It’s hard to believe that this year marks 25 years since the September 11th, 2001 attacks. Many Westporters lost or know someone who lost someone on that tragic day, and four Westporters were killed in the attacks: Jonathan Uman, Keith Coleman, Scott Coleman, and Bradley Vadas. With this milestone anniversary, the town honors their legacy, the legacy of the service men and women who stepped up in the aftermath, and the promise we all made a quarter of a century ago to never forget.
Catch A Lift Fund
The Catch A Lift Fund, an organization that supports combat-injured veterans through fitness, emotional wellness, nutrition, and community, is hosting their 12th annual Connecticut fundraiser on September 9th. “2026 is a particularly meaningful year as we mark the 25th remembrance of September 11th and celebrate America's 250th birthday. Here in Connecticut, and especially in Fairfield County, the impact of 9/11 remains deeply personal. This event is an opportunity to reflect, remember, and honor the men and women who stepped forward to serve in the years that followed. We felt it was appropriate to bring it back as a gala, which is how we started,” explains Westporter Adam Vengrow, vice president of Catch a Lift's board of directors. Catch A Lift, Adam explains, was founded in honor of Army Corporal Chris Coffland, who was killed in action in Afghanistan. Today, the organization supports more than 15,000 post-9/11 combat-injured veterans and caregivers nationwide through fitness, wellness, and community programs. The gala will bring combat wounded veterans of Catch A Lift to share their stories and words, gathering guests and supporters at the newly-reopened Inn at Longshore for cocktails and a convivial atmosphere. “For more than a decade, the Fairfield County community has played a special role in supporting this mission and welcoming veterans from across the country,” Adam says. “We have an expression: from pain to purpose. A lot of great people go and serve, and they get wounded. It’s on us to take care of them and honor them.”
For tickets and more information, visit catchaliftfund.org
The Westport Library
Also on September 9th, The Westport Library welcomes memoirist Adam Axler, a former firefighter, Ground Zero paramedic, and physician’s assistant. Adam’s book, American Triage: From 9/11 to Fahrenheit 451, includes a harrowing, real-time account of September 11th itself, and how the day changed his future. Adam will appear in the Trefz Forum to discuss his book.
Tickets are free, to register visit westportlibrary.org
Sherwood Island State Park
Connecticut’s living 9/11 Memorial is located in Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park (the Twin Towers were, on a clear day, visible from the spot where it now sits). The memorial bears the names of 150+ people who perished that day, all either from Connecticut or with close ties to the state. The annual statewide ceremony is held at the memorial and takes place on the Thursday before 9/11—this year’s is September 10th—so that families who’d like to attend the event at Ground Zero may also do so. Traditionally, parking fees at Sherwood Island are also waived on September 11th itself.
For more information, visit ctparks.com
The Westport Fire Department
“Each year, our dispatchers broadcast a narrative of that morning’s events over our radio system for all on‑duty personnel to hear,” explains Fire Chief Nicholas Marsan. “We've continued that tradition since the first anniversary.” While the broadcast is only for on-duty members of the WFD, the tradition speaks to the strong ties this community has to the 9/11 First Responders, and the way Westport has honored their legacy and memory.
Paulie’s Push
This year marks the final trip for retired United Airlines flight attendant Paul Veneto, who has, for the last four years, pushed an airline service cart on foot “more than 750 miles along routes symbolizing the flight paths of the four aircraft hijacked on September 11th, 2001.” The push honors the "first, first responders:" the flight attendants and crew members aboard the hijacked planes. Paulie’s journey began at the 9/11 Memorial in the Public Garden in Boston on August 15th, and he is expected to pass through Westport on September 4th, including a stop at the Westport Fire Department. (His journey travels along the Post Road if you’d like to catch a glimpse.) When he arrives at Ground Zero on September 11th, he will have completed more than 1,000 miles in total. This year, for the first time, there are opportunities to get involved and push alongside Paulie as he completes his heroic journey, as four additional beverage carts have been donated to represent each of the four planes. “While Paulie will continue to push to honor the flight crews of 9/11, this year he’ll strive to honor all those who died that day, as well as featuring the spirit and tenacity of those who survived, those who continue to grieve, and those who continue to honor all who were lost,” his press team said in a statement.
You can view his up-to-date itinerary at pauliespush.com/25years, and see Paulie’s location along the route each day at pauliespush.com/map. To get involved or learn more, visit pauliespush.com