Graham Family Reacts To BOATLIFT An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience 

America is like a family. We fight with each other but when someone fights with us, we pull together.

Mr. Roger's said it best. "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." That is America.

There was also a fourth hijacked plane that was intended to crash into the US Capitol; but the passengers and the crew learned of the attack when they airphoned their loved ones. The group of complete strangers banded together and rushed the cockpit trying to retake the plane. But the hijackers drove the plane straight down and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. One of the passengers was heard to yell “Let’s Roll!” before the revolt began; and because of their actions and sacrifice, hundreds of lives were spared at the Capitol, and “Let’s Roll!” became a battle cry. That was when the War on Terror truly began

Is so odd to think that it’s been so long that there is now an entire generation of young people who don’t even know about 9/11.

Sweet Mr. Ardolino passed away from the cancer causing dust.. He is a hero, and didnt even know it would cost him his life.. RIP.. xo

The gentleman at the end of the video with the great advice on life has sadly passed away from health issues due to the "dust" from the buildings collapse. He was a true hero and an inspiration to us all. The sun shines a little dimmer now that he's gone. God speed to his gentle soul. Blessings to all from the Great State of Texas 🇺🇸

Quote from famous children's TV host, Fred Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

This is a STORY that needs to be told again and again. Sadly the Man who has the Amberjack passed away from cancer 😢😢 AMERICA 🇺🇸 🇺🇲 STRONG. I think it's great that you're showing your children that caring and showing compassion as an adult isn't a sign of weakness but of Strength. Great parenting.

Each building was 110 stories tall and had their own mailing zip code

There is a new building at the WTC site. It's called the Freedom Tower and it is 1,776 feet tall and is the tallest building in the US. They made the 1,776 feet tall because 1776 is the the US' birth year.

After this, the Coast Guard trained boat captains to save those who got stranded. This is why no one died when Captain Sully had to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River. He saved his passengers and crew in that landing. The ferries and boats were on their way before they left the plane.

Basically when the first plane hit, everyone thought this was a horrible monstrous accident. When the second plane hit, it was clear instantly to everyone that that wasn’t the case. Then millions of tons of steel and cement came raining down. I still tear up at this video

To answer your son’s question. There were 4 planes hijacked on 9/11. 2 planes crashed into the World Trade Center, 1 crashed into the Pentagon, and the 4th plane (if I understand correctly) was supposed to hit the White House where the president lives. The 4th plane had passengers aboard who called family members to say goodbye and their family members told them that America was under attack. There were men on the 4th plane who forced their way into the cockpit and forced the plane to crash in the middle of an empty field in Pennsylvania.

American bravery and patriotism. Never underestimate a lot of American good Samaritans.

You should react to the story of all the planes arriving to New York that couldn’t land because they closed the airspace. I think this place in Canada called Gander(I might have spelled it wrong) took in hundreds of people who couldn’t land in the United States. It’s a wonderful story.

An interesting fact that many Americans don't realize about the 9/11 attacks is that it is the only time that NATO has had any Member Nation activate Article 5, that requires all other NATO Members come to the aid of a Member Nation that has been attacked. The nation that activated Article 5 was the USA and every NATO member responded in the War on Terror that followed. It is one of the things that enrages me when people say that the USA should pull out of or quit supporting NATO. We are the only nation to use NATO's most powerful article for our own defense.

Great to see the folks teaching history to their kids.

You guys as a family really are the real deal. Jono & Kat, you're raising your kids right. It's crazy to think we're now at a point in time where there are people who weren't yet born when 9/11 occurred and therefore don't know of everything that happened on that day. But we can never forget.

Hello Graham Family from California👍. This day was a nightmare. So many lost their lives and it can't be forgotten. The first captain you see died in 2018 from lung problems his family believes he got from 911. He breathed that air with building material in it into his lungs all day long....everyone there did. Every Captain was a hero that day.

I was in New York in highschool when this happened. They shut down classes and we all went to the auditorium to watch the news as it happened. This day was burned into our minds, we will never forget. New York strong ❤

I can't tell you how many times I've watched this and it makes me cry everytime.

I grew up on Governors Island. That was the Coast Guard base. Every time I see a video about this Boat Lift, I have so much pride. I was raised on that island. The maritime community, they are special people. They have real morals and integrity.

