StoryCorps records true stories as told by real people and then brings them to life with animation. In John and Joe, retired New York City firefighter John Vigiano Sr. describes how his two sons grew up to be a firefighter and a police detective, and gave their lives responding to the disaster on September 11. 

Jason Sondhi, writing for Short of the Week, hones in on what makes StoryCorps' 9/11 Series so powerful: 

Maintaining the same vintage cartoony-style of the series, these films carry an added emotional heft due to the tragedy inherent in their stories. They are simple works, befitting the everyday lives that were nonetheless changed forever nearly 10 years ago. 

Watch Always a Family, another moving film from StoryCorps' 9/11 Series.

To watch more videos by StoryCorps, or to find out how you can create your own story, visit StoryCorps.org. You can also make a donation to support their 9/11 video series.