The MEMO Blog

On May 30, a special ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of the official end to formal rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman Jerry Nadler, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and first responder and advocate John Feal all spoke before an audience including members of the many agencies and organizations involved in the unprecedented operations after the attacks. 

Fleet Week 2002 - during which members of the USS Iwo Jima looked on as the Last Column was cut down - has come to stand as symbol of resilience after 9/11. Twenty years later, with Fleet Week 2022 upon us, we look back at its significance. 

The rescue and recovery efforts - which officially came to an end 20 years ago on May 30 - had many arms. Lila Nordstrom parlayed her experience as a high school student on 9/11 into a life of health care advocacy. In today's post, the author and activist - who fought to ensure lower Manhattan students were covered under the Zadroga Act - shares her motivational story.   

Anthony Palmieri, a Department of Sanitation worker, was uptown the morning of September 11th and managed to make it home to New Jersey later that day. But it wasn't long before he was back in the city, playing an integral role in the rescue and recovery effort at Ground Zero. Here, Palmieri answers some questions about the nine months he spent there and what May 30th means to him.  

September 11th ultimately became the first day of Dr. Alison Thompson's full-time humanitarian first responder career. She spent nine months at Ground Zero. In today's installment of our series marking the 20th anniversary of the formal end to rescue and recovery operations, Thompson shares her personal recollections and perspectives. 

Suffolk County detective Phil Alvarez lost his brother Luis, an NYPD detective who spent months at Ground Zero, to 9/11-related cancer. In today's installment of our series highlighting those involved in and impacted by the unprecedented rescue and recovery efforts, Alvarez recalls his own experience and how his brother's ordeal led him to a life of advocacy in the years after the attacks. 

Rob Serra left the FDNY Training Academy a mere one day before the attacks of 9/11. As we gear up for the 20th anniversary of the formal end to rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero, he talks about his ordeal and the long-lasting impact it had on his life and career. 

Salvatore (Sal) Annerino was a district superintendent for the New York City Department of Sanitation on 9/11, then spent the next nine months at the site. Ahead of the 20th anniversary of the formal end to rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero, Annerino answers a Q&A for us about his personal memories and experiences in that uniquely horrific situation.  

The German Shepherd Atlas was among hundreds of 9/11 canine heroes. Here, as we prepare to mark the 20th anniversary of the formal end to rescue and recovery efforts, his handler Robert (Bob) Schnelle, NYPD, answers a Q&A about his time at Ground Zero.  

We marked International Museum Day with a special Survivor Tree lighting ceremony in support of our museum colleagues and the people of Ukraine.