American Valor Quarterly Issue 5 - Winter 2008/09 | Page 14

Rick Rescorla was everywhere that morning – reported to have been seen in the stairwell from the 10th to the 72nd floors, calmly and
confidently encouraging his terrified co-workers down the stairs to safety. “Be proud to be an American – everybody will be talking
about you tomorrow,” he told them over a bullhorn. And as in Vietnam over 35 years earlier, he began to sing: God Bless America and
defiant Cornish songs, once again including his adaptation of Men of Harlech.
9:03 AM. United Airlines Flight 175 smashes into the South Tower. Undeterred, Rescorla continued the evacuation. He called his
wife, Susan, telling her he was getting his people out. His last words to her before hanging up were, “You made my life.”
By the time the second plane had hit the South Tower, Rescorla had evacuated most of Morgan Stanley’s 2700 employees. Yet,
despite this, he rushed back inside along with three of his deputies. When told that he had to leave, he replied, “As soon as I make
sure everyone else is out.”
9:59 AM. The South Tower collapses. Twenty-nine minutes later, the North Tower fell. Over 2,700 people were killed in the
disaster. It should have been more. If not for the planning and leadership of Rick Rescorla, it is certain that many of Morgan
Stanley’s 2,700 employees would have died when the South Tower collapsed. Instead, only six were killed – including Rick Rescorla
and his deputies. He was last seen rushing up the 10th floor stairwell of the South Tower, determined to once again be the last man
out.
Rick Rescorla’s story of valor and sacrifice in our nation’s darkest hour is one that every American should know. Many have worked
to make this the case. In his memory, Susan Rescorla created the Richard C. Rescorla Memorial Foundation, and his story was told
by James Stewart in the best-selling book Heart of A Soldier. And to date, nearly 31,000 individuals have signed a petition for Rick
to receive our nation’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
For his heroism, honor, and nobility, and for being responsible for saving the lives of nearly 3,000 people, the American Veterans
Center is proud to help share Rick Rescorla’s story and to salute him as the recipient of the 2008 Edward J. Herlihy Citizenship
Award.

Lost Love Letters
By Sylvia E. Weinstein
Promises made, he says “I’ll write every day.”
But Army training couldn’t help a Soldier fulfill his promise.
An exhausting experience preparing for war, time passes,
transfers to other camps.
Unit goes overseas and letter writing becomes a luxury.
In the midst of battle V-Mail becomes the mode of
communication.
But the code “a slip of the lip sinks ships” leaves black lines
thru words.
Words illegible to read, only “I miss you, I love you,”
brings tears to her eyes.
Shoe boxes stored the precious pieces of paper,
#1- North Africa, #2 Sicily, #3-Italy, #4-France, $5Germany
- ending at the Dachau Concentration Camp.
Mailman delivers, but weeks and months go by, but finally
he rings the bell This signal tells here the long awaited letters have finally
arrived.
The years go by, boxes stored on a shelf wait to be re-read
and shared together.

The depths of emotion overwhelms him,
Opening boxes, interpreting the scribbled handwriting,
she hangs on every word.
He grabs box after box, rushes to the incinerator,
It is inconceivable to her why?
The finality of the experience ends with his words “The War is Over!”
But the trials and tribulations, the bitterness of war stayed
with this young man,
The memories never gone from his heart.
Gone only the “love letters” written during the long years
of heartache and war.
She didn’t know that 65 years later her heart would ache
for those precious pieces of paper, with those
scribbled words, “I miss you, I love you!”
All Rights Reserved
Publication: Memories By Suey
Date: Year 2008
Poetry by Sylvia E. Weinstein
First Edition, 2008