Media Kit

Why Scott Schermerhorn’s Here

Scott Schemmerhorn, a fourth-generation firefighter and Deputy Chief with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, brings nearly 30 years of fire service experience to his role on the board of directors of the 9.11 Promise Organization. Having witnessed the events of September 11th, 2001, Scott carries a deep and personal connection to the 343 firefighters, 23 NYPD officers, and 37 Port Authority police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice that day. Their courage — and the daily courage of first responders everywhere — drives his commitment to honoring those who place the safety of others above their own.

Since joining the 9.11 Promise board in 2019, Scott has also served on the organization’s scholarship committee, supporting its mission through action and advocacy. The 9.11 Promise hosts a signature relay run from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, to Ground Zero in New York City, and awards merit-based scholarships to dependents of military personnel and first responders who were killed or permanently injured in the line of duty. For Scott, this work is not ceremonial — it is a lasting commitment to remembrance, honor, and ensuring the legacies of the fallen live on through opportunity.

A Full-Circle Journey with 9.11 Promise

Three years ago, I submitted my very first application for the 9.11 Promise Scholarship, an opportunity created to support the children of 9/11 first responders throughout their time in college. Now, I’m approaching my final year as an undergraduate student, and in a full-circle moment, my younger brother is preparing to apply for the scholarship for the very first time.

My name is Gretchen Murphy, and I am currently a junior at Marist University, majoring in Communication with a double concentration in Advertising and Public Relations, along with a minor in Vocal Music. In addition to my undergraduate studies, I have recently begun my Master’s in Marketing Communication with a concentration in Digital Marketing. I am on track to earn my bachelor’s degree in 2027 and my master’s degree in 2028.

During my time at Marist, I have been fortunate to take advantage of a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy where I gained a global perspective on communications and culture. On campus, I served as a Junior Firm Director and Account Executive at North Road Communications, Marist’s student-run integrated marketing communications firm, and worked with the Center for Career Services, helping my peers prepare for their professional careers in the workforce. I am also a member of Marist’s Choral Singers ensemble and the competitive a capella group, The Enharmonics. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how much has changed in just three years, and even more meaningful to know that the 9/11 Promise has been there to help and support me throughout my whole experience thus far.

When I was given the opportunity to speak on the second night of the 9/11 Promise run and tell my dad’s story, I got to meet the people behind this incredible cause face-to-face. I was genuinely moved. Something that has stuck with me since that night in the Trenton firehouse is that this organization is truly a family. I have felt nothing but support from 9.11 Promise for the last three years. Everything that I have done during my time in college has been in order to take advantage of the opportunity I was given to receive higher education from my family and from 9.11 Promise.

Everything that I have done during my time in college has been in order to take advantage of the opportunity I was given to receive higher education from my family and from 9.11 Promise.

In the last three years I’ve been able to travel throughout Europe and have the chance to study abroad, attend the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella with my group mates, work and lead over 25 non-profit organizations though North Road Communications, participate in several communications-based competitions, pursue an undergraduate and master’s degree, and discover what I truly want to pursue post-graduation, next year.

To everyone who had a role in giving me the opportunity to be a three-time recipient of the 9.11 Promise scholarship, I cannot thank you enough. This opportunity has shaped my college journey in ways I’ll always be grateful for, and I truly wouldn;t be where I am today without your support. And to my family, thank you for always being there for me. Whether in person or just a phone call away, your love and encouragement mean everything to me. 9.11 Promise will always mean so much to me, and I can’t wait for the day I’m able to support the scholarship fund in return… just as soon as I commit to buying those running shoes and becoming a runner!

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.