25 Years Later: Honoring the Bravery, Sacrifice, and Enduring Legacy of 9/11 Leaders and Veterans
Twenty-five years ago today, our nation was irrevocably changed. The morning of September 11, 2001, stands as one of the darkest days in American history, testing our resolve, our unity, and our spirit. Yet amid the unfathomable tragedy at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, ordinary men and women—first responders, service members, and everyday citizens—demonstrated extraordinary bravery.
A quarter-century later, the promise to "Never Forget" remains central to our mission at WeSalute. Over the years, our community has had the profound privilege of recognizing the military veterans, first responders, and business leaders who answered the call that day and dedicated the subsequent decades to service.
On this milestone 25th anniversary, we look back and reflect on the inspiring stories of our HeroVet and TopVet honorees whose lives and leadership define the enduring spirit of 9/11.
Rick Rescorla: The South Tower Guardian
Few stories embody selfless leadership quite like that of Army veteran and HeroVet Rick Rescorla. Decorated for his extraordinary gallantry in Vietnam’s Ia Drang Valley, Rescorla served as head of security for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter on the 44th floor of the South Tower. Convinced after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that the complex remained vulnerable, he relentlessly drilled evacuation protocols for thousands of colleagues.
When disaster struck on the morning of September 11, Rescorla sprang into action. Ignoring initial directives to stay in place, he picked up a bullhorn, sang Cornish hymns and patriotic tunes to steady frayed nerves, and successfully evacuated nearly 2,700 employees and visitors. Having led his people to safety, he chose to return inside the burning tower to search for stragglers. He was last seen climbing past the 10th floor and perished when the building collapsed, sacrificing his own life so thousands of others could return home. Learn more about his legacy in HeroVet: Rick Rescorla, Vietnam Vet and 9/11 Hero.
David Karnes: The Unflinching Call to Ground Zero
For former Marine Sergeant David Karnes, hearing that his country was under attack meant civilian life had to wait. A senior accountant working at his desk in Connecticut on the morning of September 11, Karnes stopped at a local church to pray, had his hair cut into Marine regulation, donned his camouflaged uniform, and drove straight into lower Manhattan.
Arriving at Ground Zero amid smoke and devastated rubble, Karnes teamed up with fellow Marine Jason Thomas to conduct an unauthorized search across the smoldering debris field. Crawling across the jagged ruins into the evening, they heard faint tapping from deep underneath the wreckage. Their persistence pinpointed the location of Port Authority Police Officers William Jimeno and John McLoughlin—two of the very last survivors pulled alive from the rubble. True to his warrior ethos, Karnes soon re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and deployed to Iraq, embodying the quiet valor of those who run toward the fire. Read his full story in HeroVet: David Karnes, Marine Corps and 9/11 Hero.
Detective Luis Alvarez: The Voice for Those Still Fighting
The toll of 9/11 did not conclude when the fires at Ground Zero were extinguished. Marine veteran and NYPD Bomb Squad Detective Luis Alvarez spent three grueling months searching the wreckage and sifting through debris, breathing in toxic fumes and pulverized contaminants. Nearly two decades later, Alvarez was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer directly linked to his recovery work.
Despite his declining health, Alvarez refused to step away from the mission. In June 2019, just hours before undergoing his 69th round of chemotherapy, he sat alongside Jon Stewart before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. In a fragile voice filled with unyielding conviction, he testified on behalf of the tens of thousands of first responders suffering from debilitating 9/11-related illnesses, demanding permanent funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Alvarez entered hospice care days later and passed away, but his dying fight ensured the passage of the Never Forget the Heroes Act, protecting survivors through 2092. Reflect on his courage in HeroVet: Luis Alvarez - WeSalute.
Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan: Daily Reflection and Unwavering Advocacy
On September 11, 2001, Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan was serving as one of the Navy’s top legislative officers, working steps away from where American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon. The shock and loss of that morning left an indelible imprint on him. Throughout his career—and subsequently during his leadership as President of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)—Ryan maintained a list of the colleagues and shipmates lost that morning right on his desk.
For Admiral Ryan, that desktop memorial served as a daily reminder of the sacred duty owed to those who wear the uniform. His post-9/11 leadership galvanized national campaigns to protect military health benefits, retirement pensions, and survivor programs, ensuring that the country never takes its defenders for granted. Discover his leadership journey in HeroVet: Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan - WeSalute.
Chris Perkins: Channeling Purpose into the Post-9/11 Generation
The events of September 11 reshaped the trajectories of countless young Americans. Marine Captain Chris Perkins was nearing the end of his active service when the towers fell and his sister was caught up in the attacks in New York City. Recognizing the immediate call to duty, Perkins volunteered to extend his service and deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, during one of the war's most intense operational periods.
After returning to civilian life and embarking on a career in high finance, Perkins witnessed firsthand how military training equips service members to handle complex crises with calm composure. Recognizing the hurdles facing fellow post-9/11 veterans entering corporate America, he co-founded Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS) and Veterans in Digital Assets (VIDA), raising millions of dollars and building career pipelines for transitioning military talent across the financial sector. Read his profile in TopVet: Chris Perkins, Veterans on Wall Street.
General (Ret.) Joseph L. Votel: Leading From the Front and Educating Veterans
For military leaders across the armed forces, September 11 inaugurated a transformative era of continuous deployment and global special operations. General (Ret.) Joseph L. Votel commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment during the immediate post-9/11 deployments into Afghanistan and Iraq, beginning decades of pivotal leadership that culminated in his command of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Upon retiring after nearly four decades in uniform, General Votel turned his attention toward ensuring returning post-9/11 veterans have the tools to excel in civilian life. Serving on the board of Service to School, he dedicated his post-military career to helping enlisted service members and veterans gain admission into the nation’s top undergraduate and graduate institutions, reinforcing the belief that military leadership enriches every sector of American society. Read more about his post-service mission in TopVet: General (Ret.) Joseph L. Votel - WeSalute.
Col. Tom Tyrrell: Educating Future Generations on the Cost of Freedom
In the wake of September 11, retired Marine Colonel Tom Tyrrell stepped into the role of Chief Operating Officer for the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum along Manhattan’s West Side—a vessel that served as an emergency FBI command center in the days immediately following the attacks.
Colonel Tyrrell viewed 9/11 as a clarion call for civic responsibility, noting that preserving democracy cannot rely solely on the men and women in uniform, but requires every citizen to act as a steward of freedom. Under his guidance, the Intrepid underwent historic transformations, turning the historic aircraft carrier into a beacon of public education that teaches younger generations the true meaning of service and sacrifice. Read his full profile in TopVet: Col. Tom Tyrrell, Chief of Intrepid Museum Operations.
25 Years Forward: Carrying the Torch
A quarter-century has elapsed since the world watched the skies over New York, Arlington, and Shanksville. A whole generation of young Americans has grown up knowing 9/11 only through history books and memorials.
Yet the legacy of that day is not merely one of grief—it is a testament to the best of the human spirit. It lives on in Rick Rescorla’s megaphone, David Karnes’ flashlight beam, Detective Luis Alvarez’s final testimony, and the thousands of veterans and first responders who took an oath and held the line.
At WeSalute, we reaffirm our solemn pledge on this 25th anniversary: we will remember the fallen, honor those who served, and support the families and communities who continue to bear the sacrifices of freedom.
