The 9:57 Project

04/20/2026

🇺🇸 The Warrior Retreat is once again proud to host The 9:57 Project's 2026 Veteran-Led Summer Leadership Challenge - a fantastic opportunity for students entering grades 9-12 to develop leadership skills in an inspiring environment.

Event Details:
Who: Students entering grades 9-12
What: 2026 Veteran-Led Summer Leadership Challenge
When: July 6–10, 2026
Where: Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, 16013 Waterfall Road, Haymarket, VA 20169
Application: https://forms.gle/rNXG4X6oCP5M9ECF7

Please share this with your community to help connect Veterans with young people in order to perpetuate Courage, Resilience, Service, Teamwork, and the legacy of Flight 93.

04/12/2026

A great day yesterday spending time with Joe James. Joe is an amazing Veteran leader. In his time after service he’s pursued amazing business ventures, both for profit and NP. He went back to college and finished his degree, but most importantly he’s an amazing husband and Dad to four girls!

We’re proud to claim Joe as a 9:57 Veteran Volunteer too! He went to the Flight 93 National Memorial in 2023.

02/23/2026

It may be cold outside, but we are gearing up for summer! Applications for the 2026 Summer Leadership Challenge are open, and we have a great opportunity for high school students who want a deep dive into leadership and 9/11 history led by the families of Flight 93 and our nation's Veterans.



Serve Our Willing Warriors - SOWW

We are mobilizing Veterans to inspire the next generation.

01/31/2026

The 9:57 Project connects Eduators and Veterans to perpetuate a legacy of leadership and the Flight 93 story. Connect with us to learn more!

Inspired by the story of Flight 93 and powered by the unique leadership talents of our nation's military, we offer immersive experiential learning trips, after-school programs that preserve Veteran stories for the Library of Congress, and transformative summer leadership challenges. Join us in the mission to help to ensure that the legacy of American service and the spirit of Flight 93 continue to inspire civic duty in the next generation.

01/23/2026

We need your help to share our new video!

As we enter 2026, a year marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the 250th year of American independence, The 9:57 Project is more active than ever. Our mission remains focused on connecting students with Veterans and Flight 93 family members to discuss the vital values of courage, service, and resilience.

We have nine major events planned for this year, ranging from memorial trips to leadership challenges. Your help in spreading the word ensures that the legacy of Flight 93 continues to inspire and inform the next generation of citizens. 🇺🇸

You can help us reach donors, educators, and more Veteran Volunteers by sharing the video below on your social media platforms, and by personally sending it to educators, community leaders, and Veterans.

Shout out to Romanelli Communications for their excellent production work!

The 9:57 Project connects Veterans, students, and families of Flight 93 in order to perpetuate a legacy of leadership. Learn more at www.the957project.org.

09/12/2025

What a beautiful two days of learning and reflection with students at Wakefield School! From small group discussions with Veterans to a keynote speaker and a panel style interview on day 1, to a visit to the Flight 93 National Memorial on day 2, students were treated to incredible stories of bravery and inspiration from living eye witnesses to history.

We are forever grateful to the faculty at Wakefield, and the staffs at Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial and the Flight 93 National Memorial for welcoming us, and of course to our friends Gordie, Kenny, Debby, David, and Peggy for sharing memories of their loved ones with us.

Our students left feeling inspired and grateful for the experience. Each of them has been challenged to take what they’ve learned and share it with someone else. We know they will!

07/11/2025

That’s a wrap! Another Summer Leadership Challenge is in the books and another amazing set of young people are equipped with the tools to be transformative leaders in their communities. From immersing themselves in the story of Flight 93 to experiencing deep dives into leadership theory and action from our veteran volunteers, to just plain having fun together, this group is ready to go out and lead in their communities. Watch out – they are fired up about serving others!

None of this would be possible without the inimitable Debby Borza, the amazing hospitality of Serve Our Willing Warriors - SOWW, the martial arts expertise of Tomiki Aikido of the Americas, and the stewardship of the memorial by the National Park Service’s Flight 93 National Memorial and the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial.

We can’t wait ‘til next year!

05/22/2025

On Monday and Tuesday, The 9:57 Project and The Gary Sinise Foundation conducted a fourth immersive student leadership experience in Pittsburgh and The Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA.

GSF Ambassador Doc Jacobs, as well as 9:57 Volunteers Veterans Tina Laing and Craig Hummer joined Kenny Nacke, brother of Flight 93 Passenger Louis J. Nacke II, to discuss with students the courage and resilience of the first counter attack in the War on Terror, the Battle of Flight 93.

A special thank you goes out to Doc, Kenny, our Veterans, Donna Gibson, the executive director of Friends of Flight 93, and Tom Gibbs and his education team at the Gary Sinise Foundation. We are also grateful for the Service of the Rangers of the National Park Service at the Memorial, and their Superintendent, Steve Clarke.

The students met a super star Tuesday night, Pittsburgh Pirates Phenom Paul Skenes, who has so graciously supported the Sinise Foundation. But we think Mr. Paul would agree, the real super star of the week is Grassfield High School Teacher Kim Hammers. Grassfield High is in Chesapeake, VA.

Kim reached out to The 9:57 Project to participate in Operation CREST, where students document veterans’ stories for the Library of Congress. That engagement led to this trip. What a team of fellow educators and an amazing group of young leaders who journeyed to Pittsburgh and Shanksville!

We are grateful for the service of our Veterans and Educators.

05/21/2025

What an incredible day at the Flight 93 Memorial with Grassfield High School and the Gary Sinise Foundation. The future is bright with this group of talented young people!

And thank you, as ever, for your hospitality, Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial!

05/10/2025

There are still have a handful of spots left in this year's Summer Leadership Challenge! Do you know a high schooler who would benefit from a Veteran-led program with families of Flight 93? Now is their chance to apply.

Find the application link in the comments and reach out to us if you have any questions at all!

04/16/2025

It was an honor to have you along with us. Thank you for your suppport PenFed Foundation!