Rick Rescorla
Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 9:40PM A HERO OF THE FREE WORLD
Originally published in 2006, this is my account of but one man. I plan on posting this every September, on or near the 11th, in honor of Rick and all who perished that day. I will do this until I can do it no more.
Rick Rescorla was born in England. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1963 and retired as a colonel in 1990. Rick was a bonafide hero of the Vietnam war. In 1965, at the la Drang Valley battles, Lt. Gen. Hal Moore described him as “the best platoon leader I ever saw.” Rescorla’s men nicknamed him “Hard Core” for his bravery in battle. His heroism was documented and highlighted in the 2002 movie “We Were Soldiers” from the book “We Were Soldiers Once… and Young” co-written by Gen. Moore.
Since 1985, he worked in corporate security, subsequently becoming Vice President of Security for Morgan-Stanley/Dean-Witter, the largest tenant in the World Trade Center. After the 1993 attack, he trained all employees to evacuate the building. He maintained a structured, quarterly drill carried out by all staff to orderly get out. He is the man who predicted 9/11. Please see The Richard C. Rescorla Memorial Foundation.
On that fateful day, he safely evacuated all 2,800 Morgan-Stanley/Dean-Witter employees but himself and a few of his security staff. After doing his job, he returned to rescue others still inside. These were not even his people, yet, they were all his people. He was last seen heading up the stairs of the tenth floor of the collapsing WTC 2. His remains have not been recovered. He left a wife and two children. This man is widely recognized as being solely responsible for saving over 3,000 lives. Is it of any importance that he became an American citizen after Vietnam? He is a citizen for all mankind.
Rick Rescorla is but one hero who perished that fateful day, but what a man he was and what a soul he has that will and should live forever in the hearts and minds of everyone who cherishes freedom. All over the world.
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Dave Knechel | tagged 9/11, Flight 93, Pentagon, Rick Rescorla, September 11, WTC, World Trade Center | Share Article 
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Reader Comments (36)
What a great tribute, Dave.
Dave I like your new picture. This story is one that I never knew but is so sad. I hope, with this weekend coming up, that we will all be safe and also not to forget all of our fellow Americans who perished. Thanks for your website. It really means alot to me.
Thank you, southernlace. Like I said, every year, as long as I am still living, I will pay tribute to Rick Rescorla. Yes, he is but one hero, but in my opinion, he represents all that took place that day, when countless heroes died.
An amazing man. Dale knew several operating engineers who perished in the first attack (the truck-bomb was in the basement, near the equipment rooms). This man did all he could to prepare people, and to assist them that terrible day 10 years ago.
I heard on the news that officials are searching for 3 individuals (at least one an American citizen) who are plotting a car bombing for this weekend. Anniversaries mean a lot to many communities, and few folks know that September 11 has meaning to Islam going back hundreds of years.
Thank you for reminding us of Rick, and all those who lost their lives assisting others that day.
Thanks, Cindy, I wanted to try something totally different this time.
Putting this story up is one way I can let others know about this hero. Despite being born overseas, he was as much an American as me. Actually, he was a citizen of the world, world class. I can't believe it's been 10 years. I sure am praying that nothing happens this weekend.
Thank you, too, for appreciating my site. That means a lot to me and I've got to get off my duff and write more.
BRAVO!
Hi dadgum - Interesting that Dale knew some of the operating engineers. I don't know if you had a chance to watch the video, but it explains Rick's warnings about an impending attack, in 1993 and in the future. Too bad he was right, but no doubt, he did a wonderful thing. What a man.
Yes, I heard about 3 people possible planning another attack. God forbid. We, as a nation, are much more aware than we were 10 years ago. I don't think it will be as easy to carry out. I am not aware of the September 11 meaning in Islam. You piqued my interest.
Thank you for reading. Rick Rescorla deserves all of it and more.
ABSOLUTELY, Glenda!
I remember hearing about Rick after 9/11 but somehow did not get the whole story of his remarkable heroism. Thank you for the reminder; he is someone well worth remembering.
My pleasure, Sandy, thank you for reading. No doubt, Rick Rescorla was one heck of a guy.
