Firefighters and Soldiers Share 9/11 Stories With Massapequa High School Students

Nine graders at Massapequa High School’s Ames Campus heard firsthand accounts from seven guest speakers on Oct. 22. The presenters included firefighters, a police officer, and a military officer who shared their experiences from Sept. 11, 2001, and subsequent service in Afghanistan.

The event served as a preparation step for the students’ scheduled visits to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City. More than 200 students are expected to attend on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30. Each visit includes approximately three hours of self-guided tours accompanied by teacher chaperones.

Retired New York City firefighter Steven Mormino described his work on the debris pile left by the collapsed World Trade Center towers. His brother, Don Mormino, detailed his response to the scene on Sept. 11 and his survival of both tower collapses. Bobby Senn, another retired firefighter, explained being inside the North Tower when the South Tower collapsed.

Thomas Tully, vice president of the Tully Group, discussed the construction and environmental cleanup efforts following the towers’ collapse. James Jacobs, a retired FDNY Battalion Chief, spoke about his volunteer work with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports families across the country. Steven Miller, a retired NYPD officer who now works as a security guard at Ames, described his role in the search and rescue mission.

Lt. Col. Osvaldo Lopez, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army, presented to the entire student body. He connected his experiences at the Pentagon on Sept. 11 and his overseas service to the character of Reshmina in the novel they are reading.

The students have been reading “Ground Zero” by Alan Gratz in their English language arts classes. The historical novel follows Brandon, a 9-year-old boy escaping the World Trade Center, and Reshmina, an 11-year-old girl in Afghanistan encountering a wounded American soldier. Tina Farrell, curriculum associate for English language arts and library media, stated that hearing directly from those who experienced the events brings the lessons to another level.

Jennifer Rabie, an English language arts teacher and daughter of Steven Mormino, said the presentations had a strong impact on the students. She noted that while saying “never forget” is important, the next generation must be taught about the events to prevent them from being forgotten.