You should watch "United 93". Its about the fourth plane that is always forgotten.

When the worst of humanity brings out the very best of humanity.

Such an awesome family! Tremendous parenting - the empathy that was apparent on your children’s faces 🥹🥰 Thanks for gifting the world with two such beautiful souls. Love from an American grandma 😘🇺🇸

Now you can watch the City of Gander, Canada on 9/11, and how they helped those stranded.

I'm a natural-born American citizen. But I don't beleive in American exceptionalism. But non-Americans wonder why we're so proud to be American. THIS. This mentality is why. When the chips are down we WILL come to defend you. Even if you aren't American, we will come to defend you. ❤

This is my absolute favorite story! More people should hear this story. It shows the power of the love for other human beings and what we are capable of doing when we really need each other! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Good job teaching your children the reality of history.

The first guy was named Vincent Ardolino. He did what he could and for some it was their everything. He passed away a few years ago, but will always be remembered for his actions that day.

Garrin has very expressive eyes. Not all kids would appreciate a video like this...its obvious it made an impact on him. You're raising a great kid ❤

Thanks for showing this. We will never forget the evil or the kindness. At the end of the day, the kindness won.

I'm American, was an adult on 9/11 and have never heard this story. I have to say, on a trip to NYC, my 4 year old son got sick, my husband was unreachable somewhere in the city and I didn't know what to do. Everyone, from the hotel clerks, housekeepers, and taxi driver went beyond what I expected to help me find and get to a doctor's office, drug store and back to the hotel. The housekeepers from other floors in the hotel came by every day to see how we were. I'll never forget their kindness.

It doesn't matter how many times I watch this Boat Lift video I still sit and cry as the overwhelming emotions of fear, sadness, and hope course thru me as I remember that day. Knowing these brave boat captains and their crews were selflessly risking their own lives to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of total strangers just cements the fact that we Americans can and do come together as one when our country is threatened by such evil. My heart goes out the all the families who were, and still are, affected by the horrific events that unfolded on 9/11.

I was in Manhattan that day. It was complete chaos . All of the bridges, tunnels and trains to Manhattan were shut down. I was about 20 blocks north of the World Trade Center , which incidentally was the site of my family's first farm in America 14 generations ago . There were streams of dust covered people coming up from the Wall Street area looking like survivors of the zombie apocalypse ,dazed , panic stricken,crying , stumbling , looking straight ahead .A friend of mine owned a retail store 2 blocks from the WTC. When he found out what happened he ran over there to see if he could help .People who were trapped in the building above the floors where the plane struck were just jumping out 80-90-100 stories up and splattering on the pavement around him . He had a nervous breakdown ,later sold his store and moved out of Manhattan .

Your son was looking real emotional during this whole thing… he has the heart of a saint and protector you can tell this made his heart hurt. God bless your family. I was in 7th grade when this happened and I can still see the people jumping to their death rather than being burned alive. Humans can be wickedly evil and unimaginably compassionate. Your son seems to be the latter. GREAT JOB DAD!

As tragic as this event was it shows the American people at their best. We can be divided at times but always available to save lives and help each other. Same thing through. Hurricanes, floods and tornadoes. God Bless America!❤️🤍💙. By the way you are wonderful parents by teaching them compassion and caring. They are beautiful kids.❣️

The captain of the Amberjack just passed away recently like 2 weeks or so

Makes me proud to be an American. I live in Dallas, but we were right there with them. Everyone pulled together and resolved that no terrorist could ever bring us down. EVER!! 🇺🇸💪

