Scott’s View: Remembering 9/11: How WeSalute Honored All Those Who Served Over The Last 23 Years

Next Wednesday, September 11, is the 23rd anniversary of the attacks on U.S. soil. Remembrances will be happening at all the sites, New York City, Washington, DC, and western Pennsylvania.

Readers over the years have learned that WeSalute’s blog has chronicled many of the figures in our greater military community who have sacrificed so much during that fateful day. We did so knowing that history was being chronicled through this work, but above all to recognize and remember the massive sacrifices borne by our military over the years to ensure 9/11 never happens again.

I wanted to offer a few of them here:

• Rick Rescorla: A Vietnam War Army Veteran credited with saving the lives of hundreds at New York’s World Trade Center.

• Luis Alvarez: A Marine and NYPD Officer, he was one of the first responders on the ground at the World Trade Center. He is credited with securing financial assistance for 40,000 first responders suffering illnesses tied to the attacks, which ultimately took his life in 2021.

• David Karnes: A CPA with Deloitte the day before the attacks, he immediately re-enlisted as a Marine Corps Reservist to assist after 9/11, and was the center of the movie “World Trade Center.”

• Rob Riggle: We all know him as a comedian, but he’ll always tell you he is a Marine first. In his early days of trying to break into show business, he immediately joined the response efforts at Ground Zero on 9/12/2001.

• Patrick Tillman: He shattered the illusion of the football player as a "warrior" and made it a reality when he announced his intention to join the United States Army, putting his NFL career on hold. He never returned to the game he loved, as he was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan.

Please take a moment to remember the heroic efforts of these great veterans, and join in prayer for all who served, including those we lost.