Hi Dave,
I have been waiting for one of your posts to pop into my mailbox, wondering how you and your parents were doing and hoping all is good with you! Well, here it came today and it is a true gem! There are many heroes from 9/11 and it would be too hard for me to pick one specificall to read about but your choice was FANTASTIC!! I have a picture in my collection of a fireman from 9/11 sitting on a curb, covered in dust and soot with a dog sitting next to him also covered in soot, and both of them looking downward and showing so much raw emotion. As though the dog understands something horrible has happened and is mourning with the fireman.Your post has brought that image back to me along with some tears as well.
If you find out what 9/11 signifies to the muslims I would also like to know what it is.
Good to see you back at your computer creating posts as only you can!!
Hi Carole - My folks are doing OK. No real complaints at the moment, so that's a good thing. Thank you for caring.
Yes, there are countless heroes from 9/11, and to list them all would be impossible because we might skip one or more that we aren't aware of. Rick Rescorla was my first and only choice and he is so well deserving of whatever accolades we can say about him. Even then, there aren't enough words. That picture of the firefighter and dog is a real inspiration. I wonder if it's one I've seen, but cannot remember offhand, but I wouldn't mind posting it if it surfaces.
I think a lot of people are glad to see me back on the blog. Let's hope I can be a little more frequent than I've been lately. Thanks!
By the way, the following comment will be what dadgum e-mailed to me regarding the meaning of September 11 to Muslims.
There has been a great deal of speculation about this. Many believe that the date may have been chosen because September 11 was a very important date in Islamic history. The Ottomans (Muslim Turks) suffered defeat in the Battle of Zenta on September 11, 1697. Prince Eugene of Savoy and his troops killed 20,000 Ottomans, seized the Ottoman treasury (with its artillery and provisions) and took captive ten of the Sultan's wives. After the battle, the treaty of Karlowitz was signed, in which the Ottomans ceded Croatia, Hungary, Transylvania, and Slavonia to Austria.
"The last effort they [Muslims] made to destroy Christendom was contemporary with the end of the reign of Charles II in England and of his brother James and of the usurper William III. It failed during the last years of the seventeenth century, only just over two hundred years ago. Vienna, as we saw, was almost taken and only saved by the Christian army under the command of the King of Poland on a date that ought to be among the most famous in history - September 11, 1683. But the peril remained, Islam was still immensely powerful within a few marches of Austria and it was not until the great victory of Prince Eugene at Zenta in 1697 and the capture of Belgrade that the tide really turned, and by that time we were at the end of the seventeenth
century."
- From "The Great and Enduring Heresy of Mohammed," by Hilaire Belloc
(written in 1936).
THANK YOU, DADGUM!
Nice banner!
I'm glad you are going to put up this blog tribute to Rescorla every September 11th time of remembrance. It is a most fitting tribute to the man and heroes that abounded on that day. It is also a reminder that the U.S. had grown complacent about terror attacks despite the first attack on the WTC in '93 and the OKC bombing. Someone should have listened to this man. Well, we sure woke up big time on 9/11. May we never live in fear but may we never fall asleep again.
Dave~~I can appreciate why you singled out Rick Rescorla as a hero. There were many heroes in 1993 and again on Sept 11th but Rick stands out for many reasons. I had not watched the videos until today and I am amazed at what Rick went through.
Rick could never understand the Vietnam war. He even said that when they were deployed to Nam. He also said that he never withheld his emotions from his comrades. He said that the Muslims are an honorable people. It is just a few fanatic who retaliate. He also said that if the US wants to be the 'top cop', there will be retaliation even if it is 20 years down the road, not verbatim but it was the gist of his prediction.
Dave~~please excuse my typos . It is really difficult to try and proof read the small type before I click Create Post and I am still unable to revise. I am wondering if the gremlins stop me at the border.
What typos, Snoopy? I will continue presenting my tribute to Rick Rescorla every year. This year, I thought I would improve on what I put up last year by linking the video. I also added a link to the Rescorla memorial site on the right sidebar. That will remain as long as my blog is up.
I agree with his assessment of Muslims. They are not ALL bad. We live side-by-side with Muslims in all walks of life and they are no threat to our lives. Nor do they condone the violent methods of the lunatic fringe. At the same time, I will keep my eyes open. I just wish that the government would have listened to what he was saying all along. They didn't, and he died. His legend will live on, and I will do my part to make sure it does.
I have no idea what the comment edit glitch is all about, but Squarespace doesn't see it, so I don't know what can be done.
