Media Kit

Why I’m Here: Alison Clardy

I am Alison Clardy, a former and future athlete for The 9.11 Promise Run – a relay from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia to Ground Zero in New York City. I am also a military brat, a retired Marine, and the spouse of a retired Marine. I am privileged to have sat on the 9.11 Promise scholarship committee for the past two years.

Having spent my life around the military, I saw firsthand how organizations like The 9.11 Promise impact families. The loss of a loved one or caring for a disabled family member is sometimes a catastrophic financial burden for families. However, time and again, the children in these families face adversity head-on and find a way to excel academically and thrive in their communities. The 9.11 Promise merit-based scholarship gives these special children the opportunity to continue a path of success.

In 2023, my husband and I formed a team to participate in the 9.11 Promise Run. Along with our three daughters, some other family members, and a few close friends, we laughed, argued, cried, and cheered each other on. It was hard! It was also one of the most personally impactful things that I have ever done. The people we met along the way were amazing, and the support we received from total strangers kept us going.

At the end, we all said that we would never do it again. We were wrong! Team Bluewater will be back on the road again in 2026, 25 years after the tragic attack on our country.

I will keep the promise to never forget what happened on September 11, 2001. I look forward to being a part of something that truly and significantly benefits the children of our fallen and disabled first responders and veterans. These children are our legacy and the future of our country.

Why I’m Here: Dave Morzenti

I am Dave Morzenti, and I serve on the Board of Directors of The 9.11 Promise. I would like to share with you some reasons why I work with this fantastic charitable organization. 

I graduated high school in 1991 and joined the Marine Corps Reserves as an enlisted infantryman. I was also attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison full-time and taking Naval ROTC classes with the goal of becoming a Marine Corps officer. I graduated from college in May 1995 and received my commission as a second lieutenant on active duty in the Marine Corps. 

As a Marine Corps officer, I was initially an Artillery Officer, and then I was selected to go to law school to become a military lawyer for the Marine Corps. I graduated from law school in May 2001, and in August 2001, I started Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. 

Then, our country was attacked by terrorists on September 11th. This tragic event changed the Marine Corps and the military, and greatly affected or influenced just about everything that I have been doing since then: deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan; helping Wounded Warriors; career assignments and duty stations; and supporting teammates, friends and family members through deployments.

At this point in my life and career, I feel like it is the right time to pass the torch to the next generation to work on the national security challenges facing our country. These challenges are more dangerous, more complex, and the world is more fragile than it was 25 years ago.  

In order to solve these tough challenges, the next generation is going to have to be well-educated to understand the complexity and history of what has happened before; to understand the mistakes that were made; and how to do things better in the future. They also have to know that they can count on those that came before them, and that they are not alone.

For me, working with The 9.11 Promise is a personally meaningful way to remember and honor all of those affected by the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and the wars and operations that followed; and providing educational scholarships to children of those injured or killed in the line of duty is a successful way to remember and honor their service and sacrifice.

Announcing 2026’s 25th Anniversary Run

In September 2026, The 9.11 Promise organization will host a commemorative run marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The multi-day endurance event will span from The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, to Ground Zero in New York City—honoring those lost, the heroes who responded, and the promise to never forget.

Runners will cover more than 200 miles in relay fashion, representing a powerful tribute to first responders, military service members and their families. Along the way, the event will raise funds to support scholarships for children of fallen or disabled first-responders and military personnel.

The 9.11 Promise Run continues to inspire unity, resilience, and remembrance through action. More details about participation, fundraising, and ways to support the cause will be available soon at 911promise.org.

Celebrating the 2025 Class of Scholarships

Congratulations to this year’s 9.11 Promise Scholarship Recipients! We had a record number of applicants this year and the most diverse group representing all branches of the U.S. military as well as police and fire departments from around the country! An extremely competitive group of young adults who have shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of challenges very few can comprehend.

Thank you to all of the athletes who fundraised, to the donors who opened their wallets, to the volunteers and to our sponsor, @raymondjames and the Valor Network!

Congratulations again to this year’s recipients!