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It seems this year this tragic day is fraught with political issues when it should be about remembering those we have lost and those we love.

Every year, I write about the soldiers who have gone off into war as a reaction to this sad day but there are so many other people who should be acknowledged for their heroism, courage, and strength.

Have you ever heard of Rick Rescorla? Me neither.

A British volunteer soldier in the Vietnam War Rick Rescorla’s actions saved many of his fellow soldiers. As the commander, many other brigades had a fatality rate of over 50% but due to Rick’s actions and leadership his group suffered only eight casualties.

Sometime after the war he became head of security for Morgan Stanley bank and immediately began assessing the security situation. This company employed nearly three thousand people in the second tower and Rick knew that as an iconic American image as well as being easily spotted in the New York City skyline this building would be a target. At first, it was a truck bomb in the basement of building two but soon after Rick Rescorla began predicting other ways terrorists might attack and how he could mitigate the damage. New safety lighting was placed in all the stairwells and ventelation was installed to pull smoke so during evacuation people could see the way out. Further more, he ran quartlerly “fire drills” in his company so that three thousand people would know where to go in case of an emergency.

On September Eleventh 2001 when the first building was hit, Rick Rescorla ignored what the authorities said and began evacuating his people encouraging the other floors to evacuate as well. On this terrible day nine years ago after leading the majority of Morgan Stanley’s employees to safety he went back into the building to rescue anyone who hadn’t yet left.

He was never seen again.

Of the 2700 employees of Morgan Stanley due to Rick Rescorla’s actions only six were lost. Four of those six were Rescorla and three deputies who followed him back into the building – Wesley Mercer, Jorge Velazquez, and Godwin Forde.

It doesn’t matter what you do or don’t believe in, but if you read this please light a candle for those we have lost, loved ones currently in danger, and for those who serve in any capacity.

With Deepest Sincerity,
Jess

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