New York City firefighters from 9/11 return for EAA’s annual Sept. 11 memorial program

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (September 4, 2024) — Two men who worked at Ground Zero in New York City during and after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, will be the featured speakers at the EAA Aviation Museum’s annual 9/11 memorial presentation coming on Wednesday, September 11, at 7 p.m. in the EAA museum’s Eagle Hangar.

Charles Blaich was a veteran New York City firefighter who was on duty on 9/11 and also participated in the weeks of cleanup that occurred following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Michael Fagel was an emergency manager assigned by the U.S. Department of Justice to assist the FDNY in the aftermath of the attack and spent more than 100 days at the scene. Their stories include the heroism and the human cost of those attacks, including 343 members of the fire department who were lost along with hundreds of other law enforcement personnel and first responders. Their appearance at EAA is officially endorsed by the New York City Fire Department.

In previous programs, EAA has featured a diverse group of individuals ranging from military pilots to air traffic controllers who were part of the collective response to the 9/11 attacks. EAA’s purpose for the annual 9/11 program is to highlight the heroism on display by thousands of people on that day and immediately afterward.

The September 11 presentation is open to everyone. It is free to EAA members, as well as active military members, law enforcement/public safety personnel, and first responders. Admission is just $5 for all others.

About EAA Aviation Museum
The EAA Aviation Museum is located just off Interstate 41 at the Highway 44 exit in Oshkosh. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EAA members receive free museum admission year-round. For more information, call the EAA Aviation Museum at (920) 426-4818 or visit www.EAA.org/museum.