Weapons Station Yorktown’s Youth Center Honors 9/11 Legacy with $2,500 Service Grant and First Responder Outreach

Story by Max Lonzanida Public Affairs Officer, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

Yorktown, Va. (September 18, 2026) Military affiliated children from the Youth Center onboard Weapons Station Yorktown honored the national legacy of September 11, 2001, earlier this month in a meaningful and impactfully unique way. This was done via a generous Boys & Girls Club of America (BCBA) 9/11 Day Outreach Grant in the amount of $2,500, which in-turn allowed for special 9/11 programming and outreach for first responders in the community.

This initiative aligned with the broader National Day of Service associated with 9/11 events across U.S. Navy installations, bridging the generational gap for Yorktown’s military affiliated youths who were born long after the tragic events of that fateful day. While none of the children at the Youth Center today were alive during the attacks, the grant-funded programs provided them with a meaningful connection to American history, the spirit of civic duty, and the heroic sacrifices made by first responders and service members.

Historical accounts denote the U.S. Navy’s immediate, decisive response following the 2001 attacks. In the fragile hours after the crisis unfolded, the Navy mobilized rapidly to defend the homeland and spearhead relief operations. Deploying from nearby Norfolk, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) rushed to the waters off New York City to establish air defense and surface security over Lower Manhattan. Simultaneously, the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) sailed to Manhattan's Pier 92, providing an essential afloat command node, medical sanctuary, hot meals, and crucial respite for thousands of exhausted police officers, firefighters, and relief workers tirelessly searching Ground Zero.

As part of the 9/11 grant, Youth Center staff members hosted educational sessions for children enrolled in Youth Center programs. Discussions centered around the tragic events of that fateful day and the significance of national unity. Youth Center enrollees also had several opportunities to create thank you cards for local first responders, which were incorporated into lunch totes filled with healthy shelf-stable snacks and refreshments that were packed for first responders. The healthy refreshments and lunch totes were purchased with grant funds from the BCBA; which was a first award of its kind for any U.S. Navy installation the region.

The impactful heartbeat of the project culminated with visits to first responders in York County. On September 4th, school age children from the Youth Center visited Newport News Police Headquarters to deliver the specially packed lunch totes and tour the facilities. This allowed a unique opportunity to learn about fields in law enforcement and see law enforcement operations up-close. Another visit to York County’s Fire Station #2 allowed for the same interactions. The impactful visits with the firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency personnel also allowed children to connect the roles of their service member parents who stand on the front lines every day.

"Our youth program is dedicated to helping young people build character, develop leadership skills, and realize their full potential," said Jerry Graham, NWS Yorktown Youth Center Director. "This grant provided a wonderful opportunity for our military youth to connect with history, honor the legacy of 9/11 through direct action, and express their heartfelt gratitude to our local heroes."

Inspiring projects like these underscores how Weapons Station Yorktown’s Youth Center aligns directly with overarching Navy Child and Youth Programs (CYP) Fleet & Family Readiness goals. Overarching objectives of Navy CYP programs denote that robust, accessible, and high-quality childcare is an indispensable operational force multiplier. When service members know their children are thriving in safe, enriching environments, they can execute their defense mission with total focus and peace of mind. Steadfast and episodic partnerships with organizations like BGCA allow opportunities for NWS Yorktown Youth and Teen Programs continue to empower the next generation—building resilient leaders, fostering civic pride, and strengthening the foundation of our military community as a cornerstone of the many Quality of Life initiatives across the Navy’s shore enterprise.

For more information regarding Weapons Station Yorktown and Cheatham Annex Youth Programs offerings, upcoming events, or registration details, contact the Youth Center directly at (757) 887-4310 or visit the official website at https://www.navylifema.com/programs/0cd02c04-dcb6-4502-8574-55516cad29f3?utm_source=gemini.

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