After 10 years of silence, 9-11 survivor Lilly Epstein Stotland agreed to speak publicly about her experiences at the unveiling of a memorial in Birmingham, MI.

Stotland was working at Goldman Sachs just a few blocks from the World Trade Center on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

What started as a normal work day quickly transitioned to terror after Stotland and her colleagues felt their building shake as a result of Flight 11 hitting the North Tower at 8:46 a.m.

As everyone tried to make sense of the situation, Stotland watched out of the corner of her eye as Flight 175 flew by her window.

As she turned she watched the aircraft collide with the South tower. “The scene was indescribable, a cloud of grey swirling haze,” said Stotland. “I was covered in dust from head to toe.”

Once outside the building, Stotland linked arms with her colleagues and ran. While running they shielded their faces from dust and debris with their shirts. “We were untrained, unsuspecting, civilian soldiers,” said Stotland.

Sept. 11, 2011 marked the 10th anniversary of one of the most unforgettable days in American history. In less than two hours, America was changed forever.

Now, a decade later, all that remains is finding a way to continue rekindling the broken spirit of the nation while remembering those who lost their lives that day.

Birmingham Fire Department, Adam’s Station, publicly revealed a memorial at a service dedicated to all of the people who lost their lives in the tragedy of 9-11.

The service started at 11 a.m. and included many distinguished guests. One of the most anticipated speakers was Stotland herself.

Ten years after 9-11, Stotland still cringes at the sound of fire engines or planes flying overhead. When deciding whether she should support the memorial or not, she says “I originally had mixed feelings about putting this memorial in my home town, but I felt it was important for future generations to understand the magnitude of the events that happened that day.”

“Sept. 11 was a horrifying day in our nation’s history. In the days that followed we came together as citizens and supported each other through difficult times.”

“We were untrained, unsuspecting, civilian soldiers.”

The memorial itself consists of a small, rusted portion of an I-beam found in the wreckage of the towers.

The steel is slightly twisted and stands alone in a glass case with a plaque that reads “September 11, 2001. We will always remember, dedicated to the thousands of innocent people who lost their lives and those who survived.”

Although the actual beam for the memorial was donated, the Epstein family handled the shipping and display costs. 92 countries lost citizens in 9-11 and many of these countries are receiving pieces of the tower for their own memorials.

“None are being donated to private businesses; only for the community. We are very fortunate to receive this memorial,” said Joe Valentine, employee of the city manager’s office.

Valentine was the first person to ‘get the ball rolling’ when he first heard pieces of the towers were being donated to communities around two years ago. He said it has taken about 18 months to get the piece to Adam’s Station.

Birmingham is much more connected to the World Trade Center than many may know. “The World Trade Center was actually designed here in Birmingham by the late Minoru Yamasaki, in a way the towers are finally home,” explains City Commissioner Stuart Lee Sherman.

It has been 10 years since the attacks and Americans are finally starting a new chapter in their lives. “Bringing this piece of the tower back really brings everything full circle. In the end we have all been brought closer together,” says mayor pro-tem, Mark Nickita.

Other than Pearl Harbor, Sept. 11 was the first monumental terror attack on our soil. “Our sense of security is what was affected most other than the physical damage,” said Birmingham Assistant Fire Chief John Connaughton.

This memorial brings a sense that together we can conquer anything. This memorial is one of many that are all helping younger generations realize the impact 9-11 had on our nation.

Allowing younger people to establish a more personal connection to the attacks helps them to realize how we all came together as a nation and emerged through difficult times. The beam seems to emphasize the American spirit. “It’s bent, but not broken,” concludes Stotland.

State Representative Gary Peters summarized the importance of this memorial, “Today is about remembering those who lost their lives in the tragedy of 9-11,” he said. “Remembering is what unites us and our problems confronting us as a nation. That is why this memorial is so important.”