The Tunnel to Towers Steel Across America tour brought a preserved 21-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center's South Tower to the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in Boston's Seaport on Wednesday, as part of a nationwide journey timed to conclude in New York shortly after the anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks. The event allowed first responders, veterans and members of the public to pay their respects ahead of the attacks' 25th anniversary, with organisers stressing the importance of educating younger generations about the sacrifices made both during and after the tragedy.

The 16,900-pound beam, which has been touring since May, drew guests including Massachusetts Fallen Heroes executive director Dan Magoon and former Olympic hockey captain Mike Eruzione, who lost friends aboard one of the hijacked flights. After the Boston stop, the beam travelled to Fenway Park on Wednesday night, having earlier visited the US Military Academy at West Point on Monday; it is scheduled to reach the White House in Washington, D.C., on 8 September before the tour's conclusion in New York.