Each year, on the anniversary of 9/11, we take a moment to mourn the lives we lost that day. We renew our commitment to standing for freedom and against terrorism. But we must also take the time to reflect on what Americans’ reactions to 9/11 taught us about America.

The beauty of our neighbors’ reactions to the tragedy is a far greater thing than the ugliness of the attackers.

It would be impossible to list the name of every act of heroism that day. First responders answered the call and ran into the flames. Medical professionals and clergy ran to the site to provide aid and comfort. And countless citizens raised funds, donated blood, and prayed for the victims.

But here are three stories of heroism, big and small. May the stories of these men inspire us to serve our neighbor in times of tragedy.

Steve Buscemi

This one might surprise you. Before his Hollywood success, Steve Buscemi worked as a New York City firefighter.

Buscemi happened to be in New York City when the tragedy struck. Seeing the devastation on the television, he knew he needed to do something. So he showed up at his old firehouse in Little Italy the next day, ready to serve.

Here’s how humbly he describes his service:

For the next week he worked 12-hour shifts, digging through the rubble trying to find the bodies of missing firefighters, all the while refusing to do interviews or have his picture taken.

“It was a privilege to be able to do it,” the 45-year-old actor said. “It was great to connect with the firehouse I used to work with and with some of the guys I worked alongside. And it was enormously helpful for me because while I was working, I didn’t really think about it as much, feel it as much.

“It wasn’t until I stopped that I really felt the full impact of what had happened. It would have been much harder for me to get through it if I hadn’t been able to do that.”

Sgt. Jason Thomas and Staff Sgt. David Karnes

Former Marine Jason Thomas was in Long Island when he heard the news. His Marine Corps uniform was in the trunk, and he wasted no time changing into it and heading to Manhattan. Here’s how he remembers feeling:

Someone needed help. It didn’t matter who. I didn’t even have a plan. But I have all this training as a Marine, and all I could think was, “My city is in need.”

In Connecticut, another ex-Marine named Dave Karnes felt the same way. He left his office, buzzed his hair, and put his Marine uniform on. Driving 120 miles per hour, he rocketed towards the city.

The two men met each other at the site, and decided to team up. Armed with little more than flashlights, shovels, and a desire to help, they began combing the wreckage. After found two trapped survivors. Their dedication saved the lives of two Port Authority officers, Will Jimeno and Sgt. John McLoughlin, who were found seriously injured but alive inside a freight elevator trapped 20 ft below the surface.

It took eight hours to free both men, but their lives were saved thanks to the diligence of two men who knew that their service to their country didn’t end when they became private citizens.

Rick Rescorla

A retired second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Rick Rescorla worked as a private security consultant for Morgan Stanley.

For decades, he raised the alarm that the World Trade Center was a likely target of a terror attack. Unfortunately, many of his recommendations were never implemented. But he kept running evacuation drills with his staff. And when disaster struck, he was ready.

Ignoring intercom instructions to remain in the building, he immediately began a systematic evacuation. He understood the grave danger. Rescorla buoyed the spirits of the evacuees by singing “God Bless America” and the Cornish ballads of his youth in the stairwells. Witnesses remember him singing:

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!

His actions saved the lives of almost all of Morgan Stanley’s 2,687 employees. But his service extended far beyond those for whom he was directly responsible. He was last seen heading back up the stairs on the 10th floor, saying he would leave “as soon as I make sure everyone else is out.” His remains were never found.

These were not the only heroes. Read more stories of heroism here.

article: Sep 10th

The Lesson of Cincinnatus and George Washington

article: Jan 24th

Which U.S. President Had the Best Work Ethic? Here’s Our Top Five.

video: Nov 14th

The Real Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman? Not Quite.