Marking 23 years after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Collin College unveiled a memorial, honoring the firefighters, police, emergency workers and others who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
The memorial, located at the Public Safety Training Center (PSTC) in McKinney, stands six feet tall and is constructed from metal and glass. It features a 16-by-16-inch piece of steel recovered from the site of the attack, a depiction of the pre-2001 New York City skyline and a plaque with an inscription expressing the memorial's significance. Unveiled at a small ceremony on Sept. 10, the plaque reads: “This piece of steel from the Twin Towers stands as a permanent reminder of September 11, 2001, a day that changed our lives forever.”
According to Collin College, Law Enforcement Academy Director Scott Donaldson and Fire Science Academy Director Pat McAuliff took part in the unveiling, sharing their personal reflections on how the 9/11 attacks impacted them as first responders. Both emphasized the significance of the memorial for future students who will pass through the PSTC.
The piece of steel from the World Trade Center was gifted to Collin College by New York Fire Department Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro, following a request from Donaldson highlighting Collin College's role in training the next generation of first responders. The memorial was created by artists Danny Jackson and Kolin Zomnir.
“We want to be sure to continue the history, to see that we never forget it, and to make sure that it is something that we continue to pass on to all first responders,” Donaldson said during the ceremony. “We are very honored to have this display.”
The memorial sculpture is situated in the lobby of the PSTC and is open to the public during regular business hours. Located at 3600 Redbud Blvd. in McKinney, the PSTC houses Collin College’s law enforcement and fire science academies.
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