25 Years Later: Honoring September 11 Through Service

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, the Capital Region came together to remember, reflect and carry forward the extraordinary spirit of service that emerged in the days following the attacks.

The American Red Cross Eastern New York Region marked the 25th anniversary with a special Day of Remembrance Blood Drive at the Albany Capital Center, bringing together blood donors, volunteers, community partners, elected officials and Red Cross supporters.

For the Red Cross, the day was also an opportunity to remember what happened here at home 25 years ago.

In the hours and days following the attacks, people across the Capital Region were looking for a way to help. At the Red Cross on Everett Road in Albany, people lined up to give blood, with the line stretching outside and around the building. Volunteers stepped forward wherever they were needed.

That same spirit of compassion and service filled the room 25 years later.

“Twenty-five years ago, in the face of unimaginable tragedy, people came together — united by grief and driven by compassion and a desire to serve,” said Kevin Coffey, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Eastern New York Region. “This is how we carry the memory of September 11 forward. We remember those we lost. We honor those who served. And we make sure that the compassion and unity that brought us together 25 years ago continues through us.”

Honoring Those Who Answered the Call

Among the most meaningful moments of the day was the recognition of four Red Cross volunteers who responded following the September 11 attacks.

Bruce Ginsberg served at the respite center at Ground Zero, where he watched a group of strangers become a team dedicated to caring for the hundreds of people working at the site — providing food, clothing and a place to rest.

Roberta Murchison deployed for three weeks and then returned for another three, providing critical mental health support throughout New York City. Her service included working with pilots at LaGuardia Airport who were struggling with the emotional impact of the attacks and their aftermath.

Steve Enright responded at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, providing first aid and helping with Red Cross food distribution at Washington Market Park. While moving closer to the site to see where else he could assist, Steve witnessed the collapse of Building 7 and ran for shelter. He later returned to support recovery efforts from the Stuyvesant High School First Aid and Incident Command Area.

Jeff Fox served as a Red Cross mental health volunteer at Ground Zero, providing emotional support and compassionate care during an extraordinarily difficult time. His service helped support those coping with the trauma, grief and emotional toll of the attacks and the response that followed.

Twenty-five years later, Bruce, Roberta, Steve and Jeff remind us that behind every Red Cross response are people willing to step forward when others are facing the unimaginable.

Remembering Together

The remembrance program included a moment of silence for those who lost their lives and those who responded and served.

Joining the Red Cross for the commemoration were Congressman Paul Tonko, New York State Senator Patricia Fahy, Assemblymember John McDonald, Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and Major General Raymond F. Shields Jr., Adjutant General of New York, along with Red Cross board members, Ready 365 partners, community partners, volunteers and blood donors.

Throughout the morning, dignitaries and guests shared their thoughts and memories of September 11, as well as their hopes for how we can continue to carry forward the compassion, unity and commitment to service that brought people together 25 years ago.

Carrying the Spirit Forward

Following the remembrance ceremony, donors rolled up their sleeves and gave blood — transforming remembrance into an act of service.

It was a fitting tribute to what happened 25 years ago.

In the aftermath of September 11, Americans gave blood. They volunteered. They checked on their neighbors. They cared for people they had never met.

Twenty-five years later, that spirit lives on. We remember through service.

Through every blood donation, every volunteer who answers the call and every person who chooses to serve, we honor those we lost and those who gave so much in the days, weeks and months that followed September 11, 2001.