The 3,000-pound sculpture was stuck in customs at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens when the terrorist attacks in New York City took place. It was supposed to be shipped to the State Firefighters Association in Missouri, but didn't make it out of New York.

David DeCarlo, president of Matthews International Bronze division, said that the statue is "in New York for a reason."

DeCarlo persuaded New York City officials to find a place for the statue.

You want to help in some way," DeCarlo said. "You can give blood or money, but I was thinking, 'It's in New York, it's got to be destined for New York.'

"We are all in this together, but the people of New York and D.C. -- they've been bombed. It's totally different. They feel we are at war. And I wish everyone could go up and see this, because it makes you really want to do something."

People have made phone calls and sent e-mails to thank the company for giving them some place to grieve.

Matthews International is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of custom-made products which are used to identify people, places, and events.

The company produces the plaques for baseball's immortals at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Matthews International made Bill Mazeroski's plaque for this year's ceremony.