25 Years Later: 9/11 Memorial & Museum Launches New Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 3, 2026

25 YEARS LATER: 9/11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE THE 100 MILLION AMERICANS TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER 9/11

Nationwide PSA Will Highlight Children of 9/11 Heroes Who Live the Legacy of Service Today, and Those Born After 9/11 Who Uphold Promise to Never Forget 

Michael R. Bloomberg, Chairman of 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Pledges New Match Gift XXX to 'The Never Forget Fund'

New York, NY – Today the 9/11 Memorial & Museum launched a new campaign for The Never Forget Fund, a way for Americans to come together, affirm our promise to never forget those killed, and support 9/11 education as the 25th anniversary of the attacks approaches. 100 million Americans alive today – representing one-third of the U.S. population – have no lived memory of September 11, 2001, and did not witness the unity, compassion, and service that defined our nation’s response. This new campaign will build awareness of the continued significance of 9/11, reveal powerful stories of service that have unfolded over the last quarter century, and help ensure the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is an enduring place of commemoration, education, and inspiration for future generations.

To launch the new campaign, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum created a public service announcement highlighting a new generation of Americans who were inspired by 9/11 heroes, including their own parents and loved ones, to pursue public service. To see the PSA and learn more about the campaign, visit www.neverforget.org. 

The campaign, which raises essential funds for 9/11 education and is led by 9/11 Memorial & Museums Trustees Russel L. Carson, Kenneth I. Chenault, and Scott Rechler, has secured $25 million in initial gifts. Today, 9/11 Memorial & Museum Chairman Michael R. Bloomberg announced a new gift, matching the next XXX raised. To date, he has given about $70 million in direct support over his nearly 20 years as Chairman.  

“As our nation approaches the 25th anniversary of one of the darkest days in its 250-year history, we must redouble our efforts to ensure Americans never forget what happened on 9/11 and how we responded. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is dedicated to honoring the lives of those we lost, uplifting the service and sacrifice of our first responders, and educating young people across the country who did not live that tragic day. The Never Forget Fund will support this critical mission for generations to come,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, Chairman of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

“Today, 100 million Americans understand 9/11 as a moment in history – not a lived experience. That’s why the work we do to commemorate, educate, and inspire is more important than ever, and why we must continue to reach new visitors, learners, and supporters with our mission. I’m grateful to the 9/11 community members who entrust their stories to us, and to the individuals, companies, and organizations ensuring our promise to never forget does not waiver 25 years ,” said Beth Hillman, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. 

The campaign in support of The Never Forget Fund strives to: 

• Reach a new generation of visitors and learners by opening a landmark exhibition featuring stories of 9/11 inspired service, teaching 20 million students, and training 100,00 professionals 

• Establish a permanent funding source to ensure that the 9/11 Memorial & Museum remains a lasting place of learning for generations to come 

• Grant expanded access and free programs for students, educators, first responders, veterans, and New Yorkers. 

Presenting Partners of The Never Forget Fund include Bank of America, The Bisignano Family, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Carson Family Charitable Trust, Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault, Fiserv, Northlight Foundation, Rechler Philanthropy, The Starr Foundation, The Walt Disney Company, and Wilf Family Foundations. A full listing of The Never Forget Fund supporters is available at neverforget.org. 

This public service announcement, produced by national advocacy firm Avoq, features individuals whose 9/11 experiences inspired them to dedicate their lives to serving others as firefighters, police officers, and volunteers. It also highlights the family of 9/11 victims born after 9/11, who have since taken up the promise to never forget. The video includes:  

• Rebecca Asaro, whose firefighter father, Carl, never made it home on 9/11. But through the meaningful work Rebecca does as an FDNY firefighter at Engine 54, her dad’s old company, he’s still with her every day. Four of six Asaro siblings followed in their father’s footsteps and joined the FDNY in his honor.  

• 11-year-old Kylie Corrigan, whose grandfather was retired FDNY Captain James J. Corrigan. James Corrigan retired from the FDNY in 1994 after more than 25 years of service, but his dedication never wavered. As fire and safety director at the World Trade Center, he courageously led 20 children from a nearby day care center to safety on September 11, 2001, and was helping firefighters establish a communications center when he was killed in the South Tower collapse. Kylie and her sisters have read their grandfather’s name at the annual commemoration ceremony. Inspired by James’s legacy, both Brendan Corrigan — Kylie’s father — and her uncle joined the FDNY after 9/11.  

• James Dowdell, whose life was shaped by the legacy of his father, Kevin Dowdell, a dedicated FDNY firefighter killed on 9/11. In 2006, James graduated from the FDNY Academy and received his father’s badge number. He was assigned to Rescue 2 in Brooklyn and promoted to lieutenant on what would have been Kevin’s 70th birthday — the same rank his father held. His brother Patrick, inspired by their father as well, graduated from West Point and served as an officer in the U.S. Military.  

• Nick Montoro, a Red Cross volunteer who was inspired by his father Sal’s participation in recovery operations at Ground Zero. Sal worked at an area lumber company and hauled building material to the site in the immediate aftermath. Injured onsite, he received care from Red Cross volunteers, which motivated Nick to get involved in the Red Cross, dedicating thousands of volunteer hours.  

• 10-year-old Tommy Riches, who never met his Uncle Jimmy, a New York City firefighter who was killed on 9/11, a day before his 30th birthday. He was last seen carrying an injured woman from the North Tower lobby. Last year, for the first time, Tommy read aloud the names of those killed— including his uncle, Jimmy Riches — at the annual 9/11 commemoration ceremony.  

• Bryan and Chris Strauss, whose father Scott Strauss — a detective with the NYPD’s elite Emergency Service Unit — was awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor for responding and rescuing survivors at the World Trade Center on the day of the attacks. In 2024 — 20 years after their father retired from the Emergency Services Unit — Bryan and Chris joined it, becoming part of the prestigious team that takes on a range of high-risk situations.   

• Keith Walcott, Jr., a Port Authority Police Department officer whose father, Keith Walcott, Sr., had responded to the 1993 bombing with the PAPD as part of the evacuation team and also participated in the recovery efforts after September 11, 2001.  

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ABOUT THE 9/11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM
A quarter century after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is the country’s principal institution concerned with exploring 9/11, documenting its impact, and examining its continuing significance. This mission is advanced through commemoration, education, and inspiration. Located on eight of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center site, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum remembers and honors the 2,983 lives lost on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. Through exhibitions, a wide variety of programs, and commemorative events, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum seeks to educate the public – particularly the 100 million Americans born since the attacks or those too young to remember – about the consequences of terrorism and its impact on individuals and communities. Through preserving and sharing stories of resilience, compassion, and service, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum hopes to inspire individuals to build a more compassionate and secure world.

For more information or to reserve a ticket to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, please visit 911memorial.org.

MEDIA INQUIRIES
Garrett Levine | (954) 464-4015 | press@911memorial.org