Student's Own 9/11 Story Deepens Connection to Internship

Guest blogger Valerie Arnold is a junior at Fordham University who interned in our Government & Community Affairs department this summer. During her time here, Valerie supported many stakeholder initiatives, including Visionary Network events and first responder and military outreach, and also collaborated on the next TikTok installment of our "In Their Own Voices" series. Here, she reflects on the experience. 

This summer, I was an intern with the Government & Community Affairs Department at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Throughout my internship, I worked alongside their team to strengthen and develop relationships between the institution and those who were affected by September 11. This internship was a particularly meaningful experience, as I lost my uncle, New York City firefighter Michael Boyle, on September 11, and my grandfather, retired firefighter Jimmy Boyle, in 2019 to 9/11-related cancer.    

Throughout the internship, I worked on the next installment of the “In Their Own Voices” series, which was created to highlight the diversity of those who participated in the 9/11 rescue, recovery, and relief efforts at Ground Zero following the attacks. The series was recently launched on TikTok and has highlighted the stories of NYPD ESU Officer Bob Schnelle & K-9 Atlas, and EMS Responder Freddie Noboa, among others.

Through my internal research, I learned the story of Father Brian Jordan, a Franciscan priest who presided over mass at Ground Zero for nearly 10 months. I began my research of Father Jordan by listening to his oral history. Oral histories are recorded interviews from narrators who have personal experience of historical events. In Father Jordan’s oral history, he recounted his memory of September 11 and the months afterwards. I was inspired by Father Jordan’s messages of unity and the power of bringing people together in the aftermath of a crisis. I worked to find an audio clip that would fit within the format needed for TikTok and that would convey this message. You’ll hear clips directly from Father Jordan’s oral history in the completed TikTok.  

I also did research in the Museum’s digital archive to compile photos and items that were connected to Father Jordan’s story, including photos of him climbing over rubble with help from a firefighter. I also found many photos of Father Jordan presiding over mass at Ground Zero, including one taken during the Midnight Mass on New Year’s Eve, 2001.

Learning about Father Jordan's story inspired me. I found his message that 9/11 showed "evil at its worst, [and] goodness at its best" to be a lesson for all. Faith, not only in a religious sense, but also faith in humanity, has the power to bring people together. I plan to bring the importance of community with me throughout the rest of my professional and personal life.  

As a double major in American Studies and Sociology, I am interested in how people interact and how events throughout American history have altered those interactions. Interning at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum has given me invaluable firsthand knowledge of how a major tragedy has affected human interaction. Additionally, because of my personal connection to 9/11, this internship was incredibly meaningful from the moment I started. I have further developed my understanding of 9/11, how it has affected families similar to mine, and the importance of upholding our promise to never forget. This internship has furthered my professional goals, helped me grow personally, and, most importantly, strengthened my connection to my uncle and grandpa.   

You can view Father Jordan's completed TikTok here.  

By Valerie Arnold, Government & Community Affairs Intern