The World Center Trees Return to Coatesville

The process of bringing the trees home to Coatesville began not long after the tragedy of September 11, 2001 unfolded. Scott G. Huston, President; and Eugene L. DiOrio Executive Director, of the Graystone Society became aware through articles in the New York Times that some of the trees had been salvaged and were in storage in a hanger at JFK airport, under the responsibility of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Representative Joe Pitts was contacted by Graystone Board Member Charles L. “Skip” Huston III, and with his help board members of the Graystone Society were able to visit in July, 2006, the storage hangers and assess exactly what was being held there. Subsequent visits helped to clear up curatorial issues concerning disposition of the trees. By the summer of 2009, after the Federal Court in New York authorized the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to release pieces for memorials and museum purposes, Graystone was in good position to receive these artifacts.

The Graystone Society was fortunate in acquiring the services of EPJ/Landstar Trucking for the complicated task of coordinating transporting of the trees back to Coatesville. EPJ had been moving large pieces of salvage to JFK Airport from Gaithersburg, MD for investigative testing, so they fully understood the scope of the project, and had the necessary contacts with the Port Authority and the Governors’ offices, and were familiar with the protocols of the Port Authority and understood the scope of the project.

A new route was worked out, and permits obtained with the State of Pennsylvania. The drivers were all assembled at the hanger on Sunday, April 11, and the actual move began on Monday April 12, as Bay Crane Company cleared a path in the storage hangers to the actual pieces to be moved, and loaded some trees for the Navy Seals, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

The next day trucks were backed into the hangers and loaded by cranes, draped with American flags and “Coming Home” banners for the trip to Coatesville. Loading took all day, starting at 7:30 am and continuing past 11 pm.

On Wednesday, April 14, the drivers were ready to go at 4 am The convoy of 28 trucks first crossed the Throgs Neck Bridge, then crossed the George Washington bridge at dawn.

Their route took them down Route 80, across New Jersey and crossed the Delaware River at Stroudsburg, PA. They came down Route 100 south to Business Route 30 west, turning on to South First Avenue. They were greeted with great fanfare all along the route, with fire companies draping flags from their ladder trucks along the way. While the first trucks moved on to be unloaded, the last 13 in the convoy stopped in the Historic District for the welcoming ceremony.

Speakers at the ceremony included Martha McGeary Snider, Policy Advisor on Arts and Culture for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania representing Governor Ed Rendell; Pennsylvania State Representative Tim Hennessey; Chester County Commissioners Carol Aichele, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell; from the city of Coatesville City Manager Ted Reed; Council President Edward Simpson, Vice President Karl Marking; and Scott G. Huston and Eugene L. DiOrio of the Graystone Society The Reverend Bill Shaw provided the Invocation and the closing prayer was by Reverend H. Joe Tyson. Patriotic music was performed by the Lukens Band.

(all Photos this page: Bob Williams)

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