I had the honor and privilege to attend the Iron and Steel Reception Ceremony Sept. 17 at the Parade Field beside the National Infantry Museum. That truly was a special event because a piece of steel from the World Trade Center now has a solid resting place at the Home of the Infantry, which has produced many soldiers who now defend us against the lunatics of this world who believe flying airplanes into buildings is a religious duty.
An honor guard from the New York City Fire Department brought an I-beam from the World Trade Center to Fort Benning to pay homage to the Army for combating al-Qaida and their allies. These brave firemen drove from New York to deliver this steel. Just watching this happen was humbling.
Besides the I-beam delivery, the statue of Lt. Rick Rescorla was also presented to the museum. The statue is based on the photo by David Arnett of Rescorla in Vietnam. He was at the LZ X-Ray battle in the Ia Drang Valley that was immortalized by the book and movie “We Were Soldiers.”
If you don’t know his story, Rescorla was originally from Cornwall, England. After serving in the British Army, he immigrated to the United States and joined the U.S. Army. After serving in Vietnam, Rescorla returned to civilian life but remained in the Army Reserve, eventually retiring as a colonel. He was in charge of security for Morgan Stanley at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Upon realizing that the North Tower had been hit, Rescorla made the decision to order the evacuation of the Morgan Stanley staff while the Port Authority staff was saying to stay put.
An estimated 2,700 people evacuated the World Trade Center because of Rescorla. According to a number of Internet reports, during the evacuation he used a bullhorn to encourage people to keep moving while he also sang God Bless America and an old Cornish song:
Men of Cornwall stop your dreaming;
Can’t you see their spearpoints gleaming?
See their warriors’ pennants streaming
To this battlefield.
Men of Cornwall stand ye steady;
It cannot be ever said ye
for the battle were not ready;
Stand and never yield!
Rescorla and several of his staff went back into the Tower to help other people. Survivors said they saw him on the 10th Floor and going up. Rescorla and his intrepid security team did not survive. I have to tell you that sends goose bumps up my back and puts a lump in my throat. Where do such people come from?
Honor guards from Fort Benning and our local fire and law enforcement agencies were on hand for the ceremony. Truly we were surrounded by heroes and the memories of heroes from New York to our local communities to all of the heroes commemorated in the National Infantry Museum. Our country is fortunate to have such brave people protecting us.
We must honor all of their sacrifices. Our enemies should take note and beware.
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