On May 27, Cardozo students and staff from the NJROTC and Journalism programs, as well as student-athletes from the wrestling team, visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Manhattan. The trip was organized through the Gary Sinise Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports military veterans, first responders, and their families.
Located at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City, the 9/11 Memorial Museum tells the story of September 11 through media, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts. The exhibits throughout the memorial and museum present visitors with personal stories of loss, recovery, and hope.
Students and staff were accompanied by museum staff for a guided tour throughout each exhibit, and then attended panels where they were able to hear from the museum’s educational director, staff who work for the Gary Sinise Foundation, and also guest speakers who have close ties to 9/11 itself.
Gary Sinise, American actor, director, and humanitarian, provided students with the opportunity to learn more about the tragic events in history by organizing these trips and panels. This is the second year that Chief Chen, NJROTC instructor, organized the trip alongside the foundation for Cardozo staff and students.
“We’re bringing students to places where history becomes real, from The National WWII Museum to the 9/11 Memorial,” he said, in a video played for students. “We’re also providing scholarship opportunities for family members of fallen or disabled heroes and workshops for the leaders of tomorrow.”
His team notes, Sinise’s life’s work has been to honor and support our nation’s veterans, first responders, wounded heroes, families of the fallen, and those enduring invisible wounds.
On the panel, John, a retired FDNY firefighter spoke about his experiences, being a first responder at the World Trade Center on the day 9/11 occurred. He shared the play-by-play of his day, talking about the thoughts that went through his mind and the friends he had lost throughout the minutes that went back during that tragic morning. Losing a close friend of his, he shared that he lives with the memories of his selflessness every day.
U.S. Navy Corpsman, Daniel “Doc” Jacobs also spoke with staff and students, sharing how 9/11 impacted him and inspired him to serve his country.
According to the foundation, “6 months into his 7-month deployment, Doc’s patrol was struck by an IED. After switching vehicles and rearranging members, they headed back to base. On the way, his Humvee was struck by a triple stack IED.”
During the accident, Doc was injured to the extent that he underwent amputations. However, he does not let any of his injuries stop him. He runs marathons and is currently one of the top bobsledders in the nation.
When asked about his motivation, and how he continues, he answered with the phrase: “Live for those that aren’t with us anymore.”
Doc emphasized the importance of being the ““light” for them to be a good example because, “I feel like living a good life for them [is] a good way to report back to those families. That is how I honor them.”
Both Assistant Principal Mr. Georgatos and Chief Chen gifted the panel speaks with Cardozo NJRTOC shirts, thanking them for spending their day talking to students and staff.
After the interviews and panels, students were able to see pieces of history and learn the context with tour guides.
“I really liked how detailed the tour guides were,” journalism teacher Mrs. Gutterman said. “Especially as someone who was alive when 9/11 happened, but being really young…I don’t remember it as vividly as some adults do. Seeing all of this and hearing the stories really hit home.”
One wrestler who attended the trip shared, “The Memorial and Museum definitely taught me a lot…before this, I only knew the general points of 9/11.”
“I would recommend everyone to give this museum a visit,” said an NJROTC cadet. “Hearing the stories of two of many 9/11 heroes changed how I think about things.”
