A generation of Americans has no memory of 9/11.
At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we're preserving the stories of those who experienced it so they can be shared with generations to come. We must never forget the pain we endured, the heroism we witnessed, or the togetherness we felt.
Your story is part of our history. Will you share it?
Gary's Story
Every American alive then remembers that moment and can answer the inevitable question: “Where were you when you first heard the news?” I stared at the television in shock and disbelief, along with the entire country, as we watched smoke pour from the twin towers of the World Trade Center. We watched on live television as people leapt to their deaths from the top floors. Then, another report came in that a third airplane had crashed into the Pentagon. About twenty minutes later, a fourth airplane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We later learned it was United Flight 93, seemingly bound for the White House, until the passengers courageously chose to take back the plane.
History At Risk
Only 14 states require education about 9/11. Those who lived through it carry memories no history book can capture. Sharing our experiences helps future generations understand what happened that day and how America responded.
Your story preserves the courage, sacrifice, and compassion shown during one of our nation’s darkest moments. Will you share it?
Every story preserves the history of September 11th for generations to come.
Stories We'll Never Forget
“I felt such a sense of loss but also profound pride in how our nation came together during that time. It was truly remarkable. Tragedy has a way of bringing people together despite their differences.”
“as it turned out my aunt had picked us up, because my mom still had not heard from my dad; my dad who had been scheduled to fly back to California on a United Airlines Flight that morning out of Newark Airport.”
“That day changed the course of my life. I knew I had to serve my country. A few years later, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, determined to do my part to help ensure that what happened on September 11th would never happen again.”
“Everywhere you went, thousands of “Missing Person” flyers were tacked to walls and signposts on every corner of every block. The Xeroxed faces ripped my heart out. Because I, like everyone else who saw them, knew these people would never be found.”
“We trained for years for combat, but we had never imagined standing guard on an American military base after an attack on our own country. We were on the highest state of alert, confused, worried, angry, and honestly… scared.”
“Everywhere you went, thousands of “Missing Person” flyers were tacked to walls and signposts on every corner of every block. The Xeroxed faces ripped my heart out. Because I, like everyone else who saw them, knew these people would never be found.”
“as it turned out my aunt had picked us up, because my mom still had not heard from my dad; my dad who had been scheduled to fly back to California on a United Airlines Flight that morning out of Newark Airport.”
“Amy was just 35 years old when she became an American hero on September 11, 2001. Since 2002, the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery has been awarded to a Massachusetts resident who displayed extraordinary courage in defending or saving the lives of others.”
“That day changed the course of my life. I knew I had to serve my country. A few years later, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, determined to do my part to help ensure that what happened on September 11th would never happen again.”
“At this point, the reality was setting in that our country was being attacked by using the aircraft, our crew, and passengers as their weapon. I remember being very nervous to open the door to the aircraft, not knowing if there were hijackers possibly on this plane too.”
“More than anything, I remember the people who ran toward danger to help others. Even after all these years, their courage and sacrifice are what I think about when September 11 comes around.”
“The role typically didn’t require much, but what had taken place in the US was quickly changing everything. With my dad at work on the main base and no idea when he’d be able to get back home, it was on my mom and I to make sure every family in our building knew that America was under attack.”
“Then, around 9:45 am, several of our yard workers rushed in to say that a huge plane had turned around over the yard & kilns, at a very low altitude. We later found out that this plane was the one that crashed in Shanksville, PA with our heroes aboard, around 10:00 a.m.”
“I felt such a sense of loss but also profound pride in how our nation came together during that time. It was truly remarkable. Tragedy has a way of bringing people together despite their differences.”
“At the end of the show, the entire theater broke out into a heartfelt rendition of "God Bless America." I learned later other theaters did the same.”
“I was 3 years old on 9/11. All I remember was my mom picked me up from preschool, and it was so strange because she had just dropped me off. We were the only ones in the pick-up line.”