I don't see any typos Snoop..
lol
I can just barely see the posts once they are posted..I am typing sight-impaired, and arthritis fingered..
Dave..is there a way to make the 'comment' typeface just a hair larger??
I increased the size of the type. Let me know what you all think. Too big? Just right? I can bring it down a notch.
dadgum~~bless you for saying that you saw no typos. I also have old eyes and arthritic fingers.
I found the story of Rick so touching. What a man who did not even think of his own saftey when he saved so many. It was the same with all the firefighters. God has a special place in His heaven for all those people.
I think the memory of 9/11 will be forever etched in our minds. I know exactly what I was doing when my daughter phoned and she sounded hysterical, "oh my God, Mom, turn on CNN." I watched as the second plane hit the second tower. I can't explain how I felt except that I was numb and time seemed to stand still. Like everyone else, I was glued to the tv and prayed and cried.
Thank God, Canada was able to help in a small way as air traffic destined for the US was diverted here to Halifax, Newfoundland and other provinces.
I was amazed as I watched how a nation came together in a time of disaster, strangers comforting strangers, race, color and creed did not matter. We cannot bring back those who lost their lives on that fateful day but we can make them proud by standing tall and defending our principles.
To everyone:
On Windows, if you press the Control key (Ctrl) and the + key, you will increase the scale of the entire page. That will make it easier to read. Once you're through reading comments, you can reduce the scale by pushing the Ctrl key and the - key to bring it back to the original size. Just remember that... Control Plus, and Control Minus.
I did a lengthy comment prior to this and went to Preview Post and whoosh, it all disappeared, then I couldn't remember what I wrote.
Dave, I appreciate your post showing mankind as capable of caring and acting for the benefit of others. Rick Rescorla did not stop and ask himself if any one of the people he led to safety was worth his risk or were bad people. Remarkably strong in character I dare say he never saw himself as a hero, He just made his move for the betterment of all, without hesitation, obviously he was not a man bogged down with issues of hating and judgement, instead he walked on water and led thousands to safety. God always seems to give us someone who touches us with how "He" would have us be.
(I am not going to preview in thought that it may disappear again so please excuse likely errors)
Hi, New Puppy!!! What a treat!
I hate it when I lose a lengthy comment and have to start over again because I never write it again with the same fervor. Most of the time now, I write the comment in Notepad and copy&paste it onto the blog. Once it's published, I delete the other one. That's what I would recommend doing because it keeps me from going insane.
You know, I would like to think there's a little Rick Rescorla in all of us, but it isn't so. He never let the thought of death impede him at all. Like an armada, he said, "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead," and off he went into the sunset, never to be seen or heard from again. But for his sake, he is still seen and heard in the voices of those he saved throughout his heroic life. The man is an institution, and he will never be forgotten. I agree with you wholeheartedly. He had an extremely strong character, and he never looked at himself as any kind of hero - not in Vietnam or the WTC. He did what came naturally. What a shame there are so few people like him. By that, I mean exactly what you wrote. Too many people (look at anonymous online creeps, of which we know a few) are bogged down with issues of hating and judging others, but hey! I'm not going to judge.
How many people, dead or alive, could say they saved 3,000 lives? Something tells me, had he survived, he would have pshawed the thought. Focused, driven and humble; that's what he was.
Thank you. He is everything you said. God Bless Rick Rescorla.
Dave~~Oh I love this. I hit Ctrl and the + key and I am in heaven because I can see what I am typing.
Woot Woot!
New Puppy, seeing your comments has made my evening. I have really missed you. Ahem, we never got the blog daddy married off to that nice looking woman who stood in front of the judge. Oh well, can't say we didn't try.
I know that I am off topic but just couldn't help myself, with his wide monitor and huge font, I may never be the same.
Now, if I made a typo it is all my fault. I promise to stay on topic when I visit again.
See? I'm not as dumb as I look.
Dave: Thank you for doing your part to assure that the memory of this great man is never forgotten. Your tribute is very moving.
The events of that day changed the world. Here we are still reeling from it almost 10 years later.
Such a sobering realization.
I also thank Dadgum for mentioning the 'historical' significance of the date to Islamic history. Somehow though--knowing that--makes me shudder even more.
Just an FYI but, a relative of mine is now retired from Air Canada and he has a 'free' air pass. He left today on a trip and decided to take the train. I didn't have to ask him why.
