Heroism on 9/11
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This is what we need to hear.
Rick Rescorla, who saved all but 6 of his 2700 employees during the 9/11 attacks by directing people down the stairs using a bullhorn and encouraging them by singing Cornish songs.
Rescorla was the Director of Security for Morgan Stanley in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. A retired U.S. Army officer who had fought in Vietnam, Rescorla was known for his meticulous attention to safety. In the years prior to 9/11, he had repeatedly warned that the towers were vulnerable to attack, particularly by aircraft. His insistence on preparedness led him to run frequent evacuation drills, sometimes frustrating employees but ensuring they knew exactly what to do in an emergency.
When American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower at 8:46 a.m., Port Authority officials advised workers in the South Tower to remain at their desks. Rescorla ignored those instructions. Grabbing his bullhorn, walkie-talkie, and cell phone, he immediately began leading Morgan Stanley’s 2,700 employees out of the building. Calm and authoritative, he directed people into the stairwells, urging them to stay composed. To keep spirits steady, he sang traditional Cornish songs from his childhood, including “Men of Harlech.” Survivors later recalled that his singing provided a sense of calm in the chaos.
Thanks to his leadership, nearly every Morgan Stanley employee made it out alive. Tragically, Rescorla himself did not survive. After ensuring thousands were safe, he returned to the building to search for stragglers and was last seen heading upward shortly before the tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m.
Rescorla’s actions are credited with saving over 2,700 lives. Today, he is remembered as one of the great civilian heroes of 9/11, embodying courage, preparation, and selflessness.
