9/11 Memorial & Museum Expands Access for New Yorkers

73 Rockland County residents were lost in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Twenty four years later, that number has continued to rise past 80. The ripples of this loss are felt to this day throughout the county, with multiple ceremonies held around Rockland every anniversary. As the years creep on, one question looms large – how can we ensure that future generations of Americans Never Forget this tragic loss? The Carnegie Corporation of New York is doing their part to make remembering easier for all New Yorkers.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has recently announced the receival of a $500,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Thanks to this philanthropic grant, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum will now be able to offer free tickets on the first Sunday of every month in 2025 for all New Yorkers. With a New York ID, state residents  will be able to book these free tickets and visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. beginning February 2nd. 

“We are grateful for Carnegie Corporation of New York’s sustained support of our outreach to New Yorkers and the over 100 million Americans too young to remember 9/11. This program allows New Yorkers to get free admission and offers our neighbors across the city a chance to remember and experience the history of the day together in community with each other”, said Beth Hillman, President & CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

This group of 100 million Americans to young to remember 9/11 have only learned about the events through a historical lens, and have spent their lives in a Post-9/11 world. Increasing exposure to primary and secondary sources through resources such as the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is critical to contextualizing what happened on this day and the effects this tragedy had on the nation and the world. 

One Rocklander who experienced these effects firsthand is Myrta Gschaar of Spring Valley. Thanks to the 9/11 Museum, the RCT was able to sit down with Myrta to remember her late husband Rober J. Gschaar, whose light was snuffed out alongside those 73 other Rocklanders and almost 3,000 Americans on that tragic day. 

Myrta’s words while describing her late husband painted a portrait of a gentle, loving man. For both Myrta and Robert, this was their second marriage, and Myrta recalled their love as a quiet love that took pleasure in the simple things. “Some might say boring, but no. It wasn’t,” said Myrta, grinning as she remembered their weekends spent watching TV together at their home in Spring Valley.

This “second chance” love, as the two called it, was physicalized in a two dollar bill Robert presented her with when he proposed. “We each had a $2 bill representing the luck we have with each other, and we were going to carry this $2 with us at all times,” said Myrta. When Robert’s remains were recovered from the second tower, Myrta was presented with an envelope. This envelope contained Robert’s wedding band and his wallet. Inside his wallet, crumpled and torn, was Robert’s two dollar bill. 

As time passed, Myrta began to feel uneasy about what would eventually happen with these precious items. Her fear was that they would one day be lost, or worse, sold. “That’s not for Rob. Rob was too good of a person,” stated Myrta. While contemplating her choices, she reflected on Robert’s passion for history. “All of his conversations were about war and history. If you were ever to sit with him, you knew that sooner or later he’s going to start talking about war or politics,” laughed Myrta. This devotion to history inspired Myrta to donate his items to the 9/11 Museum. “It will belong to the world,” she said. “It can only be used for education and educational purposes, nothing else.” The man who loved history so wholeheartedly would now forever be a part of it.

Myrta encouraged all New Yorkers to take advantage of the First Sundays program. “Just go there and learn; learn all that you can and you will come out a different person. I will guarantee you that.”

Not only is it important to remember the lives such as Robert’s that were lost, but in an increasingly divisive world it is crucial to remember the helpers, the unity that consumed the country, and how the indomitable American spirit will always shine though. The fostering and implentation of that unity and spirit is a practice that begins right here, in our own state, our county, our own homes. 

Tickets are always free for 9/11 family members and those eligible for WTC Health Program. For more information and to book tickets, go to 911memorial.org/firstsundays.