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Three portraits of firefighters posed in front of red fire trucks at a fire station

Matt Asaro, Rebecca Asaro, and Carl Asaro Jr.

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Family Duty

The Asaro siblings found a special way to honor their father, a hero firefighter who died on 9/11.

September 7, 2026
By Alicia Green

Courtesy of family

Carl Asaro (far left) poses with five of his six kids in the 1990s.

Before going to bed on September 10, 2001, Rebecca Asaro asked her dad, Carl, for some mints. 

“In the morning, I saw him leaving them on my nightstand,” recalls Rebecca, who was 9 years old at the time. “He kissed me goodbye before he went to work.”

That was the last time Rebecca saw her father.

That morning, September 11, terrorists flew two planes into the Twin Towers in New York City. Carl was one of 343 firefighters who sacrificed their lives to help others. 

It’s been 25 years since that tragic day, now known as 9/11. Today Rebecca and three of her brothers are keeping their dad’s memory alive in a special way. They’re firefighters for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), just like Carl was.

Before bedtime on September 10, 2001, Rebecca Asaro asked her dad for some mints. 

“In the morning, I saw him leaving them on my nightstand,” says Rebecca, who was 9 then. “He kissed me goodbye before he went to work.”

That was the last time Rebecca saw her dad, Carl.

That morning, September 11, terrorists flew two planes into the Twin Towers in New York City. Carl was one of 343 firefighters who gave their lives to help others. 

It’s been 25 years since that sad day. It’s now known as 9/11. Today Rebecca and three of her brothers are honoring their dad in a special way. They’re firefighters. They work for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), like Carl did.

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

Forever Changed

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

The attacks of 9/11

At 8:46 a.m. on 9/11, a plane slammed into one of the Twin Towers. A second plane hit the other tower 17 minutes later.

Firefighters, police officers, and other emergency workers rushed to the site. As panicked people ran from the 110-story skyscrapers, first responders dashed into the smoke and fire.

Carl was one of them. He wasn’t scheduled to work that day. But a coworker had asked him to cover his shift. Carl set up a command center in the South Tower. He worked to get more help on the scene.

Suddenly, the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m. The North Tower crumbled shortly after. The six Asaro kids and their mom waited to hear if Carl was OK. 

“We held out hope,” says Carl Asaro Jr., who was 13 at the time. “We didn’t understand completely how terrible everything was.” 

At 8:46 a.m. on 9/11, a plane hit one of the Twin Towers. A second plane hit the other tower 17 minutes later.

Firefighters and police officers rushed over. Panicked people ran from the 110-story buildings. But first responders ran into the smoke and fire.

Carl was one of them. He wasn’t supposed to work that day. But a coworker had asked him to cover his shift. Carl set up a command center in the South Tower. He was getting more help on the scene.

Suddenly, the South Tower fell. It was 9:59 a.m. The North Tower fell shortly after. The Asaro family waited to hear if Carl was OK.  

“We held out hope,” says Carl Asaro Jr., who was 13 then. “We didn’t understand completely how terrible everything was.”

A Hole in the Family

Sadly, Carl never came home. He was among the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on 9/11. 

Growing up, the Asaro kids missed their dad. They longed to ride bikes, play football, and listen to music with him. 

“He was a big kid,” says Matt Asaro, who was 12 on 9/11. 

The siblings never forgot how their father loved to help people. In 2014, Carl Jr. became an FDNY firefighter. His siblings Rebecca, Marc, and Matt soon followed. 

“I’d like to think he’s proud,” Carl Jr. says.

Rebecca agrees. She now works in the same firehouse where her father did. 

“I know my dad’s with me,” she says. 

Sadly, Carl never came home. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on 9/11. 

Growing up, the six Asaro kids missed their dad. They longed to ride bikes and listen to music with him.  

“He was a big kid,” says Matt Asaro. He was 12 on 9/11. 

The siblings never forgot how their dad loved to help people. In 2014, Carl Jr. became an FDNY firefighter. Rebecca, Marc, and Matt soon followed. 

“I’d like to think he’s proud,” Carl Jr. says.

Rebecca agrees. She now works in the same firehouse where her father did. 

“I know my dad’s with me,” she says.

Remembering a Hero

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Asaro family will visit a memorial honoring the 15 firefighters from Carl’s firehouse who died that day. They hope people never forget their father’s bravery. 

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

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Asaro family will visit a memorial. It will honor the 15 firefighters from Carl’s firehouse who died that day. They hope people never forget their father’s bravery.   

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

Never Forget

  • On September 11, 2001, a terrorist group called Al Qaeda (ahl KAY-dah) attacked the United States.
  • After the attacks on the Twin Towers, a third plane hit the Pentagon. That building, near Washington, D.C., is the headquarters of the U.S. military.
  • Another plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It was likely headed to the White House or U.S. Capitol. But passengers fought the terrorists and stopped that. 
  • After 9/11, the U.S. government tightened security at airports and in public buildings.
  • On September 11, 2001, a terrorist group called Al Qaeda (ahl KAY-dah) attacked the United States.
  • After the attacks on the Twin Towers, a third plane hit the Pentagon. That building, near Washington, D.C., is the headquarters of the U.S. military.
  • Another plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It was likely headed to the White House or U.S. Capitol. But passengers fought the terrorists and stopped that. 
  • After 9/11, the U.S. government tightened security at airports and in public buildings.

Masatomo Kuriya/Corbis via Getty Images

The Twin Towers on 9/11

1. What was Carl Asaro doing when he died, according to the article?

2. What does the author mean when she writes that some of the Asaro siblings “are keeping their dad’s memory alive in a special way”?

3. What is the purpose of the map on page 3?

1. What was Carl Asaro doing when he died, according to the article?

2. What does the author mean when she writes that some of the Asaro siblings “are keeping their dad’s memory alive in a special way”?

3. What is the purpose of the map on page 3?

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