KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (CBS) — Firefighter Darryl Bacchi and fellow volunteers at the King of Prussia Fire Company have a very special connection to the tragic events at Ground Zero.

Bacchi was close friends with members of Squad 252 in Brooklyn for years before that tragic day. He spent three to four days a week for nine months searching through the smoking ruins, hoping to find them.

The 13 year veteran says the six firefighters from Squad 252 who died that day were visitors here, helping him celebrate his 40th birthday. In return, they made him an honorary member of the New York Fire Department.

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On April 7th, Bacchi and the King of Prussia volunteers drove to New York City to bring back two twisted steel beams.

They are now hoping to raise $30,000 to build the Memorial. If you want to help, you can learn more on their website at www.kpvfc.com.

Finally, regarding Bin Laden’s death, Bacchi says,”he had to go”.

But with the Memorial, the memories of those Brooklyn firefighters, along with the other victims, will be preserved always outside the King of Prussia firehouse. 

Reported by Walt Hunter, CBS 3