This article is written by Peter Schorsch and originally appeared on FloridaPolitics.com on April 27, 2026.
A Ground Zero survivor has made it his mission to ensure future generations understand not just the tragedy, but the unity that came from that fateful day.
An award-winning documentary about the tragic terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, is being shown this week in Orlando at the International Christian Film & Music Festival.
Actor Gary Sinise of Forrest Gump “Lt. Dan” fame narrates the film, “The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11.” It is competing for “best documentary” and “best director.” The documentary has already won three top awards at other film festivals this year, and it’s set for broader release to the public later this year ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
California-based Michael Gier, of Gier Productions, directed the film. It features the strength and unity that was on display that fateful day, when thousands were killed after two planes struck the World Trade Center towers in New York City, another struck the Pentagon, and one crashed in rural Pennsylvania after the heroic attempts by passengers to overtake hijackers.
The film’s executive producer is Chris Meek, the founder and CEO of the 9/11 Legacy Foundation and himself a Ground Zero survivor. He was on the floor of the American Stock Exchange when the Twin Towers fell, and escaped the aftermath of both collapses. He has spent the nearly 25 years since the attacks turning experience into action. The 9/11 Legacy Foundation is working to ensure the memory and lessons of that day survive for generations born after the attacks.
Meek answered questions about his experience, his subsequent work enshrining the memory of 9/11, its victims and survivors and the heroes who save countless lives.
Walk me through Sept. 11. Where exactly were you on the floor of the American Stock Exchange when the first plane hit? What did you see, hear, feel in those first moments?
I was in our office at 111 Broadway across the street from the American Stock Exchange on the 19th floor. Our office faced south overlooking Trinity Church and down Broadway.” The Canyon of Heroes” where they hold ticker tape parades for astronauts, World Series titles, etc.
At what point did survival turn into purpose? Was there a specific moment you decided to found the 9/11 Legacy Foundation?
Survival turned into purpose when I was on the floor of the Stock Exchange after evacuating my team of 19 traders and clerks. I stayed behind in case the markets actually opened and I would do the trading. I told everyone else to leave for safety.
I was in the exchange when the first tower collapsed (across the street). The lights went out and the building shook like it was going to collapse. That’s when they determined the markets would be closed that day. Exchange officials wouldn’t let us leave at that point saying we were safer inside than out. With three other friends/traders, we found an unguarded fire escape in the back of the exchange and exited there.
Founding the 9/11 Legacy Foundation was an offshoot of the film I decided I wanted to make after the 20th observance of 9/11. We started the film in early 2022. As the film progressed, I thought how all three memorials are run by separate entities and do their own thing. I wanted to elevate what each of them do collectively and created the foundation in January 2025 and formally rolled the organization out in March of 2025.
There are a lot of 9/11 organizations. What does the Legacy Foundation do that others don’t?
Our goal is twofold. First, it’s to elevate what all other organizations are doing (there aren’t as many as you think, but new ones are popping up because it’s the 25th). They all do great work with a specific mission and need as many eyeballs on them as possible.
Second, and our ‘legacy’ piece, is to educate current and future generations about the events of that day.
Only 14 states require teaching 9/11 in the classroom. We are working on a national curriculum to take to each state that is not only to be used in schools, but is also civically minded so businesses and organizations can use the curriculum as well. September 12, 2001, was the last time this country was truly united. Civic engagement and remembering how we were that day will hopefully strengthen and unite us more as a nation.
What do you think the country gets wrong about how we remember 9/11?
The country doesn’t remember. That’s the problem. Unless you lived or currently live in the northeast corridor of the U.S., Boston to Washington, D.C., 9/11 is just a day on the calendar.
What do you want someone who was born after 2001 to walk away feeling after they watch this film?
As awful as the events of that day were, we found strength, unity, courage and the ability to think about something bigger than ourselves and support a mindset that is bigger than one person. The “UNITED” States of America, “ONE” Nation.
I recently wrote a piece called “America the Mosaic,” which is what makes us great. A mosaic is only beautiful when all the pieces are put together as one, not fractured. There is something great in everyone and we as humans, and we as Americans, when called upon, can and will rise up to any challenge put in front of us.
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