KINGS POINT, NEW YORK, September 11, 2023 – Today, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) hosted a brief Patriot Day Ceremony to remember and honor the first responders and victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.

The Regiment of Midshipmen mustered on Powell Oval as First Class Midshipman Kenobi Kinch, Regimental Public Affairs Officer, read the Presidential Proclamation on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2023. “Today we remember all the heroes who were forged in the hours, days, and years that followed that terrible morning of September 11, 2001 — ordinary Americans who, amidst the terror, smoke, and flames, demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness.  Together, their bravery helped prove to our Nation and the world that what those terrorists most hoped to wound could never be broken:  the character of our Nation,” said Biden.

The Regiment of Midshipmen held other remembrances throughout the day, including a 24-hour watch in front of a large American flag held by two firetrucks parked on Barney Square. At Morning Colors the flag was raised and lowered to half-staff, in honor of the victims and first responders. They also sounded a siren at intervals that coincided with the timeline of September 11th, 2001.
 

• 0846 - AA Flight 11 crashes into North Tower of One World Trade Center, NYC
• 0903 - UA Flight 175 crashes into South Tower of One World Trade Center, NYC
• 0937 - AA Flight 77 crashes into the Western Facade of the Pentagon, DC
• 0959 - South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses 
• 1007 - UA Flight 93 crashes in Somerset County Pennsylvania
• 1028 - North Tower of the World Trade Center collapses 

At USMMA we also remember our heroes. We honor the many Kings Pointers who have served, especially those who gave the last full measure of devotion, in the years following the attacks. We also honor those who responded on that fateful day. Within minutes of the attacks Faculty, Staff and Midshipmen mobilized to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts. 180 members of the USMMA community were awarded the Secretary of Transportation’s Outstanding Unit Award for, “outstanding performance of duty in support of Operation Guarding Liberty following the attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) from September 11, 2021, to September 19, 2001.”

We are grateful to the following staff who still serve at the Academy:

Rob Asma                                   Rich Cain                                     John Casey       

Susan Crowe                               Peter DeJesus                              Rick Dominique               

Joann Dunat                                Steve Flanagan                            Mitchell Glazer                                 

Mary Hall                                    Rob “Chip” Lowe                       Michael Melcer               

David Moskoff                            Paul Santamauro                         Cindy Robson

And our very own Captain Lou Guzzo – Department of Marine Transportation, who responded to the WTC as a New York City Firefighter with the FDNY’s Harbor Unit.

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The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y, educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Academy, which was established under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1943. It is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation.

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