The MEMO Blog

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. 

Sculptor, welder, and metalworker Rafe Greco - who met his wife Bianca while working at Ground Zero with the Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 79 - recalls his experience as a rescue and recovery worker after 9/11. 

Charlie Kaczorowski was with the Department of Design & Construction on September 11; he spent months at Ground Zero helping with rescue and recovery efforts. Kaczorowski died this March. Today we honor his sacrifice with a special blog post culled from past Museum interviews. 

Dennis Diggins, who served as Deputy Director at Fresh Kills for the Department of Sanitation during the rescue and recovery efforts, answers some questions about his experience in the periods both immediately and long after September 11. 

Ada Dolch was a New York City educator who helped get her students and fellow staff to safety on the morning of September 11. She lost her sister, Wendy, in the attacks. This Teacher Appreciation Week, we are proud to share Dolch's story. 

With the 20th anniversary of the formal end of rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero approaching, we're highlighting the stories of those most directly involved and impacted. Here, to mark National Correctional Officers Week, NYC DOC officer Philip Rizzo answers a Q&A.