Vice President Stands at Ground Zero with 9/11 Hero's Son: What's Happening?

Vice President JD Vance will stand Friday morning at Ground Zero with the son of a firefighter killed in the 9/11 attacks — as the Coast Guard names a ship in his honor.

Matthew Palazzo, an active-duty Coast Guard member, will join Vance as he serves as the top US official at the solemn 25th anniversary ceremony alongside all living former presidents.

Palazzo, who joined the Coast Guard in 2020, never knew his father, Jeffrey Palazzo, who responded to the Twin Towers terrorist attack with Staten Island-based FDNY Rescue 5.

New York firefighter Jeffrey Palazzo smiling in his helmet and gear. — New York firefighter Jeffrey Palazzo is pictured in his helmet and firefighting gear. Palazzo Family

Lisa Palazzo and Angela Danz hold framed images of the future Coast Guard Cutters named after their deceased spouses. — Lisa Palazzo and Angela Danz attend a US Coast Guard ceremony announcing the naming of two future cutters, the Jeffrey Palazzo and Vincent Danz, named after first responders who died on Sept. 11, 2001. William Farrington

The elder Palazzo and 10 colleagues from his rescue company, collectively known as the “Staten Island 11,” died when the towers collapsed.

He was a Coast Guard reservist at Station Rockaway at the time of his death.

His son followed him into the Coast Guard, currently serving as a machinery technician second class.

Official portrait of Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Palazzo in uniform, with an American flag behind him. — Coast Guard Reservist Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Palazzo was one of 343 New York Fire Department personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 11, 2001. USCG

Jeffrey Palazzo, a newly appointed New York firefighter, stands with his parents, Irene and Anthony, at his official induction ceremony. — Jeffrey Palazzo stands with his parents, Irene and Anthony, at his official FDNY induction ceremony. Palazzo Family

The Coast Guard will commission the Fast Response Cutter Jeffrey Palazzo in New York on Saturday. The 154-foot vessel will be based in Guam.

In total, 343 FDNY members were among the more than 2,700 victims of the al Qaeda attacks in New York City.

A U.S. Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter, named for Jeffrey Palazzo, sails on the ocean under a blue sky with white clouds. — A US Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter named for 9/11 hero Jeffrey Palazzo, an FDNY firefighter. USCG

Samantha Palazzo tracing the name of her father, Jeffrey Palazzo, on the September 11th Memorial in New York. — Vice President JD Vance will stand with Palazzo’s son Matthew at the 25th anniversary commemoration of 9/11. Jefferson Siegel – Pool via CNP

Vance will be joined at Ground Zero by Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

President Trump will lead a commemoration at the Pentagon.

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Vice President Stands at Ground Zero with 9/11 Hero's Son: What's Happening?