I went to New York with an emptiness in me. I had lost my faith in mankind and was fearful for our future. I came back from New York with strengthened faith. I was humbled by what I saw and who I met and by the privilege of being a Red Cross worker, an American, a human being. Thank you for allowing me to serve and supporting me while I did so.

Cristina Hammond, Red Cross New Hampshire/Vermont 

People waited for several hours to donate [blood]. Local groceries brought food and beverages for the donors and staff. People stayed until well after midnight. But the person I remember most of all was a young Muslim woman in a hijab who sat alone in a chair and quietly waited to donate; her head bowed in silence. I think that was one of the bravest things I witnessed that day.

Elizabeth Wixom

NY Penn Region Blood Services 

I moved from lower Manhattan to Arlington, Virginia, on September 9, 2001. I looked back on the Twin Towers after transiting the Holland Tunnel glimmering in the light from the sunset. I was in our backyard in Arlington two days later when I heard the plane had hit the Pentagon. Seven WTC fell on my classroom where I taught at Borough of Manhattan Community College. 

Earl Johnson

NHQ and Spiritual Care Aviation Incident Response (SAIR) Team 

The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville is a time to remember those who lost their lives, honor survivors and their families, recognize the extraordinary efforts of first responders and relief workers, and reinforce the importance of preparedness, resilience and service in our communities.

This 25^th anniversary also is an important moment to remember and recognize the tremendous work by so many Red Cross staff and volunteers to respond to a nation facing a new normal after a series of attacks that had been considered unimaginable. 

The American Red Cross Alumni Network (ARCAN) asked those who responded to 9/11 to share their memories and stories from those days, when one of the worst days for our nation brought out the best of its people. 

ARCAN thanks everyone with the Red Cross across the country who responded to 9/11; and we are grateful to those who have shared their stories 25 years later.

Christopher Franklin

U.S. Air Force officer assigned to the Pentagon

Twenty-five years ago today, I was serving as a U.S. Air Force officer assigned to the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 struck our building.

In the days that followed, I served in the relief and recovery effort at Camp Unity, the support base established at the Pentagon for the thousands of first responders, recovery workers, military personnel and others working around the clock.

What stays with me all these years later is the extraordinary generosity of the people who came to help. The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, North Carolina Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief, chaplains, counselors, medical personnel, businesses and countless volunteers provided food, clothing, supplies, comfort and care. North Carolina Baptist volunteers alone prepared nearly 70,000 meals, while the broader Pentagon feeding effort distributed more than 500,000 meals in 13 days.

On September 11, I witnessed some of the worst of humanity. In the days that followed, I witnessed the very best of the human spirit.

People came from everywhere. They asked for nothing. They simply wanted to serve. I remain profoundly grateful to every person who showed up for us - and for one another.

Cristina Hammond 

New Hampture/Vermont Chapter - 6-12-2002

I went to New York City October 5 as a volunteer member of the Red Cross’s DSHR team and was assigned for 25 days to a Respite Center in the Marriott—2 buildings south of the south tower. I spent my days with the workers at ground zero - police, fire, construction, sanitation, FEMA, OSHA, Secret Service, FBI, Army, Navy -to name a few. What I remember most, what I'd like to share with you, are images - small snapshots of my time there that assailed my senses and touched my soul. 

Most of my images are studies in contrast, yet from contrast I've found balance. A few of the special images that come to mind: The day I arrived at the Marriott was the first day it opened as a Respite Center. Coming in the door of this upscale hotel we had to step over debris and navigate around newly placed electrical cables and special salvage equipment there to dry out the building. We had no heat or air conditioning, no clean water, inconsistent electricity, and everything that wasn't filthy was covered with plastic. But by days end, we had served 7000 meals to the workers at ground zero, given out untold numbers of hard hats, respirators, clean socks, overalls, boots, and other equipment, and had turned banquet and meeting rooms into sleeping areas, first aid, counseling and relaxation rooms...

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Stories Added 9/14/2026

Special submission by Red Cross of Greater New York