You are quite welcome, nan11, and thank you, as well. He certainly left his mark in my world and I will never forget him. I only wish I could do more. As for 9/11 itself, unfortunately, we will feel the impact of those jets for the rest of our lives and there's no way to change it. It's hard to believe that barbarians still abound. It's obscene.
Dave; I thought you might like this.
Memorial Animations
I did watch the first video the other day, and I have it set up in draft form at the moment, to use on the 11th, but you are very observant, Weezie, and I want everyone to go look at that first video. Thanks. That's something to watch.
Snoopysleuth, I have hit a few snags in my road of life lately. As far as getting Dave married off I just decided it could happen and we would have to give him up. Never mess with another woman's man, I always say. since he hadn't responded to an email and a piece of music some time ago, I decided if they hadn't got him maybe you had. Dave is like a piece of art, never know what the light will do to it.
Spectacular one day, true expression hiding in the shadows another day. Well anyway, he is priceless. The gifts he gives is tremendously appreciated and sweet as honey...............so say we who love him.
I wasn't writing any e-mails to anyone for a while, New Puppy, but I am back in the game and I have a few things to tell you. Obviously, I haven't been too, too motivated lately, and I admit to being a seasoned procrastinator, but I assure you, that's all it is.
New Puppy~~Dave is a keeper! We must share him but I do not mind that at all. I did not know how addicted that I could become to the written word and our man knows how to put them on paper to keep our interest.
I tried to paste a link in here earlier but it would not show up. This blog seems to be tempermental but I shall forge on and make the best of it. I checked in to www.cnn.com and was reading up on the alert that was rec'd from Pakistan about a threat to New York and/or Washington. From what I read, the source has been known to be reliable in the past. They were looking for three men, two of which were Americans and I do not know the nationality of the other. I am trying to write this from memory but if anyone is interested, just go to www.cnn.com and you will see The Breaking News.
Dave, thanks for this article on Rick and for helping us to keep remembering him and all of those who lost their lives on that terrible day. It is too bad that no one listened to him and what he was trying to tell them. I am sure things would be different if they had. I agree with what New Puppy had to say about him not being bogged down with issues of hating and judgement. God Bless America!
It is always a pleasure to post something new, Mary Jo, especially when it comes to a true hero. At least, he'll never be forgotten. Indeed! God Bless America and God Bless Rick Rescorla.
Dave- Thanks for this remembrance of Mr. Rescorla. NPR had a segment on him this morning too, so I think he's going to be more and more in our collective thoughts around this time of year. All to the good.
I'll tell you what- several months ago, as I thought about how this tenth anniversary was going to feel with a then-still-alive Bin Laden I felt very, very down and angry. Regardless of what one may think about this administration, the economy, politics in general, etc., etc. I'm pretty sure most of us are just so GRATEFUL that the decision was made and the Navy Seals and military and support staff were able to go in and do their thing and take the SOB out. That took some guts from a lot of folks on different levels. This year it's much easier to confront the overwhelming sadness of what happened to us on that awful day knowing he's not around to gloat. We can experience our sorrow and shock (I'm still shocked) again, as we will and must but now there's a sense of resolution that we did not have before.
Hi Karen - Yahoo! News had a piece on Rick Rescorla this morning. I think it's worth reading:
A family remembers: Hero of 9/11 gave life to save thousands
I think it's great that the world has finally recognized him for what he was - a hero in every sense of the word. There are no better.
I agree with you, too. No matter what anyone thinks about Obama, the final call fell into his lap. He made the decision to go ahead and take bin Laden out. While Al Qaeda remains a threat, their fearless leader is dead. He can laugh no more! I hope and pray they never rebound and that we are never attacked again.
9/11 God Bless those who lost their loved ones, God Bless those who gave their own to save another. God Bless all who remember and continue to care.
Dave this was such a poignant story. I just read about him yesterday on Yahoo News and since I had not heard of him before, it brought me to tears. I even thought of you. I thought wouldn't it be nice if this was the same man Dave writes about and now I find out that it is.! He was indeed a wonderful man. The story I read was a very long and indepth article and it had quotes from his children who are all grown up now. (well one was in college at the time but the youngest was still living at home) What an incredible man. So much of what I've been seeing and hearing this past week is such a sad reminder of what so many people sacrificed that terrible day. I remember crying all the way to work that morning - in shock as I listened on the radio when one by one the towers fell. I had heard the news of the crash minutes after it happened on Good Morning America - which I used to turn on and listen to every morning while getting ready for work.
