Acknowledging the Connection

The new policy acknowledges the deep connection that many post-9/11 veterans have to the memorial and museum. Josh Cherwin, Chief Advancement and Communications Officer at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, shared insights about this initiative, emphasizing the significance of September 11, 2001, as a pivotal moment for many Americans.

“For countless Americans, September 11, 2001, was a call to serve,” Cherwin stated. “That day defined a generation of first responders, students who enlisted in the weeks afterward, and young people who chose to serve as they learned what happened on 9/11.”

He highlighted that nearly 100 million Americans today have no direct memory of the events of that day, including many of the newest recruits bravely serving in the U.S. armed forces. “By welcoming every veteran and service member to experience the Museum free of charge, we can honor their service and educate a new generation,” he added.

Personal Stories of Service

John Paluska, a retired Army Green Beret and member of the museum’s Visionary Leadership Council, shared his personal connection to the events of 9/11. As an 18-year-old freshman at Fordham University, Paluska volunteered at Ground Zero after the attacks. His vivid recollections of the scene underscore the profound impact of that day on his life.

“I remember the smell distinctly,” Paluska recalled. “The firemen, the beacons going off whenever there was kind of subtle silence, and the sights of the American flags slowly being draped.” This experience shifted his life trajectory, leading him to enlist in the military a month later.

Paluska’s military career included service as a U.S. Army Green Beret, with deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq. He emphasizes the importance of educating the next generation about the 9/11 attacks and their lasting implications. “There are young Americans in uniform today who weren’t alive on September 11th, and many who served because of it,” he noted.

The Weight of Reflection

For many veterans, visiting the memorial plaza offers a place for solace and reflection on their experiences and losses throughout the years. “You look up and you see the Freedom Tower, One World Trade, and you realize how great that we have it,” Paluska stated, highlighting the resilience represented by the new structures in New York City.

Another poignant story shared by the museum is that of Ron Bucca Jr., whose father, FDNY Fire Marshal Ron Bucca Sr., lost his life in the September 11 attacks. Bucca Jr. later served as a Green Beret himself, and the ties between his father’s sacrifice and his own service run deep.

“My father gave his life on September 11th, and that day set the course of my own service and the service of a generation of Americans,” Bucca Jr. remarked. “For those of us who served because of that day, this museum is personal.”

Broader Accessibility Initiatives

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has made strides in ensuring that its doors are open to a wide array of individuals connected to the events of that day. The museum grants free admission not only to veterans but also to 9/11 family members, rescue and recovery workers, those eligible for the World Trade Center Health Program, and immediate family members of those who have succumbed to 9/11-related conditions.

This initiative reflects a commitment to honoring those impacted by the attacks and ensuring their stories are preserved for future generations.

Looking Ahead to Commemoration

The museum anticipates the upcoming 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, set to be commemorated on September 11, 2026. This milestone serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of that day and the ongoing need to remember and honor those who served and sacrificed in its aftermath.