Thread by @jfwong

Today is 9/11, and it marks 18 years since the World Trade Towers were destroyed in a terrorist attack.

Every year I take some time to reflect on it, how it affected this country, and what it all means.

This year I read the heartbreaking story of a man named Rick Rescorla.

Rick Rescorla, born Cyril Richard Rescorla, was from Hayle, Cornwall. During his youth his hometown was the headquarters for the 175th Infantry Regiment. They were preparing for the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He idolized the soldiers, and joined the British military at age 17.

Fast forward to 1963. Cyril adopted the name "Rick" after immigrating to the United States and enlisting in the US Army. He was sent to Vietnam shortly after, described as "the best platoon leader I ever saw".

Rick received four honors including a Purple Heart for his service.

After retiring from the military, Rick wanted to just find peace. His good friend Daniel Hill, a Special Forces Ranger who is important to this story, said of him "He was terribly compassionate, unlike me... Rick died a little bit with every guy who died under his command.”

Rick moved onto become vice-president of security at Morgan Stanley. Their offices were in the World Trade Center.

In 1990, Rick asked Hill, trained in counterterrorism to look at the security of the building. Rick asked him, "How would you take this out?"

They both walked to the basement of the building. There was no security. Hill observed a truck full of explosives could take it out.

Rick took this to the Port Authority of New York, who essentially ignored him.

3 years later, a truck bomb exploded in the basement of the WTC.

Rick Rescorla and Daniel Hill were convinced the WTC would remain a target. They envisioned the next attack might be an air attack, some plane loaded with explosives.

Rick tried to convince Morgan Stanley to leave the WTC, but their commercial lease wouldn't expire until 2006.

Rick insisted on creating an evacuation plan for the 22 floors the company occupied. They practiced this rigorous drill twice a year. He followed the "Eight 'P's", taught to him in the military:

Proper Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.

On 9/11, 2001 at 8:46AM, Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. Rick Rescorla's prediction was correct, again.

Rick sprang into action, enacting his evacuation drill. The Port Authority was ordering him to not evacuate. Rick told them to piss off.

Those rescued recall Rick singing Cornish folk songs through his bullhorn as he calmly directed everyone to follow the evacuation procedures he designed.

At 9:03AM, Flight 175 crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center. Rick was still evacuating employees.

Fifteen minutes later, the phone rang. Rick was calling his wife. He told her, "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 made my life."

Rick rescued almost all of Stanley Morgan's 2,687 employees.

When he went back into the building one last time, his colleagues plead for him to evacuate too. Rick replied, "As soon as I make sure everyone else is out."

He was on the 10th floor, heading upwards. Ten minutes later, the building collapsed. His remains were never found.

Cyril Richard Rescorla was an American hero. By all accounts he was kind, giving, compassionate, and brave beyond measure.

Today, President Trump awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal. It's where I first read Rick Rescorla's name.

Rick Rescorla deserves this honor more than anyone else. The fact that Trump has now elevated his name for the world to see means we should hold him up together, and learn from his story together.

Cyril Richard Rescorla was an immigrant. He came to this country, persuaded by his American friend Daniel Hill, to join the army. Today, immigrants account for over 500,000 veterans. Mexico accounts for 17% of those veterans.

In 2002, President Bush designated non-citizen military personnel who began serving the military on or after September 11th, 2001 would become eligible for citizenship immediately after enlistment.

I think Rick Rescorla would have agreed with this, being an immigrant himself.

To have someone like Donald Trump hold up such an honorable man like Rick Rescorla for the world to see settles one thing in my mind:

This is a country of immigrants. It is what defines us, makes us stronger, and gives us something to be proud about. One final story about Rick:

At some point during the chaos of the September 11th attacks, Rick had to sit down from near heat exhaustion. He kept singing and speaking reassuringly.

"Slow down, pace yourself," he told one group. "Today is a day to be proud to be an American."

I can't read that quote without getting teary eyed. Rick Rescorla is what being an American is about. It's about Liberty and Justice for all.

So on this day of 9/11, I encourage everyone to think about and share the poem found at the Statue of Liberty in New York:

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
- Emma Lazarus

Rest in Peace, Cyril Richard "Rick" Rescorla. Thank you for your service.

You can read more about this remarkable and wonderful hero at any of these links below. The New Yorker article made me cry. A lot.

rickrescorla.com
americamatters.com/rick-rescorla-…
newyorker.com/magazine/2002/…

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