Princeton Firefighters Push for 9/11 Memorial

Over the past three years, Princeton Fire Department Deputy Chief Roy James has traveled to New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Penn., on his motorcycle, accompanying pieces of World Trade Center steel on its way to various memorial locations.

About 1,000 motorcycles accompany these transports and at every overpass, firefighters, EMS workers, police and others salute the riders, James said.

James met 9/11 widows and witnesses to the 9/11 attack during those trips.

“In order for history to never repeat itself, we must never forget,” James told Princeton Township Committee on Monday. “This is something I want to build for Princeton so that we never forget. “

James and fellow firefighter Kyle Rendall wants to build a 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial in Princeton. It would be a place where people could go sit, learn about the events of that day and honor those who died.

“We want to memorialize the people who lost their lives that day and for people who lost someone that day,” James said. “For Princeton not to have something would be a shame.”

He estimates it would cost $40,000-$70,000 to build a memorial and said he would like it to be in a central but uncrowned location.

For the past four months, he has been in contact with The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, which may have up to three pieces of WTC steel for Princeton's use. But another entity is also interested in that steel, so as a backup, James is in discussions with the Port Authority.

He and Rendall made a similar proposal to Princeton Borough Council in October. James said the council offered its support. 

“One way or another, Princeton is going to get a piece of steel and we’re very determined to get this done and we need your assistance- once we get it- to get it done,” James told Township Committee.   

Township Committee Member Lance Liverman said he was due  the 42nd floor of Building One at the World Trade Center on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, but was delayed in Princeton.

I think that people in Princeton, in this community, have been touched,” Liverman said, suggesting James consider community fundraising for the project. “To have something like this in Princeton, you would have so much support.”

Committee Member Sue Nemeth suggested that James partner with the Spirit of Princeton.

“We’ll entertain whatever proposal when you come to us later down the road,” she said.