I was 6yo when 9/11 happened, both my parents were in the Navy and we were living on base in San Antonio. The base went on lock down before the news of what happened reached us. School hadn't started yet so not all the kids and faculty were there as many lived off base. With the lock down, no one was allowed in or out, period. My mother told me that a few teachers were going door to door in the base housing looking for adults to help watch us kids. I don't remember much from that day other than the tension among the adults. I knew something bad had happened, and my parents had explained to me how my dad could die in war one day, but it always felt like something very far away. Watching the news that night, with President Bush talking to the nation, seeing the footage from New York City, that was the first time I really understood what my mother meant when she tried to explain war and the dangers of being a soldier. It finally clicked in my brain, becoming something very real, and very scary for me. In the years after, I always hated watching my father leave. We'd watch his ship from the harbor, and he was gone for six months at a time. My father is still alive, but I grew up going to the funerals of men who died fighting in that war. I remember comforting my class mates after their parent was wounded or died. For me, 9/11 is like an old wound, most of the time you don't feel it, and other times it just won't stop hurting. I watch those videos of military coming home to their families, and I remember watching my father leave. I watch tribute videos and I remember the funerals I went to. I watch videos about the families of service men and women who died, hearing their children talk about what they've gone through, and I think about my childhood friends who never got to see their parents come home. When your son asked you what 9/11 was, part of me was sad, but I was also glad because it means humanity is starting to heal. It's one thing to pass on history, to teach the lessons our forebears learned the hard way, but I'm glad we've gotten to the point where children and teenagers don't feel that old wound the way I, and so many others, still do. It was about a year or so after 9/11, when I was 7yo, that my mother sat me and my older sister down and watched Schindler's List with us. She wanted to make sure we understood why our father was a soldier, why she had joined the Navy, why my grandfathers had back in their day. As a military brat, I was taught to see no color, no religion, no prejudice, if you were an American, or fought alongside us, you were our brothers and sisters. Not all Americans have been raised as I was, and I can still remember my shock when I realized racism wasn't just a part of history, but still live and well in the hearts of the hateful, but I learned early what it means to be American, to pull together, fight for one another, and hold each other higher. I'm not a religious person, but I hope the best for your family, peace, love, and kindness.

We lived close to our Airport here in Austin TX at the time and when all of the flights stopped it was very eerie. Such an awful time. Our 2 children were toddlers when it happened, and we were so sad to have brought them into a world like this. Seeing everyone pull together, find common ground and have empathy for one another really helped.

U.S. here, I don't want people to forget that the British had to cross the unpredictable English Channel to get to Dunkirk in France - it was a much more difficult and strenuous vouyage than a trip back and forth between New Jersey and Manhattan. I've seen this video many, many times, and it always brings me to tears. Thank you for sharing this with your children and with us.

Glad you showed your family this video. It is very inspirational and shows how people can come together to help others. ❤

The love that you and your wife have for your children is palpable. Very moving.

I was just miles away working on an ambulance. Lost a co worker FF on the 42 floor of tower 1…friends have cancer from that day. Thank you for keeping their memory alive!!

I grew up in New York City and my dad worked in Manhattan so I lost count of how many times I’ve been in the Twin Towers. I am 52 years old now and still cry when I think about that terrible day!

I cry every time I watch this. Never forget. 🇺🇸

During the Dunkirk Evacuation the boats had to travel a longer distance before returning for the next load of passengers. Both Boat lift events were astonishing. God bless everyone involved in both situations.

I grew up in NYC but lived in Georgia when 9/11 occurred and I was horrified when it happened. Thanks for sharing this story with your children because we need to share this inspiration throughout the world, not just the US.

This is a story of the American Spirit,, a story of Hope and resilience. This is America at its Best.

I'm a volunteer firefighter in Alabama I was in shock I'm school when I saw what happened I applied for the volunteer fire department today it still brings tears to my eyes I lost friends in the towers

I was 8 years old in 2nd grade when this happened.... Also it was plastered all over the news for a long time. And it is true Jono... it was twenty-three years ago. But the year after, the flag of the Twin Towers showed up in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah. I still remember how much goosebumps on myself when Old Glory appeared inside Rice-Eccles Stadium. However... twenty-three years later, I never ever forgotten. Yes heroes were made in the process but we also had many who showed what it means to be truly united. "United we stand. Divided we fall."

Some forget the Pentagon an the ones in the Pennsylvania fields , the heroics of the ones !!!!

WOW... WOW when your son said SO FAR... I thought.. A very bright child... (former combat medic here)

This was not a well known story here in USA either so don’t feel bad. I think the actual events happening that day and the days to follow were first and foremost on the Nations minds and in the headlines. This video makes me proud as an American every time I watch it. Thanks for reacting to it! 😉😊👍

this story is stunning. i did the maths, and it works out to about 1,000 rescues a minute.

