For those of us in North Carolina who have never had the opportunity to see Ground Zero and pause for a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11, there is a place in our state where you can connect with a small piece of the World Trade Center.

Many locals remember the exact moment – exactly what we were doing, where we were standing when we first heard news of the plane striking the North Tower. In Pittsboro, a steel beam from that tower, still bearing the original white markings "J75/4," serves as a memorial, a tangible piece of that morning.

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The beam of the World Trade Center north tower still has markings from when it was built.
The beam of the World Trade Center north tower still has markings from when it was built. (© WRAL)

The beam leans 9 degrees and 11 minutes, facing directly towards its home at Ground Zero in New York City. Small chunks of concrete are still attached.

Weighing 12,000 pounds, the 19-foot-long beam was acquired by the Chatham County 911 First Responder Memorial Foundation, donated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Nearby, a concrete sign reads, "We shall never forget." Another engraving reads, "444 miles to Ground Zero."

The beam from the World Trade Center in Pittsboro is now used as a memorial first responders and lives lost on 9/11.
The beam from the World Trade Center in Pittsboro is now used as a memorial first responders and lives lost on 9/11. (© WRAL)

"The line between life and death that morning was as straight as a steel beam. Everyone on the 92nd floor died. Everyone on the 91st floor lived," read an apt description in USA Today in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The small steel beam in Pittsboro is a distinct reminder of the fragility of life – but also a reminder of the strength of heroes that stood up that day and in the weeks after.

Pieces of the World Trade Center were sent to locations around the country for similar memorials, allowing people the opportunity to connect with tangible pieces of Ground Zero. One article described them as "hidden in plain sight."

The beam from the World Trade Center in Pittsboro is now used as a memorial first responders and lives lost on 9/11.
The beam from the World Trade Center in Pittsboro is now used as a memorial first responders and lives lost on 9/11. (© WRAL)

There's even a 6-inch piece of beam on a 9/11 memorial in Apex.

The memorial was dedicated in 2014 and remains there today – a quiet, sacred space where people can connect with memories from 9/11 right here in our home state.

A month of service in September in the Triangle

Ever since that day in 2001, thousands of people have honored that loss by gathering on the anniversary of 9/11 to build up their communities with acts of service and volunteerism.

The beam from the World Trade Center in Pittsboro almost forms a cross.
The beam from the World Trade Center in Pittsboro almost forms a cross. (© WRAL)

This year Activate Good in Raleigh has service projects available for people and causes across the Triangle – including daytime and evening shifts.