Written by Laura Christmas
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla -- The community is invited to the Opening Ceremony of Clay County Fire Rescue's newest station, Station 20. The ceremony will be held on August 12 at 10:00 AM at 1305 Idlewild Avenue in Green Cove Springs.
Station 20 is a state-of-the-art facility designed to meet the needs of the growing community—with advanced safety features and increased space for more firefighters, equipment, and vehicles. The station replaces the current Station 20, located further down State Road 16. Partially funded with legislative appropriations, this station is a tangible example of the priority local and state leaders continue to put on public safety.
Station 20 will also be the site of Clay County's first 9/11 Memorial.
Structural Steel from the Twin Towers
The two beams that will be displayed are sections of exterior wall structural steel that originated from the 68th floor of World Trade Center 1, the North Tower. These beams stand as a solemn tribute to the lives lost on September 11, 2001, including citizens, first responders, and all who perished in the attacks. This memorial serves as a lasting reminder of the resilience of a nation and the sacrifice of many.
The Survivor Tree
The Survivor Tree is an offspring of a Callery pear tree that once stood at the original World Trade Center. Though nearly destroyed in the 9/11 attacks, it was rescued, restored, and now stands as a global symbol of resilience. In 2013, fruit from the tree was given to students at John Bowne High School in Queens through a partnership with the 9/11 Memorial, Bartlett Tree Experts, and the NYC Board of Education. Hundreds of seedlings were created from that project, and this Survivor Tree is one of them.
A solemn tribute
Clay County Fire Rescue and the Clay County Fire Rescue Professionals International Association of Firefighters Local 3362 jointly applied to The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s World Trade Center Artifacts Program to secure the beams in 2011 for this memorial. Clay County Fire Rescue applied for the Survivor Tree in 2021.
It is an honor to display these visual reminders of our country’s resiliency, and honor the lives that were lost.
Honoring legacy at the Memorial
During the ceremony, which will be ripe with history and tradition, County leaders will also announce how the community can honor a first responder's legacy at the 9/11 Memorial.
Parking information
Guest parking is at the nearby Green Cove Springs Junior High School. The entrance for parking at the school will be clearly marked with electronic signs and law enforcement. Law enforcement partners will be on hand to direct traffic, and fire rescue personnel will be available to shuttle guests as needed.
