The catastrophic events of September 11, 2001, captivated the world, produced heroes and villains and generated a myriad of emotions from virtually every American. For 13-year-old Christopher, the tumultuous time created a hero. On the day when New York City came under attack from hijacked airliners, New York City Fire Chief Joseph Pfeifer was the first battalion chief to arrive at the World Trade Center. He gave orders from inside the north tower of the World Trade Center and helped supervise the rescue efforts before escaping the tower’s collapse. Christopher asked volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of North Texas to help him meet the man made famous by the documentary “9/11,” released on the six-month anniversary of the tragedy.

Wish granters sent Christopher and his family – including mom Sonya, sister Valerie, and his dad, also named Christopher – to New York City on an adventure that brought the teen home with a new job title. The family’s first stop was the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) headquarters in Brooklyn, where the FDNY commissioner swore in Christopher as a New York City firefighter. In addition to joining the ranks of his heroes, he also received an official hat, sweatshirt, and plaque. Next came photos with the commissioner and the man he came to meet, Chief Pfeifer.

The family’s tour continued with a trip to a real firehouse, home to Christopher’s new colleagues, the New York City firefighters. The men welcomed the family, prepared lunch, and presented Christopher with a delicious cake. The smiling boy also explored the firehouse and rode on a fire truck. During the trip to the firehouse, French filmmakers creating a follow-up documentary about September 11 recorded Christopher’s visit as part of their project.

Lastly, the family received a limousine ride to Ground Zero, site of the fallen Twin Towers. Officers stopped traffic along the way to give Christopher direct access to the monument. Once there, personnel from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey provided a comprehensive tour of the area. For souvenirs, the teen received a commemorative September 11 American flag and a piece of marble from the debris.

According to wish granters with the North Texas chapter, “The wish was beyond all expectations!” The experience also had a very powerful effect on Christopher. He is determined to be a firefighter when he gets older.