Scott's View: Remembering Hero of 9/11/2001: Luis Alvarez

The 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on our nation is two weeks away. This is a deeply emotional time for all of us, especially those who served on that day and since. The blood, sweat, and ultimate sacrifice of so many is a lasting memory for millions of Americans and their families. Today, we pause to remember one who served with honor during and since that fateful day: The Marines Corps’s own Luis Alvarez, our Veterans Advantage HeroVet.

As an NYPD officer on 9/11/2001, he was a first responder at the scene and remained there for three months. He then fell victim to the severe contaminants amid the rubble, became ill with cancer, yet championed the rights of those who also fell ill. He demonstrated the qualities of the best among us with his courage and determination. Luis Alvarez's inspirational story truly embodied his Marine motto "Semper Fi."