The news came fast when the first one hit - my thoughts initially, were that it was some horrible air traffic control mistake..... and then the 2nd one hit. I remember I had to sit down because I was so confused. I couldn't understand how this could happen. Then Charlie Gibson said they were getting reports that the Pentagon had also been hit and that we were under attack. I remember I started shaking because I knew right then and there before anyone said it. It had to be Bin Laden. I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about that morning.
Two years prior to this I used to watch Rivera Live on cnbc - I got hooked on it during the OJ Simpson trial but kept watching the show after the trial was over. Geraldo used to do segments on Bin Laden all the time. He talked about this school of suicide pilots that were being trained in the Phillipines by Bin Laden and his cronies. He even had pictures of some of the men who were training there. To this day, I still wonder why: if Geraldo Rivera knew what was going on how in the hell didn't the President/Vice President know? The answer haunts me because I know they did in fact know. And yet chose to look the other way.
I have been putting up this story for 5-years now, mystical pippin, and it will go up every year until I am no longer able to do it. That man should be honored forever.
I published a new post early this morning, and if you want to copy & paste what you wrote here, I deactivated the HTML code that restricted it. Feel free to do that.
I think we all expected Al Qaeda to do something, including the president and VP, but no one knew when it would be or how they would strike. Rick Rescorla did warn NYPD and other LE organizations that a fuel laden jet would be the perfect missile, but no one paid much attention to his dire warnings. Should we blame the president for something like this happening on his watch? Not in my opinion, because it would be impossible to police every avenue; every means of transportation. And it wasn't the president who allowed the terrorists to attend flight school or board a plane with box cutters. Unfortunately, it takes something like this to learn what we should have been doing all along. At least, for the past 10 years, they've been stopped. We all pray that this never happens again.
Dave I am watching the history channel right now and they are doing a piece with Rick in it. What a sad day. I can not imagine the fear of the people in the towers. Thanks for posting this each year.
It's the least I could do, Laurali. I've often wondered whether some of the people on the floors below the impact ever thought of the buildings collapsing. Many were told to go back to work; that it was safe. Of course, the people trapped on the upper floors must have known all hope was lost. That's probably why many chose to jump to their deaths instead of burning.
Personally, I think it's about time Rick Rescorla got the credit he deserves, however, I doubt he'd ever expect or want it. That's the way real heroes operate.
Thank you. Every year it will appear here.
Great article, Dave. I'd never heard of Rick Rescorla before and I can see why you singled him out as a hero in a circumstance when many were heroes. September 11, 2001 was a fateful day that has changed the homeland security systems of every country throughout the world. I remember the morning clearly. The shock, the horror, the disbelief and finally the sense of dread and fear because I knew it was real.
I worked in a nursing home and we always had TV's on in the lounges for the residents (patients) as they waited to go in the dining room for breakfast. We were always busy and every morning we literally ran to provide morning care from from 7am to 9am. I saw my Director of Care glued to the TV. I stopped. My co-workers stopped. The few residents who were capable of understanding stopped. It was like time stopped and we just stood there and stared at the TV in disbelief. I am Canadian. We were in the Vancouver area far, far away from immediate danger but we felt the horror and the anguish as we watched the second plane hit the tower and then heard the tragic details of the other flights as information was released. I can only imagine the feelings that an American citizen would have experienced as this tragedy slowly unfolded.
There were many, many brave unsung heroes who lost their lives. Your tribute video to Rick Rescorla was an excellent choice.
Thank you, Terry Tsk. I singled him out because he was not just a hero that day, he was a hero every day. On September 11, 2001, almost every nation on earth and every person in those countries were Americans that day because they felt the same pain we did. It was the worst day in my life as a citizen because it changed the rules. No longer could we even go out to get our mail for fear of something happening. Eventually, that faded a bit, but life as we knew it would never, ever be the same. It's tragic, for sure, but how can we fight an enemy we can't see? There is no Al Qaeda uniform. All we have are religious zealots with one mission - to kill. Thank you. Next year, hopefully, more people will learn about Rick Rescorla.