Throggs Neck locals will soon have a piece of history in their backyard.
The Never Forget Foundation is donating steel from the former World Trade Center to Silver Beach and the greater Throggs Neck community.
The foundation was founded about ten years ago by locals Gene Lynch, of the FDNY and Vicki Miano, a nurse. Together they wanted to find a way to give back to others who served the public.
The goal of the organization is to provide support to veterans and first responders and thank them for what they do, said Lynch.
They send care packages to military, visit veterans hospitals, and host parties for firefighters, among other things.
“It’s in honor of all the men and women that serve this country,” said Lynch.
They’ve been working for more than two years on their latest project, securing a piece of World Trade Center steel for the community, which the Port Authority has allowed local non-profits and municipal agencies to request.
Now that the process is finally complete, they’re waiting until the weather warms to present it to the community of Silver Beach and greater Throggs Neck.
About 15 Throggs Neck residents died on September 11, 2001, and many other community members lost family or friends and continue to be affected by the tragedy, said Lynch.
The World Trade Center steel will serve to honor their memories.
“It’s for those who were lost on 9/11 and those who continue to lose their lives from the effects,” said Lynch.
The piece will be added this spring to the existing 9/11 memorial in Silver Beach, which looks out over the Manhattan skyline.
The plans for the dedication ceremony include FDNY and veterans groups escorting the steel in to Silver Beach, and then a blessing of the steel by an FDNY chaplain and the pastor from St. Benedict’s Church.
The public ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 at the Silver Beach memorial off Sunset Trail.
“I hope the community comes out in support of the families,” said Lynch.
