(September 11, 2012) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The UAW/Chrysler Local 412 Veterans Committee will hold a commemorative ceremony today dedicating a piece of steel from the World Trade Centers in honor of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks.

This event is part of an effort by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to deliver salvaged steel artifacts from the World Trade Center to local venues throughout the country to mark the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, in which nearly 3,000 people lost their lives.

The public agency has so far fulfilled more than 2,000 requests for pieces of steel from the towers which are displayed at venues in all 50 U.S. states and at locations as far away as China. Chrysler Group is one of the first for-profit companies to receive and display a piece of the twin towers.

"Chrysler Group is honored to be part of this sacred mission to create a profound and tangible reminder of that tragic day eleven years ago," said Al Iacobelli, Vice President, Employee Relations, Chrysler Group LLC. "We are proud of our employees who worked so hard to bring this permanent reminder of those events to our corporate headquarters."

"The committee felt the presence of a piece of the World Trade Center in one of the largest office buildings in the country would serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made to preserve our freedom," said Wayne Smith, Chairman of the UAW/Chrysler Local 412 Veterans Committee. "We are honored to be the custodian of this artifact on behalf of all employees of the Chrysler Group for generations to come."

"Many talented Chrysler Group employees contributed to the painstaking, year-long process required to create this stunning memorial," said General Holiefield, UAW Vice President and Director of the Chrysler Department.

"It is a powerful symbol of the indomitable spirit of the American people and the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform who serve the cause of liberty. More than 600 union members, mostly first responders, were among those who perished in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania on 9/11. Let us never forget them or others who have lost their lives since then to help ensure that freedom endures."

The UAW Local 412 Chrysler Veterans Committee is comprised of a cross section of Chrysler Group employees. Its purpose is to provide support for veterans, those on active military duty and their families.