This video should NEVER get blocked! I understand that it is sensitive viewing material, but you can preview it before you share with people that may be sensitive to it before you share it with them. (To put it into context properly, I am an extremely sensitive person.) It shows that there is still hope and positivity in humanity. I've watched multiple reactions to not only this video but many like this, to try to search for that hope. Thank you for showing your family this video, and your family members for watching. I believe that more families across the planet should be doing the same.

Thank you for teaching your kids about humanity and patriotism!! 🇺🇲

The best humans come out of tragedy everywhere in all countries.

I was in the USAF during this time. I had just finished a training course at Beale AFB in California the week before and had taken a few days of leave to visit family. I flew back to the UK and landed at Heathrow late on 10 September. I got to my house in Newmarket very late and went straight to bed. I didn't wake up until mid-afternoon since I still had a few days of leave. That's when I checked my voicemail, and I had something like 30 messages all asking if I was okay. I can say that day was probably one of the worst days of my life. Not only was it because of all the people that lost their lives, but my decree absolute for my divorce was issued that day as well.

Respect 🔥🙏🤟⛪👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🇺🇸💯

I was in the middle of it all on that morning...I live in Brooklyn,NY, but I had just got off of the overnight shift in Manhattan and had stopped off for breakfast at my favorite deli just up the street from the World Trade Center. Then all hell broke out. A day that has stayed with me to this day and will never be forgotten. Thanks for your reaction.

Re: the dust question, after the buildings fell, the dust clouds blew (slowly) east towards Brooklyn and dispersed the densest stuff into a haze you could see through. The river being shown is mostly west and south of Manhattan. I rode one of those boats out of NYC that morning, and was very grateful they were there.

I live in a tiny village in Ohio that consists of 2000 souls. A recent graduate of our high school filled in for a coworker - she was a flight attendant on that second plane you see entering at the opening of this video. 🥺🙏❤️

What a great father you are. You took the time to teach your kids a great life lesson. Great job!

This is true and a great spirit that other countries have love for the USA.

I live 3.5 to 4 hours from New York City, depending on the traffic. I know of a guy who volunteered to travel to NYC that day. He was a recently retired police officer who volunteered on a Salvation Army canteen (restaurant) truck that would serve food and drinks to cops and firefighters during a crisis, when they worked long hours. I don't know how many days or weeks he spent near Ground Zero, but I do know he was one of the many thousands who developed cancer years later from all the airborne particles he inhaled. He's one of the lucky ones who survived.

I drove a truck around Atlanta Ga and was listening to reports on the radio. Shortly after they realized what had happened, they grounded every plane in US airspace. It was a weird feeling looking up and not seeing any planes above Atlanta with on of the busiest airports in the world right there

This video is amazing. 9/11 is one of those days where you will always remember where you were. I never heard of the boat lifts until a few years ago, but seeing this literally broke me. The humanity and heroics on display that day is something we should never forget.

I WAS AT WORK IN SOMERSET PA. CLOSE TO SHANKSVILLE WHERE FLIGHT 93 CRASHED!!! SO AFRAID AND WORRIED ABOUT MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTERS!!🥰🥰🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷

I will never forget this day. I was supposed to fly across country the next day, September 12. I never made the trip. 😢 I was in DENVER, CO and we were closed completely. We thought other cities might be attacked.

I always cry when I watch this. The 1st Captain at the beginning has now passed away. There are people that were in the buildings that did survive. Other videos also show people running into stores to seek coverage.

Im a USCoast Guard veteran this us why i joined the military

I remember where I was on that day too. Watched Boatlift years ago. Watching your reaction reminds me not just Americans were horrified, yet admired our actions to save people. God forbid this happens to any others, but I am sure the great people of your country would do the same.

I was in photography class; my second class of the morning, sophomore year of high school. Remember that whole day. Thanks for watching this!

I lost a family member that day when the first tower collapsed. I was living overseas and I could not get ahold of anyone in my family nor any of my friends. Many were cops and a firefighter for the city. I am a native New Yorker who visited the World Trade Center a few months before I moved overseas. I ran into my family member in the building and it was the last time I saw him alive. Since all the US airspace was closed down, I couldn't return to NY for 9 days.

God bless you all for showing respect to us Americans!

