Answering the Call: 25 Years After 9/11
For 25 years, The Salvation Army has stood alongside those impacted by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, remembering not only the lives lost, but also the extraordinary response that followed. When the attacks unfolded in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Salvation Army officers, staff, and volunteers were among the first to respond, mobilizing within hours to support first responders, survivors, grieving families, and recovery workers.
Ground Zero, New York
At Ground Zero in New York, Salvation Army canteens were serving responders from the earliest days of the rescue effort. Teams provided meals, drinks, supplies, emotional care, prayer, and practical support to firefighters, police officers, construction crews, and other personnel working tirelessly at the site. As recovery operations continued, Salvation Army staff remained a constant presence, offering comfort and encouragement to those carrying out one of the most difficult missions in American history.
The Pentagon, Virginia
At the Pentagon, Salvation Army personnel arrived within hours of the attack and established support operations just steps from the impact site. They provided food, refreshments, and a place of respite for military personnel, investigators, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and recovery teams. Beyond meeting physical needs, Salvation Army teams offered a listening ear, compassionate presence, and spiritual support during long weeks of recovery work.
Shanksville, Pennsylvania
In western Pennsylvania, a group of Salvation Army personnel happened to be meeting less than 10 miles from where United Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville. Their proximity allowed The Salvation Army to respond almost immediately, providing meals, refreshments, prayer, Bibles, and encouragement to the thousands of first responders, investigators, and recovery workers who served at the site in the days and months that followed.
Behind this national response are deeply personal stories of courage, compassion, sacrifice, and faith. For more stories and firsthand accounts from the Salvation Army officers, staff, and volunteers who served at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Flight 93, click here.