- Nov 17, 2022
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IN MEMORY OF RICK RESCORLA
“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins…James 5:19-20.”
Today is the 22nd anniversary of 911. Long before the September 11th tragedy, Rick Rescorla, the 62-year-old head of security at the Morgan Stanley Bank, developed an evacuation plan for the bank. Rescorla was convinced Osama Bin Laden would use jet planes to try and destroy the World Trade Center. The bank's offices were situated high up in the South Tower at the World Trade Center and were extremely vulnerable. Rick’s plan and its preparation were hugely unpopular with the Morgan Stanley staff, many of whom thought Rescorla was mad.
On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 hit World Trade Center Tower 1 at 8:46 a.m. Rick Rescorla ignored building officials' advice to stay put and began the orderly evacuation plan of Morgan Stanley's 2,800 employees on 20 floors of World Trade Center Tower 2, and 1,000 employees in WTC 5. Rescorla reminded everyone to "be proud to be an American ... everyone will be talking about you tomorrow", and sang God Bless America and other songs over his bullhorn to help evacuees stay calm as they left the building. Rescorla had most of Morgan Stanley’s 2800 employees and people working on other floors of WTC 2 safely out of the buildings by the time United Airlines Flight 175 hit WTC 2 at 9:07 a.m.
After having reached safety, Rescorla returned to the building to rescue others still inside. He was last seen heading up the stairs of the tenth floor of the collapsing WTC 2. His remains were not recovered. As a result of Rescorla's action, only 6 of Morgan Stanley's 2800 WTC employees were killed on 911, including Rick and three of his deputies who followed him back into the building.
In tears, Morgan Stanley Bank employees were later praising and acknowledging Rick Rescorla for saving their lives from total destruction that day. Many felt so guilty and apologetic they thought Rick foolish to keep preaching and standing for what he believed would happen if they were not ready. Those later interviewed said they would never forget Rick Rescorla. He was their hero. This dear man left behind a widow, Susan Rescorla, and two children that day. Since the events of that terrible day, a memorial stone was erected in Rick’s hometown of Hayle, Cornwall, to commemorate his life and the sacrifice he made to save others.
The Word of God says in James 5:19-20, “My brethren if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Christians must have a “Rick Rescorla Attitude” toward others. Rick was convinced people entrusted to his care would perish if his plan of escape was ignored. He stayed the course even when unpopular and ridiculed because he believed what he was doing would save lives from certain destruction.
God has left us here twenty-two years later as His Beloved Children to rescue the perishing by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ so that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Remember Our Good Shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep and went after the one that was lost.
As we remember the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, let’s be ready to make a defense for the hope within us to anyone who asks, yet with a spirit of gentleness and reverence. There are many lives at stake that need us to share the Good News. One day with tears in their eyes they will thank us in heaven that we cared enough to show them the way.
“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins…James 5:19-20.”
Today is the 22nd anniversary of 911. Long before the September 11th tragedy, Rick Rescorla, the 62-year-old head of security at the Morgan Stanley Bank, developed an evacuation plan for the bank. Rescorla was convinced Osama Bin Laden would use jet planes to try and destroy the World Trade Center. The bank's offices were situated high up in the South Tower at the World Trade Center and were extremely vulnerable. Rick’s plan and its preparation were hugely unpopular with the Morgan Stanley staff, many of whom thought Rescorla was mad.
On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 hit World Trade Center Tower 1 at 8:46 a.m. Rick Rescorla ignored building officials' advice to stay put and began the orderly evacuation plan of Morgan Stanley's 2,800 employees on 20 floors of World Trade Center Tower 2, and 1,000 employees in WTC 5. Rescorla reminded everyone to "be proud to be an American ... everyone will be talking about you tomorrow", and sang God Bless America and other songs over his bullhorn to help evacuees stay calm as they left the building. Rescorla had most of Morgan Stanley’s 2800 employees and people working on other floors of WTC 2 safely out of the buildings by the time United Airlines Flight 175 hit WTC 2 at 9:07 a.m.
After having reached safety, Rescorla returned to the building to rescue others still inside. He was last seen heading up the stairs of the tenth floor of the collapsing WTC 2. His remains were not recovered. As a result of Rescorla's action, only 6 of Morgan Stanley's 2800 WTC employees were killed on 911, including Rick and three of his deputies who followed him back into the building.
In tears, Morgan Stanley Bank employees were later praising and acknowledging Rick Rescorla for saving their lives from total destruction that day. Many felt so guilty and apologetic they thought Rick foolish to keep preaching and standing for what he believed would happen if they were not ready. Those later interviewed said they would never forget Rick Rescorla. He was their hero. This dear man left behind a widow, Susan Rescorla, and two children that day. Since the events of that terrible day, a memorial stone was erected in Rick’s hometown of Hayle, Cornwall, to commemorate his life and the sacrifice he made to save others.
The Word of God says in James 5:19-20, “My brethren if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Christians must have a “Rick Rescorla Attitude” toward others. Rick was convinced people entrusted to his care would perish if his plan of escape was ignored. He stayed the course even when unpopular and ridiculed because he believed what he was doing would save lives from certain destruction.
God has left us here twenty-two years later as His Beloved Children to rescue the perishing by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ so that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Remember Our Good Shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep and went after the one that was lost.
As we remember the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, let’s be ready to make a defense for the hope within us to anyone who asks, yet with a spirit of gentleness and reverence. There are many lives at stake that need us to share the Good News. One day with tears in their eyes they will thank us in heaven that we cared enough to show them the way.
