The forgotten heroes of 11 September: we remember who sacrificed his life to save others

September 11, 2001 is a date that has marked the collective memory forever. Four line planes were diverted by Al-Qaeda terrorists: two struck the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, one cents the Pentagon in Washington and the fourth, the United 93 flight, fell into a Pennsylvania field thanks to the courage of the passengers who rebelled against the diottar. In a few hours almost 3,000 people died and the whole world found themselves suspended between fear, disbelief and pain.

But something different was also manifested next to the horror: courage. In those moments of chaos, firefighters, policemen, simple citizens and even rescue dogs made impossible choices, driven only by the desire to save lives. Many of them never returned home, becoming forgotten heroes of a day that changed the story. They are figures left in the shade, less cited than the great news titles, but which deserve to be remembered in this sad anniversary.

Firefighters: Stephen Siller

On the darkest day for America, the firefighters first entered the twin towers. Hundreds of men faced infinite flames, smoke and stairs to evacuate those who had been trapped. Many of them knew that perhaps they would not come out alive, and in fact over 340 firefighters lost their lives in that desperate company.

Among these stands out the figure of Stephen Siller, who was out of service that day. He was going to play golf when he heard the news of the attack. He did not hesitate: he loaded 27 kilos of equipment on his shoulders and run the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to reach the towers. He never returned home, but his race remains a symbol of absolute altruism.

Rick Rescorla: Morgan Stanley’s security manager

Former multiple -class officer in Vietnam, Rescorla was responsible for the south tower. He ignored orders to wait and ordered the immediate evacuation of thousands of colleagues. To calm people he sang in military, guiding them towards the exit. He managed to evacuate more than 2,600 employees, but this gesture cost him life because to help others he died in the collapse.

The elevations and architects

Even lesser known figures, such as Pietro Bernardini and other lifts, saved hundreds of lives remaining in place until the last. The gesture of Frank De Martini and Pablo Ortiz, architects of the Port Authority who improvised rescuers, forcing blocked doors and freeing at least 50 people trapped on the upper floors, before being overwhelmed by the collapse.

Heroes dogs: the k9 unit

Next to the rescuers there was a special team: over 300 dog units from all over the country. These rescue dogs found survivors and recovered bodies between the steaming rubble. Many died of wounds or later from breathtaking toxins. On all Bretagne, a Golden Retriever that became a symbol of dedication, remembered with a statue in Texas.

Heather “Lucky” Penney

As we said before, that day the skies were also the scene of sacrifice. The young pilot Heather Penney, under the command of an F-16 without weapons, received the order to intercept the United 93 flight, perhaps ready to hit Washington. The plan was clear: to manage the plane, at the cost of life. In the end it was not necessary, because the passengers themselves managed to stop the terrorists. But Penney remains a symbol of the silent courage of those who were ready for the extreme gesture.

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