JS Tip 597: We Must Remember

This morning at 8:46 EDT, we observe a grim anniversary.

It’s been nineteen years. 

We must remember the courage of those who led the way that day. 

For example— 

When American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower, Cyril Richard (“Rick”) Rescorla—born in the United Kingdom, a U.S. Army combat veteran, and Director of Security at Morgan Stanley—heard the explosion and saw the Tower burning from his office window on the 44th floor of the South Tower. 

He led people down a stairwell, calming employees as the building lurched from the crash of United Airlines Flight 175 into the South Tower. 

The building was doomed, and Rescorla knew that. 

He called his wife, telling her, “Don’t cry. I have to get these people out safely. If something should happen to me, I want you to know I've never been happier. You’ve made my life.” 

Evacuating more than two thousand employees, he went back—again and again—into the tower.

When a colleague warned him to get out of the building, Rescorla nodded and responded, “As soon as I make sure everyone else is out.”

He was last seen on the 10th floor, heading upward, moments before the tower collapsed. His remains were never found.

This is important. This is leadership. This is sacrifice. We must remember.

Next week, we’ll return to mundane things.

Almost all of this article comes from the Wikipedia entry, “Rick Rescorla.”

We’re grateful.