Ceremony and memorial at Dry Fork Station

Topping out the steel. Everybody on site at Dry Fork Station knows what it is.
(Mike McDonald/Ironworkers LU 27): Ceremonys an ancient tradition, where when buildings were finished, they had parties and put a tree on them and called them topping out parties.
(Kirk Grant/Babcock & Wilcox): Supposed to bring the building and the occupants good luck.
You take the final beam of steel, put a Christmas tree and an American flag on it, and hoist it up into place.
(Mike McDonald/Ironworkers LU 27): Theres a lot of excitement. Its good to have the building finished.
(Kirk Grant/Babcock & Wilcox): I believe the Norwegians started it. When theyd build ships they used to do it. Or a new home. Dont ask me why.
(Mike McDonald/Ironworkers LU 27): (shrugs) Custom.
Thats how it happens with these things. Sometimes, you dont know why you do them.
(Mike McDonald/Ironworkers LU 27): Just tradition. More tradition than anything.
(Tracie): Do you know how that started? Why a tree? (Mike McDonald/Ironworkers LU 27): I cant tell you. Im old, but Im not that old. (laughs)
(Tracie): And then why the flag. (Kirk Grant/Babcock & Wilcox): Because its America. Its where we live.
Before they start topping out the steel, the Ironworkers and Babcock and Wilcox employees celebrate a safety milestone with grilled burgers. Then, they gather for the 75-foot lift.
(Kirk Grant/Babcock & Wilcox): Well just get the two guys up there, get them in place, well hoist it. You guys can take all your pictures. And then well go back to work. (laughs)
(Ron Rose/Babcock & Wilcox): Lets hope it doesnt take more than three or four minutes. (Tracie): Oh really? Three or four minutes? Then back to work? (Ron Rose): Back to work.
Dry Fork Station project manager Clyde Bush even takes time out of a family vacation to see this.
You getting ready to put the rigging back on the hook? (radio sounds)
And with all the tradition and ceremony that goes into a day like this, the man who wouldve been operating the crane isnt here today. Chuck has taken his place.
(Kirk Grant/Babcock & Wilcox): Rowland. One of the operators passed away last week.
A week before the end of the job, the man who would be operating this crane died in his home.
(Kirk Grant/Babcock & Wilcox): Week ago, what Sunday? (Ron Rose): Week ago Sunday. 46 years old. Died of a heart attack.
Hard hat stickers, and a beam of steel -- a dedication to Rowland Harstad.
(Kirk Grant/Babcock & Wilcox): And well set this in his memory.
Topping out the steel has a little more meaning this time. The building is finished but with an ache because one member of the crew isnt here for the ceremony.

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