It is a day we will never forget. We remember exactly where we were, what we were doing, who we were with, and the intensely blue New York City sky that September morning. It is a day that forever changed the lives of countless people, including those in the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) of the city of New York, who are sharing their stories now for the first time in their own words on their own terms.

In this commemorative video event, members of the NYC OCME will reflect on that day and the days that followed. The events of 9/11 altered not only the NYC skyline but also how agencies responded to mass disasters thereafter.

Our speakers will walk us through their experience of being at Ground Zero and working the morgue. Some will reflect on a personal loss, while others will reflect on hardships and the mental and physical toll their work took on them. We will also learn about the search and rescue efforts and the multiple phases of the investigation.

Twenty years later, the team at the NYC OCME is still dedicated to identifying remains to bring them home to loved ones. Staff will share how the evolution of technology has played a part in identifying remains that previously were impossible to identify.

In the end, what stands out is their continued dedication to the work they do, the City of New York and the families of 9/11 victims.