Salvation Army volunteers reflect on 25 years since the 9/11 attacks

Within 30 minutes of the first reports on September 11, 2001, Salvation Army teams were on the scene, remaining in the disaster zones for months to support exhausted first responders. Over the course of that recovery, more than 55,000 volunteers distributed over 3 million meals and provided mental health or spiritual care to 110,000 people. The organization is now highlighting these narratives to launch its "Be That Something" initiative, which challenges the public to find manageable ways to support those facing personal crises.

Ken Tregellas, who coordinated relief in the most restricted areas of Ground Zero, recalls the small details that mattered, such as using donated children's socks to protect rescue dogs' paws from searing debris. Like others, Tregellas faced long-term consequences, surviving two bouts of Stage 4 cancer linked to his exposure. Similarly, Melvin Welch, who operated a mobile feeding unit near the Pentagon, describes the quiet necessity of simply being present for military personnel and evacuated employees. For responders like Lt. Colonel Debra Ashcraft, who provided emotional support to firefighters, the work was defined by a "ministry of presence"—the understanding that comfort often requires no words, only the willingness to sit with someone in their distress. This collective history serves as a reminder that meaningful impact often stems from immediate, localized action rather than grand gestures.