A steel beam from the second World Trade Center Tower is the centerpiece of the "Fearless Champions" sculpture which now stands by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Ybor City. It was designed by artist Becky Ault to honor the first responders and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks 13 years ago.
"The sacrifice and patriotism September 11th inspired in our country can never be allowed to fade, no matter distance nor passing of time," emcee Don Germaise said.
The keynote speaker was retired Navy Captain Jeff Cathey, and he said it is appropriate to have the sculpture right by the sheriff's office.
"This steel guard from Tower 2 is a great representation of the back bone of this country," he said. "It's fitting that it resides right here in Hillborough County amongst you, our first line of defense for American way of life."
The dedication ceremony included moments of silence at the same time the towers were struck on a similar morning in 2001. It included musical pieces by the Idlewild Baptist Symphony and the Tampa Bay Children's Choir.
The ceremony ended with a patriotic wreath placed on the memorial in remembrance of Hillsborough Fire Rescue Captain's brother, Richard Muldowney Jr., who died that day as a New York firefighter.
