- Playing
- Radio Rookies - Joey Rizzolo
- From
- WNYC
FREEDOM WALK
Joey Rizzolo was six years old when he watched the events of September 11, 2001 on TV, while folding laundry with his grandma in his living room. At the time, Joey didn't understand the larger meaning of what was happening - all he knew was that planes had hit buildings. When, at 11 years old, he started to understand a little better what he saw, Joey decided to initiate a Freedom Walk to help residents of his town, Paramus, NJ, remember and honor the victims of 9/11. Joey continues to organize the event with a committee of teenagers, who carry out all the fundraising, publicity, and logistics. Last year's Freedom Walk drew almost 1,000 people.
More from WNYC
Radio Rookies - Our 9/11: Growing Up in The Aftermath
(00:58:59)
From: WNYC
To mark the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, Radio Rookies, WNYC’s Peabody Award-winning youth journalism program, presents “Our 9/11: Growing Up in The Aftermath”, an hour special ...
Radio Rookies - Brendan Illis
(00:07:17)
From: WNYC
After the death of Osama bin Laden, young people took to the streets to celebrate and there was discussion in the media about a "9/11 Generation," the young people who came ...
Radio Rookies - Erin Reeg
(00:09:10)
From: WNYC
Erin Reeg's parents were paramedics when they met and fell in love. They went on to become a firefighter and a nurse who instilled in their two daughters the ability to react ...
Radio Rookies - Norhan Basuni
(00:09:34)
From: WNYC
Norhan Basuni divides her life into the time before September 11th, and the time after. For her, it is the day that she became a symbol of Islam, and to some, of terrorism. ...
Radio Rookies - Eric Leinung
(00:10:04)
From: WNYC
Eric Leinung was 11-years-old when his older brother, Paul, went to work on the 100th floor of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Paul didn't make it out.
Radio Rookies - Jillian Suarez
(00:05:27)
From: WNYC
Jillian Suarez's story is one she says she doesn't want to tell with tears. Jillian's father, a New York City police officer, didn't come home on 9/11 and for three months ...
Fishko Files: See For Yourself
(00:06:58)
From: WNYC
It seems likely that the 9/11 site and memorial will be among the most-if not THE most-visited sites in the US, with millions expected to pay their respects. In a world in ...
Living Nine Eleven
(00:59:00)
From: WNYC
Ten years after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, as part of WNYC's "Decade: 9/11" coverage, this special explores people's most visceral and immediate emotional ...
Radiolab Show 1003: Loops
(00:59:01)
From: WNYC
Around and around and around and around and around...
Related Pieces
Piece Description
FREEDOM WALK
Joey Rizzolo was six years old when he watched the events of September 11, 2001 on TV, while folding laundry with his grandma in his living room. At the time, Joey didn't understand the larger meaning of what was happening - all he knew was that planes had hit buildings. When, at 11 years old, he started to understand a little better what he saw, Joey decided to initiate a Freedom Walk to help residents of his town, Paramus, NJ, remember and honor the victims of 9/11. Joey continues to organize the event with a committee of teenagers, who carry out all the fundraising, publicity, and logistics. Last year's Freedom Walk drew almost 1,000 people.
Timing and Cues
Length to SOC: 6:10 (plus a music trail of star spangled banner to 7:02) Out cue: "For WNYC, I'm Rookie Reporter Joey Rizollo"
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Growing up in New York after 9/11, many young people were forced to grapple with the ramifications of the attacks. An estimated 3000 lost a parent; others had to move out of their homes or schools. Radio Rookie Joey Rizzolo grew up in Paramus, New Jersey and - though 7 people from his suburban town died - he was not personally affected. But years later, September 11th came to define his life. Here's the second in our series of stories about growing up after 9/11.
OUTRO:For more information on Radio Rookies, go to RadioRookies-dot-org.
Related Website
