Retired New York firefighter Steve Casquarelli traveled 1,087 miles from New York to Iowa Sept. 28-30 to share a message of leadership, unity, and most importantly his passion to “Never Forget” the tragic day 20 years ago that changed America forever.
Casquarelli was a New York firefighter who drove into danger in what became known as Ground Zero on 9/11. In the days and weeks that followed the terrorist attacks, he worked 24-hour shifts as a field communications specialist for the fire chief. What he saw, heard, and felt during that time will stay with him forever. Casquarelli has since retired from his job as a New York firefighter and now works with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a New York organization that honors the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who lost his life saving others on Sept. 11, 2001.
Casquarelli has been on a mission to spread the message to ‘Never Forget’ the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, including the brave military and first responders who sacrificed their lives 20 years ago and continue to do so today. His journey from New York to small-town Sully started two years ago when he connected with Lynnville-Sully’s middle school language arts teacher, Mr. Kevin Johnson. Mr. Johnson leads his eighth graders through a lengthy study on 9/11 each fall and welcomed Casquarelli into his classroom through Google meets. For the past two years, students have interviewed Casquarelli virtually. This year, 20 years after the attacks, Casquarelli was able to join Mr. Johnson’s students in-person.
At right, Steve Casquarelli spreads his message to a large crowd gathered in the Lynnville-Sully High School gym at the free community event held Wednesday evening, Sept. 29.
Casquarelli stepped off the plane for his first trip to Iowa on Tuesday, Sept. 28. He spoke to the L-S High School football, volleyball, and cross-country teams about leadership and unity before dropping his bags off at the Linden House. Later that night, Casquarelli joined Mr. Johnson and his wife Sara along with Jean Cleere of Newton for supper. Cleere is the widow of Jim Cleere, a businessman who was in New York on 9/11 and died when the twin towers collapsed.
Wednesday was a full day of Casquarelli spreading his message. He spent the morning with L-S Middle School students including two 90-minute blocks where he was interviewed by Mr. Johnson’s eighth graders. The students asked inquisitive questions that evoked memories of the day and the recovery process that changed America forever. On several occasions, Casquarelli’s emotions spilled out as he reinforced why his mission to “Never Forget” is so important on a personal and national level.
“We can’t forget the events that happened that day,” said Casquarelli. “There are lessons to be learned. On a personal note, I cannot forget the firefighters that died that day. I can’t forget the families of the people who lost loved ones that day. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. We cannot forget. We need to learn from it and bring lessons with us to make the world better.”
Additional interview questions from the eighth graders touched on the subjects of change within the U.S. since the attacks and how Americans united after 9/11, as well as leadership qualities and lessons gained from working at Ground Zero. The first-hand experiences shared by Casquarelli will aide the eighth graders as they continue with a storytelling unit.
At noon, an assembly was held for high schoolers who listened to Casquarelli share his experiences. He explained the mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and how it has helped families of fallen firefighters across the country. Casquarelli emphasized the importance of leadership and unity to the high schoolers as well as the need for personal reflection and care when you are in a position of taking care of others.
Later that evening, Casquarelli joined members of the Sully Fire Department for a meal at the fire station. He then delivered his message of unity, leadership, and remembrance in front of a large crowd at a free community event held in the Lynnville-Sully gym. After each speaking experience, Casquarelli welcomed questions from the crowd.
Retired New York firefighter Steve Casquarelli answers questions about 9/11 and its tragic aftermath posed by L-S eighth graders in Mr. Kevin Johnson’s language arts class on Wednesday, Sept. 29.
Prior to boarding the plane back to New York on Thursday, Casquarelli was back at Lynnville-Sully again, this time speaking to fourth and fifth graders. Mr. Johnson, who accompanied Casquarelli to the airport, made a brief stop in Newton to show the New York retired firefighter the 9/11 memorial located in front of the Newton Fire Department.
Casquarelli’s trip to Iowa was made possible thanks to funding by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Lynnville-Sully Community Education Foundation covered the cost of accommodations at the Linden House, and the L-S administration and staff as well as the Sully Fire Department also assisted in the informative visit.
