RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia State Police received a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center in New York City on Monday that will become a fixture at the agency's academy ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The historic beam was presented by the Freedom Fl ag Foundation on Monday, May 11, as part of the organization's historic National Freedom Flag and World Trade Center Steel Education program, which aims to establish partnerships in all 50 states to educate the next generation about 9/11, authorities said in a press release. The donation, which coincides with the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, also takes places during National Police Week, which honors fallen officers and recognizes those who serve. (Photo: Forrest Shelor/8News)(Photo: Virginia State Police)(Photo: Forrest Shelor/8News)(Photo: Forrest Shelor/8News)(Photo: Virginia State Police)(Photo: Virginia State Police) "We are grateful for the opportunity to help preserve this piece of history and ensure future generations never forget the strength, unity, and resilience that emerged from one of our nation’s darkest days," state police said in a May 12 social post. The organization obtained ownership of the steel artifact 15 years prior, in 2011, from Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. The section reportedly came from part of exterior column 206, which supported floors 92 to 95 on the east face of the north tower. Authorities said the beam was located near the area where American Airlines Flight 11 struck the tower, creating a massive impact hole between floors 92 and 98 and causing extensive damage to the east face of the building. The section given to police likely sustained damage from either the impact or the fires that followed. ...read more read less