Menu
Sign-in
See Student View
 
 
Home > > September 7, 2026 > Honoring Our Dad
Three firefighters in gear stand before a fire truck as one holds a framed portrait of a firefighter

From left: Carl Jr., Rebecca, and Matt Asaro with a photo of their dad

Ilya Savenok/Getty Images 

Standards

Article Options

Presentation View
Teaching Resources

Lexile® measure

Language

Honoring Our Dad

The Asaro siblings became firefighters to honor their father, who died on 9/11.

September 7, 2026
By Alicia Green

Rebecca Asaro loves being a firefighter in New York City. Her coworkers are some of her closest friends. And she gets to help people.

“It doesn’t feel like a job,” she says.

Three of Rebecca’s brothers—Carl Jr., Matt, and Marc—are firefighters too. It’s one way the siblings keep their dad’s memory alive.

Their father, Carl, was one of the 343 firefighters who died trying to save people on September 11, 2001. That day is now known as 9/11. It is one of the saddest days in U.S. history.

Rebecca Asaro loves being a firefighter. She works in New York City. Her coworkers are close friends of hers. And she gets to help people.

“It doesn’t feel like a job,” she says.

Three of Rebecca’s brothers are firefighters too. Their names are Carl Jr., Matt, and Marc. The job helps the siblings keep their dad’s memory alive.

Their dad, Carl, died trying to save people on September 11, 2001. He was one of 343 firefighters who died that day. That day is known as 9/11. It is one of the saddest days in U.S. history.

 Shutterstock.com (frame); Courtesy of family (family photo, Carl Asaro)

Carl Asaro with five of his six kids in the 1990s

Forever Changed

On 9/11, terrorists attacked America. Terrorists use violence to spread fear or to try to force leaders to do something. In New York City, terrorists flew two planes into the Twin Towers. People ran from the burning buildings. But Carl and hundreds of other first responders did the opposite. They ran into the skyscrapers to rescue people.

Sadly, the Twin Towers collapsed that day. And Carl never made it home.

On 9/11, terrorists attacked America. Terrorists use violence. They spread fear or try to force leaders to do something. In New York City, terrorists flew two planes into the Twin Towers. People ran from the burning buildings. But first responders like Carl did the opposite. They ran into the buildings to save people.

Sadly, the Twin Towers fell that day. And Carl never made it home.

Bravery Runs In Their Family
Watch a video to hear more from the Asaro siblings.

A Hole in the Family

Growing up without their dad was difficult for the six Asaro kids. They missed riding bikes and listening to music with him.

“He liked to have fun,” Matt explains.

In 2014, Carl Jr. was the first of the siblings to become a firefighter.

“It’s been the best decision I ever made,” says Carl Jr. “I like to think he’s proud.”

For the six Asaro kids, growing up without their dad was hard. They missed riding bikes and listening to music with him.

“He liked to have fun,” Matt says.

In 2014, Carl Jr. became a firefighter. His siblings soon followed.

“It’s been the best decision I ever made,” says Carl Jr. “I like to think he’s proud.”

Remembering a Hero

This year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The Asaro family plans to visit a special memorial. It honors their dad and some of the other firefighters killed that day. The family hopes people never forget their father’s bravery.

“Superheroes aren’t only in movies,” says Rebecca. “He was my superhero.”

This year is the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The Asaro family plans to visit a special memorial. It honors their dad and other firefighters killed that day. The family hopes people never forget their father’s bravery.

“Superheroes aren’t only in movies,” says Rebecca. “He was my superhero.”

Never Forget

  • New York City wasn’t the only place attacked on 9/11. Terrorists also flew a plane into the Pentagon. That building is the headquarters of the U.S. military. It is near Washington, D.C.
  • Another plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Terrorists likely planned to fly it into the White House or U.S. Capitol. But passengers fought the terrorists and stopped that.
  • In total, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks.
  • After 9/11, officials in the U.S. made several changes to keep people safe. For example, there is now more security at airports and in public buildings.
  • New York City wasn’t the only place attacked on 9/11. Terrorists also flew a plane into the Pentagon. That building is the headquarters of the U.S. military. It is near Washington, D.C.
  • Another plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Terrorists likely planned to fly it into the White House or U.S. Capitol. But passengers fought the terrorists and stopped that.
  • In total, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks.
  • After 9/11, officials in the U.S. made several changes to keep people safe. For example, there is now more security at airports and in public buildings.

Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images

The Twin Towers before September 11, 2001

1. According to the article, how do some of the Asaro siblings “keep their dad’s memory alive”?

2. How does the Asaro family plan to spend the 25th anniversary of 9/11?

3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Never Forget”?

1. According to the article, how do some of the Asaro siblings “keep their dad’s memory alive”?

2. How does the Asaro family plan to spend the 25th anniversary of 9/11?

3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Never Forget”?

videos (2)
videos (2)
Skills Sheets (3)
Skills Sheets (3)
Skills Sheets (3)
Games (1)
TEACHER SUPPORT (1)
Leveled Articles (1)
Text-to-Speech