I was there, it was brutal. But it brought us together as a country like nothing else!

3 buildings went down in New York that day, both towers, and building 7, a 49 story hotel

I was at work in an elementary school in central NY that day. We were watching on the tv in the library. I tried to get ahold of my daughter because she was supposed to be coming home from Virginia that day. But... I did not know that she had decided to drive 1/2 way home the night before and stopped in Manhattan to stay overnight. She was stuck in Manhattan for 3 days before she could get home. I still cry when seeing things that remind me of those 3 days.

I knew where I was. I was eating breakfast with my parents and I heard an airplane crash into the WTC. I watched it on television as I was getting ready for work. I went to work (I worked for Big Y Supermarket, a local supermarket chain in Massachusetts and Connecticut.) and the people were panic buying. At noon, the banks closed and we closed the store. My friend was supposed to be on the plane, but he missed his flight. MetroNorth Railroad (the commuter rail in the tristate area - New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) closed down. One of Connecticut's state parks has a memorial for 9/11 victims of Connecticut.

What a wonderful family you all are!! And teaching your children the story to keep that day in memory.. I sure wish we could come together today like that day! Just don't understand that it takes a terrorist attack to come together.. The world is a mix up place today!! We all need to be compassionate, caring, human beings to one another, and love not hate!!

I watched it from my New Jersey office window. I remain traumatized and heartbroken as most of us do. Thank you for showing this to your children in such a respectful manner. I commend you. PS The State of New Jersey donated continual refueling all day

Thank you for explaining this to your kids in such a respectable way.

Living in NY on 9/11, I saw the worst thing I ever saw in my life, but also the best. Whenever I see bad things in the news today, I remember 9/11 and that good people truly do exist.

I think I grew up to help those in distress. As kids we could stop traffic to help the elderly cross the street. Then we'd brag that we helped them. Then in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts we were encouraged to do good deeds. Maybe that's how I picked it up.

I adore your entire family and love how you both take every opportunity to teach your children an important lesson. I'm all in so please keep it up and going. Cheers from Orlando, FL. ❤

All these years later, I still get goose bumps watching clips

As tragic as 9/11 was, this was a tiny bright spot. I hadn't heard of this until about 5 years ago and will watch this video at least twice a year to remind me of how good we can be. I am glad that you have shown your kids this. I forget that so many weren't even born when this happened.

A long time ago, and yet it was just yesterday...

Because you asked the question “would I help”, you already know the answer. Yes, yes you would.

Thank you for sharing our story with your family. I was sitting in high school when this happened. Never forget. And don’t mess with the USA❤️

What an awesome family. Mom and Dad, good work. I was a soldier for 12 years in the US Army and a strong family always kept me centered. Thanks for the post..

I’ve watched this video many times and I cry every time when the guy radios for anyone willing to help to report to governors island! I live close to the flight 93 crash site in Pennsylvania where the passengers crashed the plane rather than have it take out another building. I’ll never forget the sound of that plane flying over the building I worked in shortly before the crash and I’ll never forget the events and feelings of that day. Ye see Americans may fight with each other but we do not allow anyone else to mess with us as a whole. Like siblings we pick at each other but we will stand firmly together against an outside force when needed. I love my country and all its diverse peoples and what we stand for United and part of the most free country in the world!🇺🇸

I'm not cryin, you're cryin! 🥺 OMG, will never forget that day.

Vincent R. Ardolino 1953 - 2018 is the captain of the amberjack

my brother was born when the second tower collapsed & she told us how terrifying it was to watch the news while just having a baby. The local news called my parents wanting an interview since he was born during it all but my mom declined bc she was too scared someone would track them down

Your children are beautiful. Y'all watched the video ...i watched y'all. Made me cry to watch it through your eyes. I'm 65... That day is still SO BIG for us and we're in Texas but it was consuming for everyone. Traditionally competitors with New Yorkers for state pride. We wore NYFD and NYPD and I ❤️NY shirts a long time. 🥺

I live in New Jersey, across the river from downtown NYC, about 4 miles across the river. That day will be with me for the rest of my life. I still to this day get chills when I see these types of videos. Thank you for the way you and your family showed respect.

Thank you for reacting and appreciation for Americans.