The 9/11 Memorial & Museum announced a major policy expansion this week, offering free admission to all veterans beginning Friday, just ahead of Memorial Day weekend. The initiative extends beyond the museum’s existing program that already provided complimentary entry to active-duty military personnel. Museum officials described the move as recognition of the profound connection between the September 11 attacks and the generation of Americans who chose military service in response to that day. The policy takes effect immediately and remains permanent.
Josh Cherwin, Chief Advancement and Communications Officer at the institution, emphasized the historical significance of the decision. He noted that September 11, 2001, served as a defining call to service for countless Americans. The attacks shaped the paths of first responders who rushed to help that day, students who enlisted in the weeks that followed, and young people who later chose military careers after learning about the tragedy. Today, nearly 100 million Americans have no personal memory of the attacks, including many of the newest recruits serving in the armed forces.
Former Green Beret shares personal connection to Ground Zero
John Paluska, a retired Army Green Beret who now serves on the museum’s Visionary Leadership Council, provided a powerful personal testimony about his experience. At just 18 years old and enrolled as a freshman at Fordham University, Paluska found himself volunteering at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. He recalled the distinct smell that permeated the site and the haunting sound of firemen’s beacons going off during moments of silence. The American flags slowly being draped across the wreckage left an indelible mark on his young mind.
The experience fundamentally altered the trajectory of Paluska’s life. Within a month of volunteering at the site, he visited a military recruiter and began the enlistment process. His decision led to service as a U.S. Army Green Beret, with multiple deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq. Paluska believes deeply in the importance of educating new generations about both the attacks and their aftermath. He pointed out that young Americans currently serving in uniform include those who weren’t even alive on September 11, yet many joined the military because of what happened that day.
Deep personal meaning for post-9/11 veterans
Many veterans who served in the post-9/11 era feel a profound personal connection to the memorial site, according to Paluska. He explained that veterans don’t want history to repeat itself and recognize war as a terrible thing. The memorial plaza offers these service members a place of reflection on both the losses sustained on September 11 and during the years of conflict that followed. Walking through the site and looking up at One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, provides veterans with a tangible reminder of resilience and recovery.
- Free admission now covers all veterans, regardless of service era
- Active-duty military personnel already received complimentary entry
- 9/11 family members continue to receive free admission
- Rescue and recovery workers qualify for no-cost visits
- World Trade Center Health Program participants and families of 9/11-related fatalities also included
The museum shared the story of Ron Bucca Jr., whose father, FDNY Fire Marshal Ron Bucca Sr., died during the attacks. The younger Bucca later followed in his father’s footsteps of service by becoming a Green Beret himself. He stated that his father’s sacrifice on September 11 directly influenced the course of his own military service and that of an entire generation of Americans. For those who served because of that day, the museum represents something deeply personal rather than simply a historical institution.
Expanding access as 25th anniversary approaches
The free admission program had already included several other groups before this expansion. Family members of those killed in the attacks, individuals who participated in rescue and recovery operations, and people eligible for the World Trade Center Health Program all received complimentary entry. The program also extended to immediate family members of individuals who died from illnesses and injuries related to 9/11. The latest expansion to include all veterans represents the most significant broadening of the policy since the museum opened.
Museum leadership views the timing as particularly significant with the 25th anniversary of the attacks approaching. September 11, 2026, will mark a quarter century since the terrorist strikes on the World Trade Center, making education and remembrance even more critical. The institution aims to ensure that younger generations, including those now serving in the military who have no lived memory of the day, understand both the tragedy and the response it inspired. The free admission policy serves as one tool to facilitate that understanding and honor the service of those who answered the call.
Museum honors continuing legacy of service
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum sits at the site where nearly 3,000 people lost their lives during the terrorist attacks. The institution preserves artifacts, shares survivor stories, and educates visitors about the events of that day and their aftermath. The memorial plaza features two reflecting pools set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers, surrounded by bronze panels inscribed with the names of every person killed in the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Veterans interested in visiting can present valid military identification or proof of veteran status at the museum entrance to receive free admission. The policy covers both the memorial plaza, which is already open to the public at no charge, and the museum itself, which typically requires paid admission. Museum officials encourage veterans and their families to take advantage of the new policy not only during Memorial Day weekend but throughout the year as a lasting tribute to their service.
