Remembering Our Heroes of 9/11

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the attack of our nation on 9/11. Remembering our heroes, survivors and those who lost their lives. Our heroes that day came in many forms: plane passengers, firefighters, EMS, police, search dogs, a retired Army Officer and so many more, while almost 3,000 Americans lost their lives. Today, we want to shine a light on those who showed their true heroism on that day.

PHOTOGRAPH BY U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY PRESTON KERES

Rick Rescorla

Rick Rescorla was a retired Army Officer who worked in the south tower of the World Trade Center. He was present when a bomb attack happened in 1993 and had been preparing ever since. Over the years, he practiced safety drills with his employees and kept on high alert. The moment the plane struck the north tower, he used a bullhorn to alert his employees and to get them out as fast as possible. In the stairwell, he kept them present and calm by singing old songs he used to sing with his soldiers while in the Vietnam war. Each of his employees left unscathed, but Rescorla wasn’t finished. He knew others needed help escaping and went right back up to help while his life was on the line. He was last seen on the 10th floor and saved many lives that day.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TAMARA BECKWITH / THE NEW YORK POST

Salvatore D’Agostino, Matt Komorowski, Chief John Jonas, Mike Meldrum, and Bill Butler

Ladder 6 firefighters risked their lives to save those who needed it. Chief John Jonas was concerned the north tower would be next, so he ordered his men to quit the search after 27 floors. But on floor 20, they felt the building tremble and knew they needed to get out as soon as possible. Just as this happened, a bookkeeper had descended 50 stairs on her own and wasn’t sure she could make anymore. She ran into the firefighters just in time and Chief John Jonas ordered his men to rescue her before escaping themselves. They did so and as they descended the staircase with her in their arms, the north tower crumpled and peeled away leaving only the spot on the staircase where they were standing. If they hadn’t slowed down to help her during their escape, they wouldn’t have made it.

PHOTOGRAPH | TOWER OF VOICES MEMORIAL FOR PASSENGERS| BY STEVE HEAP / SHUTTERSTOCK

Passengers & Crew of Flight 93

4 aircrafts were hijacked that day. One did not complete it’s mission, thanks to our brave citizens. 2 were flown into the World Trade Center and 1 was flown into the Pentagon. This heroic story is of flight 93, who’s Hijackers had taken control but aborted their mission. The hijackers were wearing red bandanas and wielding knives, pushing people to the back of the plane. Then they entered and locked the cockpit taking control of the aircraft. Passengers on the airplane called loved ones and reported it to authorities. After hearing about the earlier attacks, they knew they were headed to hurt innocent people.

Passengers of flight 93 decided to protect the innocent at all cost and fight back. Flight attendant Sandra Bradshaw boiled water to throw at the hijackers. Passengers gathered any weapons they could find, including the food cart. Launching the food cart at the cockpit door and attempting to break entry, the hijackers feared the cockpit would be breached. They crashed the plane in an empty field. The passengers saved many others and gave their lives for it, as they were headed in the direction of the White House or Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

PHOTOGRAPH BY U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY PRESTON KERES

Water Rescue, Search-and-Rescue Dogs, Newfoundland, CA

· After fleeing the Word Trade Center, thousands needed evacuated from the area. The Coast Guard asked all boats for help 150+ ferries, yachts, tour boats, tugboats and more rushed to the area to rescue people, helping over 500,000 citizens to safety at Staten Island, Ellis Island and New Jersey, despite the fear of another imminent attack.

· 300 Search-and-rescue dogs worked the rubble alongside thousands of people searching, too. They were able to search quicker, squeeze into small spaces and sniff out the best spots to search.

· After the airplane attacks, all airlines ordered their planes to land immediately. 38 large airlines were near a small airport in Gander, Newfoundland in Canada. 7,000 passengers needed somewhere to stay for 7-days and the people of Gander stepped up to shelter and feed those in need.

On this day, we remember the countless who deserve to be here with us today. Those that lost their loved ones. And those who bravely fought back.