Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

World Trade Center

Barack Obama message, signature hoisted to top of One World Trade Center

In photos: steel beam signed by the Obamas and police and construction workers at the WTC site has been lifted onto the 104th floor of the new skyscraper.

A STEEL BEAM signed by President Barack Obama was lifted into place yesterday at the top of the 104-story One World Trade Center.

A crane atop the building raised the beam from the ground after dozens of people, including construction workers and police officers, added their own signatures near those of the president and first lady Michelle Obama.

“It feels really good to be a part of it,” said iron worker James Brady, part of the crew that lifted the beam. “I feel very proud to be here. I feel very lucky to be here.”

Barack Obama message, signature hoisted to top of One World Trade Center
1 / 7
  • World Trade Center

    President Barack Obama's signature and message. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan/PA)
  • World Trade Center

    Ironworker Billy Geoghan reaches out to maneuver a steel beam as it is lifted by crane to the 104th floor of 1 World Trade Center. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan/PA)
  • World Trade Center

    Ironworkers James Brady, left, and Billy Geoghan at work on the 104th floor of 1 World Trade Center. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan/PA)
  • World Trade Center

    The beam was signed by President Barack Obama with the notes: "We remember," ''We rebuild" and "We come back stronger!" during a ceremony at the construction site June 14. Since then the beam has been adorned with the autographs of workers and police officers at the site. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan/PA)
  • World Trade Center

    In this June 14, 2012 file photo, President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, sign the steal beam. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, PA File)
  • World Trade Center

    President Barack Obama's signature and thoughts are shown on a steel beam prior to its installation yesterday. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan/PA)
  • World Trade Center

    Ironworkers James Brady, left, and Billy Geoghan release the cables from the steel beam after connecting it atop the skyscraper. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan/PA)

On June 14, the Obamas visited the skyscraper that’s being built to replace the twin towers destroyed by terrorists on September 11, 2001. The white beam contains the words “One World Trade Center” painted in blue. Obama wrote in marker: “We remember,” ”We rebuild” and “We come back stronger!”

The signatures will no longer be visible as the beam, which is 35 feet long and weighs 11,000 pounds, is enveloped by the structure.

“It will be, as the rest of the beams are, one that will support this building in years to come, decades to come,” said Steven Plate, head of World Trade Center construction for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the site.

The skyscraper, formerly known as the Freedom Tower, is expected to be completed in early 2014.

Author
Associated Foreign Press
Your Voice
Readers Comments
5
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.