Community Corner

Oak Forest to Showcase 9/11 Beam in 'I Am An American Day' Parade

The return of the 'I Am an American Day Parade' was already a momentous occasion—but a very special addition will make it even more moving.

A piece of American history will soon arrive in Oak Forest.

The is honored to announce that a steel beam from the World Trade Center will be a part of theParade on Sept. 15.  

The city recently acquired the beam from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey with the help of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Illinois Senator Maggie Crotty, and Grane Trucking Company in Chicago. 

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“Senator Durbin and Senator Crotty were instrumental in helping us acquire a piece of our country’s history,” said Oak Forest Mayor Hank Kuspa.  “Once we received approval from the port authority our only hurdle was transportation. That’s when Grane stepped in and made it happen.”   

Kupsa, who works fulltime as a facilities manager for Grane, worked with the company’s management to find an independent trucker who was willing to pick up the beam in New York and transport it to Oak Forest.  

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“We hit a few road blocks along the way, but we made it happen in time for the parade,” Kuspa added.    

The beam, which is mangled and twisted from the terrorist attacks, is approximately seven feet long and weighs approximately 400 pounds. The beam will be carried on a red, white and blue Public Works truck during the parade. 


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