A Tribute to 9/11

“This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
-George W. Bush

9/11 is a tragedy that will be in history books forever, but we can choose to remember the amazing stories that came from that day and the heroes whether human or dog form. Here is our tribute to 9/11, sharing a few of the positive stories and heroic stories from that day.

  • Over 300 dogs traveled to search, serve, protect and comfort the professionals and volunteers tasked with recovery efforts. The last known survivor at ground zero was found 27 hours after the collapse of the towers by a search and rescue (SAR) dog. Once it was ruled statistically impossible for any victims to be found alive, specially trained dogs searched for human remains. Some of the dogs who helped on 9/11:
    • Bretagne, the Golden Retriever who claimed the title of the last surviving SAR dog of 9/11 (she was euthanized in 2016 and was honored by emergency professionals and Taps). She worked at Ground Zero for 10 days and later assisted in rescue efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
    • Red, a live-find and cadaver dog, worked for the Pentagon for 11 days.
    • Moxie was trained to find survivors, but her skills at honing in on remains was equally invaluable.
  • Welles Crowther was an investment banker working for Sandler O’Neill & Partners on the 104th floor of the 2 World Trade Center (the south tower). When UA Flight 15 struck the south tower, Crowther remained calm. Just minutes after the plane hit, Crowther called his mother to let her know he was okay. He then began assisting others in evacuating at one point carrying a woman down 17 flights of stairs, only to return to the 78th floor to continue helping others. Crowther had made it out of the building and was running back in it with a “Jaws of Life” tool when the tower collapsed. He was 24 years old.
  • NYPD officer Moira Smith was the first officer to report the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 when she saw the first plane strike the first tower of the World Trade Center. Smith, a 13-year veteran, ran into the towers and began assisting in the evacuation. Officer Smith is credited with saving hundreds of lives that day, giving her own in the process. She was the only female NYPD officer to die on 9/11.
  • Rick Rescorla was a veteran of both the British and American army, working in corporate security for Morgan Stanley/Dean Witter on the 44th floor of the south tower. When the tower was struck, Witter ignored intercom instructions for workers to remain at their desks and immediately began assisting people in leaving the building. As he directed people out, he boosted spirits by singing songs of his native Cornwall, England. He is credited with saving most of the lives of Morgan Stanley’s workers that day. His remains were never found.

We Will Never Forget – We encourage you to share your positive stories and tidbits with us. Contact The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 if you need to talk or still need help coping.

Stories found at: https://www.animalkind.com/blog/search-and-rescue-dogs/

https://www.businessinsider.com/7-incredible-stories-of-heroism-on-911-2015-9

Last edited on 5th of September 2019