town Historian James Nelson. In response, Nelson said: "I wish to express our sincere thanks to Mayor Curcio for presenting our town with this piece of sacred history. It will always be a reminder of the lost friends, neighbors and members of our community from that tragic day of September 11, 2001. The memories of those friends will live on in our hearts and minds." According to Nelson, the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 claimed the lives of Monroe residents Mathew Barnes and Kenneth Marino, who were both members of the New York City Fire Department, as well as Martin Asher, Thomas Dowd, Edward Mazzella, Lynne Irene Morris and Martin Worley, who worked for Cantor-Fitzgerald. "This piece of steel will remain part of our history, may it strengthen our resolve to protect this wonderful land and all that reside in it," Nelson added. He then asked those in attendance to observe a moment of silence. He ended the presentation with the singing of God Bless America. Meanwhile, the 9/11 quilt that had been sewn for Monroe was recently put on display at its permanent home at the Senior Center where the presentation took place. It was one of 34 quilts that had been on display at the County Government Center in Goshen.