9/11 Memorial and Museum Offers Free Admission to Veterans
In a move to honor veterans, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum announced it will provide free admission to all veterans starting this Friday, just ahead of Memorial Day. This initiative is part of a broader effort to recognize the significant impact the 9/11 attacks had on American lives and military service.
The museum’s initiative adds to its existing free admission policy for active-duty military members and aims to acknowledge the connection many veterans from the post-9/11 era have with the memorial and museum.
“September 11, 2001, was more than just a day; it was a call to service for so many people,” said Josh Cherwin, the director of public relations for the memorial. He elaborated that this day fundamentally impacted a generation of first responders and those who enlisted shortly after the attacks.
Interestingly, almost 100 million Americans today have no direct memory of 9/11, including many who chose to join the military in its aftermath. “By offering all veterans and service members a chance to visit the museum for free, we honor their legacy and help educate younger generations,” Cherwin noted.
Connecting Young Americans to 9/11
John Paluska, a retired Army Green Beret and part of the museum’s Visionary Leadership Council, emphasized that the museum serves a purpose beyond history. He recalls that he was just 18 and a freshman at Fordham University when he volunteered at Ground Zero after the attacks. “The smell, the voices of firefighters, and the sight of an American flag becoming obscured—it all stays with you,” he reflected.
Paluska’s experience led him to enlist just a month later, ultimately serving as a Green Beret in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He believes it’s vital for future generations to understand the events of 9/11 and their aftermath. “Many young Americans in uniform now weren’t even born at the time, yet some joined the military because of that day,” he remarked. He’s proud of how the museum strives to keep the memory alive.
Experiencing Reflection at the Memorial
Paluska mentioned how many veterans share a profound connection with the memorial. “We have to prevent history from repeating itself. War is devastating,” he expressed. He noted that walking through the memorial plaza offers comfort as veterans reflect on the victims and the aftermath of the attacks.
He also pointed out the impressive sight of the Freedom Tower as part of the landscape. The resilience shown through the monument, in contrast to the tragic events, is striking. The museum shared another poignant story of Ron Booka Jr., whose father, FDNY Fire Marshal Ron Booka Sr., lost his life on 9/11. “My father’s sacrifice influenced my service and that of many others,” Booka Jr. remarked, echoing the sentiment that the museum holds personal significance for many who have served.
The museum is also extending free access to the families of 9/11 victims, rescue and recovery workers, and others impacted by the attacks. Notably, the 25th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks is approaching on September 11, 2026, marking a significant moment for reflection and remembrance.
