Rescue & Recovery at 20: Highlights from the Milestone Commemoration

  • June 7, 2022
Uniformed officers carry flags in a procession on the plaza
Photo: Jin S. Lee

On May 30, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum held a special ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the formal end to rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero. Taking place at the Memorial Glade, the ceremony - which was open to the public - honored the brave men and women who served as rescue, recovery, and relief workers as well as the individuals who are sick from or have died of 9/11-related illnesses. 

An honor guard and pipe and drums representing multiple city agencies began the ceremony, ahead of an FDNY bell ringing that ushered in a moment of silence. Regina Wilson, a 9/11 FDNY firefighter, diversity advocate, and speaker in the 2022 Anniversary in the Schools webinar, performed the national anthem. With an audience including members of the FDNY, NYPD, PAPD and Port Authority, OCME, and New York City Departments of Design and Construction, Sanitation, Correction, Buildings, and Parks, welcomed several speakers including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman Jerry Nadler, and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. All highlighted the selflessness, kindness, and unity demonstrated on 9/11 and in the weeks that followed, underscoring the importance of those traits in our everyday lives. John Feal, the founder of the FealGood Foundation and an advocate for 9/11 first responders and survivors, also addressed attendees. He spoke about individuals still dealing with 9/11-related health concerns and recognized the lasting impact of the day. The ceremony then concluded with Alice M. Greenwald, our President and CEO, reading the Memorial Glade inscription.

The May 30, 2002 Commemoration is made possible in part by support from Joel S. Marcus, Executive Chairman & Founder, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc./Alexandria Venture Investments. 

Special thanks as well to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Buildings and Trades, including ironworkers, boilermakers, electricians, teamsters, operating and structural engineers, sheet metal workers, carpenters, laborers, and so many more who were involved with the unprecedented rescue and recovery operations after September 11. 

  • A group of people wearing short sleeves lay flowers on the Memorial Glade
  • Multi-colored flowers on the Memorial Glade
  • A uniformed officer lays a flower on the Memorial Glade
  • Alice Greenwald, our President & CEO, wears a dark dress and stand behind New York governor Kathy Hochul speaking at a podium
  • Uniformed officers line the Glade
  • A woman in a pink tee shirt, with blonde hair, lays a flower on the Glade

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

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