Most Memorable Hour Ever

A few years ago mom bought me a book called "Heart of a Soldier." To this day it is one of the best books I have ever read. It tels the book aims to capture the enormity of the World Trade Center attack by retracing one of the lives lost in the disaster: that of Rick Rescorla, head of security for Morgan Stanley. From the late 1980s on, Rescorla tried to warn Port Authority officials that the World Trade Center was an easy target for terrorists. On September 11, after safely evacuating the Morgan Stanley offices in the south tower (he kept people calm by singing into his megaphone), Rescorla went back into the building minutes before it collapsed to search for stragglers. This wasn't his first selfless act of bravery: a Vietnam veteran, Rescorla won a Silver Star and other medals for his role in the Ia Drang valley an important American victory, but one whose devastating losses turned Rescorla against the war. Piecing together the recollections of, among others, Rescorla's widow, Susan, his best friend and fellow soldier, Daniel Hill, to narrate Rescorla's life story, the book also weaves in Susan's, and describes the Rescorlas' blissful mid-life relationship, a second marriage for both. His feats are portrayed in "We Were Soldiers." Today at the National Infantry Museum, a memorial for Rick Rescorla was dedicated. The NY Fire Department brought down a fire engine which is dedicated to those who lost their lives during 9/11. It had the names of all the fire men written on a plaque on the side of the fire engine. They also brought a twelve foot section of the steel from the south tower (where Rescorla worked) and gave it as part of the memorial. It was very moving. Firemen nationwide had helped relay the twelve foot steel piece across the U.S. There had been police escorts, parades, and flags lining the cars as they brought the beam down to Georgia. Rescorla's wife, Susan, also came and I was allowed the opportunity to meet her. She was a very gracious woman and appreciative of the military. The post two star general gave the speech and after unveiling the memorial, those in attendance went to sign the beam before being set up behind the museum. There were veterans there who had served with Rescorla in Vietnam and two walked up wearing their old cavalry uniforms, saluted me, and then told me some stories about Rescorla. It was a great day for me because I was in the presence of greatness. I will never forget this day.
The statue of Rick Rescorla in Vietnam


Ms. Susan Rescorla and Me

The twelve foot steel from the World Trade Centers south tower