The MEMO Blog

Our ongoing Q&A series "In Their Own Voices" — created to highlight the diversity and previously unimaginable undertaking of the 9/11 rescue and recovery community — continues this month with filmmaker and advocate Bridget Gormley, whose firefighter father William (Billy) died in 2017 from lung and bladder cancer caused by exposure to toxins at at Ground Zero. 

After the 2017 Westminster Bridge terrorist attack in London left him seriously injured, Travis Frain became an advocate for victims of similar past — and future — acts of violence. In this guest blog post, he explains how terrorism reshaped his perspectives and the ways the 9/11 community inspires his advocacy works.

Just four years old on September 11th, Kerry Pfaff and Ella Hester are now interpretive guides at the Memorial & Museum. Ahead of the 21st anniversary, they spoke to each other about what "Never Forget" means to them.

Visitors to the Memorial & Museum are in good "paws" with K9 team members like Rookie and Teddy on the job. 

Ashley Nicolas, a Visionary who works as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, hosted a special tour for summer interns in her office to underscore the dedication that goes into a career in public service. 

A statement from Alice M. Greenwald, President and CEO of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, on the killing of top al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri. 

Our new blog series "In Their Own Voices" is an expansion of the Q&As we published in May to mark the 20th anniversary of the formal end to rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero. This series continues to highlight the diversity and previously unimaginable undertaking of the rescue and recovery community. August's installment features Gary Smiley, an FDNY paramedic. 

Winding down Disability Pride Month, we're sharing the story of Port Authority associate accountant John Abruzzo, who, on 9/11, brought his newly customized power wheelchair to work on the North Tower's 69th floor. But it was a much simpler device - and loyal co-workers - that would ultimately save his life that day.

A stuffed bear and two dinosaurs that belonged to Zoe and Dana Falkenberg, who were killed on Flight 77 with their parents as they began a family adventure, are among items newly on display at the Museum. The toys powerfully encapsulate the tragedy of 9/11. 

With the 21st anniversary commemoration approaching, find out what you can do to help restore a 9/11 memorial in your area through the Visionary Network's Memorial Beautification Initiative.