9/11 ten years on: Family's pride in British-born Twin Towers hero [Rick Rescorla]

TheMirror ^ | Sept. 5, 2011 | Staff

[La Enchiladita]

The cousin of a British-born hero of 9/11, who died in the Twin Towers, has spoken of his continuing sadness and pride at what his relative did that day.

Rick Rescorla, who was head of security for banking firm Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, is credited with saving 2,700 people ten years ago by making sure they left the World Trade Centre's South Tower before it collapsed.

The 62-year-old Cornishman, who became a US citizen in the 1960s and was decorated during service in the Vietnam War, foresaw the terrorist attacks, with his warnings featuring in a Channel 4 documentary in 2005, entitled The Man Who Predicted 9/11. He made staff at the bank regularly practice escape drills which later saved their lives.

He was last seen going back up the stairs of the tower looking for stragglers. His body has never been found.

[La Enchiladita]

Aloha, Aloha Ronnie.... so good to see at this time of commemoration. God bless.

[La Enchiladita]

Amen, FRiend.

[La Enchiladita]

Headline on yahoo news today:

A family remembers: Hero of 9/11 gave life to save thousands

Despite having received official instructions to stay put after the 8:46 a.m. crash next door, Rescorla told Morgan Stanley staffers to follow his evacuation plan, and he sent them two by two, as they had practiced, down the many flights of stairs. His decision and his preparation made all the difference. Although 13 employees -- including Rescorla -- perished, more than 2,500 employees left the tower alive. That's where the word "miracle" comes in. It's also where the word "hero" comes in.

According to "The New Yorker," Rescorla used his cell phone to call Hill to get updates on news footage as he directed employees by bullhorn. He was "calm and collected, never raising his voice. Then Hill heard him break into song," the article notes. He also called his wife, Susan. "If something should happen to me, I want you to know I've never been happier," he said."

[fatima]

Read his life story-Hero.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[LeoWindhorse]

” His remains have never been recovered. “ Just look up , he is there in the beautiful passing clouds at sunset :

Maj. Sullivan Ballou’s letter to his wife Sara :

July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington

My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more . . .

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt . . .

Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again . . .

Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the first Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

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“HEART of a SOLDIER” The Opera = T’was a truly transformational experience, for all the right reasons, in San Francisco last night that just cries out for New York City. Everyone, everywhere needs to feel deeply its living message of S.I.N.G. & L.O.V.E. for others ..fully and completely. RICK RESCORLA was a Man of a 1,000 years, for indeed such a one only comes once ...in a 1,000 years..!!!

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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New opera tells story of Sept. 11 Heroism

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2011%2F09%2F11%2Fentertainment%2Fe121022D59.DTL

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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RICK RESCORLA continues to inspire...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2011%2F09%2F12%2FDDFC1L1BI4.DTL&feed=rss.entertainment

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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A 9/11 hero’s epic love is brought to life in opera

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2011/09/a_911_heros_epic_love_is_broug_1.html

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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A 9/11 hero’s epic love is brought to life in opera

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2011/09/a_911_heros_epic_love_is_broug_1.html

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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Opera Review: ‘Heart of a Soldier’ (Los Angeles Times)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/09/opera-review-heart-of-a-soldier.html

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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Opera Review: ‘Heart of a Soldier’ (Los Angeles Times)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/09/opera-review-heart-of-a-soldier.html

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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‘Heart of a Soldier’ Opera Chronicles Heroism, Love Amid TRragedy of 9/11 (PBS)

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/july-dec11/opera_09-20.html

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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NEVER FORGET

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Secretary NAPOLITANO Presents the DHS Distinguished Public Service Medal Postumously to RICHARD RESCORLA

http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/20110921-napolitano-presents-award-richard-rescorla.shtm

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NEVER FORGET

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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http://blog.dhs.gov/2011/09/honoring-rick-rescorla.html (Photo)

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[ALOHA RONNIE]

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http://blog.dhs.gov/2011/09/honoring-rick-rescorla.html (Photo)

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