Actor Gary Sinise is participating in a multifaceted effort to ensure the history and impact of the September 11, 2001, attacks remain vivid for younger generations who have no direct memory of the events. Sinise, through his foundation, supports educational trips to significant sites like Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
"It's not just about how America was attacked but remembering how Americans answered," Sinise stated. "We want to change the slogan 'Never forget' that was made by people who were there to witness the Trade Center tragedies to 'We remember,' for future generations who weren't there and only know it as a story someone told them."
Sinise is lending his voice to a new documentary, "The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph," directed by Michael Gier. The film is set to premiere on September 8 at AMC Empire 25 in Times Square. Chris Meek, executive producer for the documentary, also leads SoldierStrong and the 9/11 Legacy Foundation, which has developed a national educational curriculum for all age groups.
The Gary Sinise Foundation, established by the actor in 2011, has long supported military members, veterans, and their families. Sinise's humanitarian work was significantly influenced by his role as Lieutenant Dan in the 1994 film "Forrest Gump."
Other organizations are also contributing to 9/11 education. The College of Staten Island, Tunnel to Towers, and the Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund are collaborating on a video-based curriculum about 9/11, which will be offered at the college and distributed via SILive.com. Massimo DiDonna, founder and president of the Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund, noted the absence of a comprehensive curriculum and standardized narrative for 9/11, emphasizing its importance as the 25th anniversary approaches.
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced an allocation of $1 million for free school field trips to the 9/11 Museum. "As we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11, it is more important than ever that a new generation of New Yorkers understands what happened that day and carries forward the stories of those we lost," Menin said.
Beth Hillman, President & CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, highlighted that approximately 100 million Americans are too young to recall the events of 9/11, underscoring the critical role of educational programming. The Gary Sinise Foundation encourages individuals who experienced the 9/11 tragedy to share their personal stories, believing these accounts can help future generations comprehend the significance of that day and the national promise to remember.
