The Wantagh School District will host the 3^rd Annual Wantagh Warrior 9/11 Memorial 5K on Sunday, September 20, 2026 honoring the bravery and memory of those from the Wantagh community who were lost 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. The district is honored and proud to announce that the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF), returns as the Gold Star sponsor continuing the partnership with the school district.

 

The partnership with GSF, now in its third year, began in the spring of 2023 when the foundation selected Wantagh High School to participate in GSF’s Soaring Valor Program where 20 students traveled with 20 WWII Veterans to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans for three days to tour the museum and learn about the war directly from the greatest generation. That following August, the Gary Sinise Foundation once again partnered with Wantagh High School to participate in their first ever  9/11 Memorial & Museum educational program where students born after September 11, 2001 were provided a guided tour of the museum and interacted with first responders who served on that day and the years that followed to bridge that knowledge of service and sacrifice across generations. That led GSF to provide a grant that served as the seed funding to launch the annual 5K.

This year’s Speaker of Honor at the 5K is retired NYC Fire Department (FDNY) Commissioner Dan Nigro who was appointed to Chief of Department after Chief Peter J. Ganci Jr. was killed at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. At the time, Chief Nigro was responsible for overseeing all rescue and recovery operations at the site, the rebuilding of the FDNY after losing 343 members, and is currently the fourth longest serving Fire Commissioner in FDNY history. 

 

The District is on track to unveil a 9/11 memorial on school district grounds this September to honor those from the Wantagh community who were lost that day. Currently, the district is two years ahead of schedule and is in the final installation phase of this project. This memorial was strictly supported through the fundraising efforts of the Wantagh 9/11 Committee, which includes the 5K.

 

This past March, over 160 members of the school community visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City as part of the ongoing initiative to ensure students honor the memory, bravery, and selflessness of those impacted by 9/11. The proceeds raised from the run help reduce the trip cost for students from $100 to just $20. 

 

Additionally, a total of $3,500 in scholarships were awarded to seven Wantagh High School seniors during Senior Awards Night in the Spring to students with first responders or service members in their family. 

 

Each year on September 11^th during homeroom, the names of those with ties to the Wantagh community are read aloud to preserve their memory.  "As time passes, our responsibility to remember becomes even more important. For today's students, September 11 is history; for many in our community, it is a personal memory. By sharing the stories, reading the names, and reflecting together each year, we ensure that the lives lost and the lessons learned are never forgotten."

 

The 3^rd Annual Wantagh Warrior 9/11 5K offers special military, first responder, and student rates. Children can participate in the Kids 400m Dash Fun Run beginning at 8:30 a.m. For race, volunteer, donation, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit the Wantagh Warrior 9/11 5K  registration page. 

 

For additional information, please contact the 9/11 Committee via email. For more information on the Gary Sinise Foundation, please visit the Gary Sinise Foundation.

 

ABOUT THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION

Gary Sinise is an award-winning actor and humanitarian, best known for his roles in CSI:NY, Apollo 13, and his Oscar-nominated performance in the film Forrest Gump as the wounded Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan Taylor. An advocate for our nation’s defenders since the 1980s, after 9/11 Sinise began a tireless crusade to support America’s military and first responders around the world with handshake tours and concerts with his band, the Lt. Dan Band. In 2011, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation as an extension of those efforts. Today, the Foundation is building custom homes for severely wounded heroes, honoring and supporting the families of our fallen, providing essential equipment and training for first responders, improving the mental wellness of our defenders, and so much more. For more information and to support, visit the Gary Sinise Foundation.

ABOUT WANTAGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Wantagh School District prides itself on educating the whole student through its focus on academic excellence as well as social skills and respect for others. Each school supports a collaborative and supportive environment for students and staff alike. The district, located just 25 miles east of New York City in Wantagh, NY, includes three elementary schools (K-5), one New York State Essential Elements School to Watch middle school (6-8), one National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence high school (9-12), and was named a NAMM Foundation Best Communities for Music Education program. For more information, please visit the Wantagh School District website.

ABOUT ORLIN & COHEN SPORTS MEDICINE

Orlin & Cohen offers a specialized sports medicine program exclusively for high school athletes. Available throughout Nassau and Suffolk, this program leverages all the resources that make us Long Island’s premier private orthopedic practice: Our fellowship-trained sports medicine subspecialists work together with our in-house diagnostic team and technology, as well as experienced physical therapists to develop and implement a treatment plan that provides your athlete with a faster, safer return to play.

WANTAGH 6-12 ASSOCIATION 

The Wantagh 6-12 Association is made of Wantagh School District parents who volunteer at events throughout the school year. Members assist with the 6th grade orientation, book fair, Honor Society receptions, Teacher Tenure reception, senior awards nights, senior breakfast, 8th grade crossing over, and more. Through support of membership and fundraisers throughout the year, Wantagh 6-12 Association is able to assist with providing educational programs to students, beautification around the school, as well as numerous scholarships to graduating seniors.

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*For press inquiries, please contact Kimberly Thomas at (516) 765-4104 or send an email to thomask@wantaghschools.org.