Posted on 05/21/2005 10:55:02 AM PDT by Lexington Green
Tony Blair has backed calls for a posthumous honour for a British-born hero of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York, it has emerged.
Rick Rescorla served in Vietnam Rick Rescorla, 62, was head of security for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter when two hijacked airliners hit the World Trade Centre in 2001.
He died after helping save 2,700 people by making sure they left the South Tower before it collapsed. His body has never been found.
Originally from Hayle, west Cornwall, Mr Rescorla was granted US citizenship in the late 1960s and served in Vietnam.
In 2002 he was turned down for a UK gallantry award because he did not meet the criteria, but now the Prime Minister has supported the campaign to have his courage recognised in the United States.
In a letter to Cornish Lib Dem MP Andrew George, Mr Blair wrote: "You may be aware that there has been a campaign in the US to secure a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom for Mr Rescorla.
"It appears that no medal has yet been awarded, but we are trying to find out the current position from the US administration.
"If the award is to be made, I believe this would be the most appropriate way to recognise Mr Rescorla's bravery. However, I will certainly see that the matter continues to be fully considered."
Mr George, whose St Ives constituency includes Hayle, welcomed the Prime Minister's response.
But he said: "Frankly it is shameful that we are now nearly four years on from the terrible event itself and Rick Rescorla has not received, posthumously, what all
ALOHA RONNIE, thank you, Sir - and all like you!
BUMP;BUMP...Thanks.
Signed.
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GARRY OWEN, Sir
(A U.S. 7th Cavalry Salute 2-U)
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GARRY OWEN, Sir
(A U.S. 7th Cavalry Salute 2-U)
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BUMP
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GARRY OWEN, Sir
(A U.S. 7th Cavalry Salute 2-U)
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Don't call me Sir......I work for a living!
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GARRY OWEN, Sir
(A U.S. 7th Cavalry Salute 2-U)
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AMERICA, such a Wonderful Country.
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We were briefed on the battle when I arrived. Background.
Send you a note.
A great battle shot.
No sleep for 48 hours.
Grimy, unshaven, filthy uniform.
Canteens loose, dogtags hanging out, pocket unbuttoned, helmet strap hanging.
No insignia of rank, sleeves up.
Dirty fingernails.
His bayonet is fixed; trigger finger alert and ready for action.
Lt. Rick Rescorla, Platoon Leader, B Co 2/7 Cav in Bayonet Attack on the morning of 16 Nov 1965.
Photo by Peter Arnett
My husband, Rick Rescorla, was one of the 3,000 Americans murdered by terrorists on 9/11/01. Rick was Vice President of Security for Morgan-Stanley/Dean-Witter, the largest tenant in the World Trade Center. His heroic actions on the day of the attack, along with his extraordinary foresight and preparation, saved the lives of 2,700 people. His story has been told on television and radio - in newspapers and magazines - and in the book Heart Of A Soldier, by Pulitzer Prize winner James B. Stewart. Rick is also on the cover of another book, We Were Soldiers Once... And Young, written by General Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway. You see, 9-11 was not the first time Rick had distinguished himself. 9-11 was just the last heroic chapter of his heroic life.
I am so very proud to have had him in my life. I want so to have his legacy live on. Two years ago Rick's friends and I decided to establish The Richard C. Rescorla Memorial Foundation in Rick's memory, to keep present the magnitude of Rick's life and to promote the virtues Rick lived by – duty, honor, and courage.
Our first project is to erect a life-size bronze statue of Rick at the new National Infantry Museum to be built at Ft. Benning, Georgia. We have commissioned a prominent sculptor, Edward Hlavka, to create this work. The bronze will take a year to cast and will cost approximately $100,000. We have already raised a third of the monies. We need the rest, and are appealing to all those who would like to see a true American hero have this honor.
We are a non-profit foundation. All contributions will be tax deductible. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Susan Rescorla
Rick Rescorla Ping!
He died after helping save 2,700 people by making sure they left the South Tower before it collapsed. His body has never been found.
Bump!
This is way overdue. This man was a true knight of the highest order. His widow has been on New York talk shows and his story is incredible.
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