"The Barstow fire department had a memorial created to pay tribute to their firefighting comrades who died in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. A large fiberglass FDNY fire helmet replica sits next to the Barstow Fire District Headquarters, the Roadside America reports.

"The helmet is stylishly topped by a golden eagle's head, and the number on the shield is "343." That's how many members of the New York City fire department lost their lives in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

Photo above: World's Largest Fire Helmet Sculpture: world record set in Barstow, California. Photo by: Fotospot

"The helmet is a FDNY fire helmet replica, is topped with a large golden eagle head, and bears the number "343" on the shield, which is the number of members of the New York City Fire Department that died in the collapsing of the Twin Towers, the Weird California reports.

"The fire department in Barstow paid tribute to the fire fighters who died on September 11th, 2001 by building a memorial in the form of a large fire helmet in front of their district headquarters, Fire Station 361."

Firefighter's helmet

"For centuries, firefighters have worn helmets to protect them from heat, cinders and falling objects. Although the shape of most fire helmets has changed little over the years, their composition has evolved from traditional leather to metals (including brass, nickel and aluminum), to composite helmets constructed of lightweight polymers and other plastics." (wikipedia)

Barstow is a city in San Bernardino County, California, in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. Located in the Inland Empire region of California, the population was 25,415 at the 2020 census. Barstow is an important crossroads for the Inland Empire and home to Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow.

"An outstanding tribute to fallen comrades by those in the same profession, thousands of miles away. Strongly suggest that every tourist, guest, or visitor to Barstow visit this memorial and pay their respect to these fallen heroes."

"What a great memorial to those firepersons of 911. Stop at the museum and go to see."

"After viewing the 911 memorial, we went inside the firehouse and met with the Fire Chief, Jamie Williams. She had an informative conversation with our 9yr old granddaughter, and she posed for a picture with here."

"After the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York City on 11 September 2001, the Barstow Fire Department built this Giant Fire Helmet to pay respect for their fellow fire fighters who parish in this attack on America. This memorial is a replica of the New York Fire Department (NYFD) helmet, with the head of a large golden eagle adoring the top of the helmet. The number “343” is display in red on a white shield on the front of the black helmet. This number represents the number of firefighters who lost their lives that day. The black helmet denotes the rank of a basic firefighter."