Reflections on 9/11: Kimberly Rescorla
My father began his military career in the United Kingdom at the age of 16 before coming to the United States and 
remained a member of the military until his retirement at age 50. It is strikingly appropriate that we refer to military service and those engaged in it service members. Service, to each other, their country and their communities, permeates the very core of members of our military and is the basis on which they so often display the very best characteristics of human kind. Those attributes–valor, honor, and self sacrifice-were the same attributes displayed in brilliant relief against a backdrop of tragedy on September 11, 2001.
My father’s deeds as a member of the military have been detailed, most touchingly, by the men he served with, men that I am privileged to have met, to know, and to recognize in them the same strength and determination I so often associate with my father. I grew up unaware of what my father had done during his time in the military, aside from a few anecdotal stories more focused on the men he served with than his own actions. He told me about overturning a jeep filled with ranking officers, training future officers as a tac officer and generally causing his radio/telephone operator stress, but he never took credit for what they accomplished as a team.
It was in my father’s daily life that I witnessed him display his commitment to serving others so often, whether it was rushing home on a winter’s night to find a sleeping bag for a homeless man, interrupting a neighbor’s barbecue over concerns about the amount of smoke, or performing CPR on an elderly man in a restaurant. There was never an abdication of responsibility, never a sense that it wasn’t his job or his place to interfere.
On September 11, 2001, when I saw the World Trade Center buildings collapse, I knew that my father was doing what he had always done, serving others. I held out hope that, in true Rick fashion, he would emerge from the rubble, covered in dust and still in charge. When the smoke cleared and he didn’t rise, the one question my family never asked was why. For my father and so many others that lost their lives that day trying to help others, there simply was no other choice.
Because of the tremendous number of stories of self sacrifice, it is truly fitting that we pay homage to those lost on September 11th with a day of service and remembrance, honoring their bravery and commitment to others by re-dedicating ourselves to our communities. It is the highest praise and tribute we can give them to say that they inspired us to find what is best in ourselves and share it with others.
Kimberly Rescorla, is a lawyer in New Jersey. Her father, a Vietnam veteran, was head of security for Morgan Stanley, which had offices in the World Trade Center. He implemented regular evacuation drills with the staff and on 9/11, he made sure that all but six of Morgan Stanley’s 2,700 employees made it out. Four of the six, were Rescorla and his three deputies who were evacuating the building.
Your Sacrifice , for your Fellow man can Never be forgotten On field of Battle, or within a Office building . Taken from Us , by a Known enemy, who used or own, to be a Implement of Destruction .
Hand Salute !!
Kim, your Daddy is the epitome of the phrase “Great American Hero”. I am John Setelin’s widow and we knew and loved your dad so very much. My daughter Megan has called him Uncle Rick from the time she met him at age 4 (now 27). We went to NY in 2002 and grieved selfishly for our loss which in no way compares to your pain. John passed away last November 15th exactly 46 years to the day of the Battle of the Ia Drang. He served proudly with your father and throughout the years kept him on a pedestal as a model military leader and even more important as a life long friend. We met you and Trevor many years ago in Washington DC at one of the veteran’s day functions of the Ia Drang alumni and immediately fell in love with both of you. It was a privilege to spend time with you and it will always remain an honor to have called Rick our friend. Take care and remain as proud of him in years to come as you were when you were a little girl on his lap. He seemed bigger than life then and remains OUR True American Hero forever. With much love and respect, Theresa Setelin
Hi Kimberly,
I worked with your Dad at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, hell of nice person, good man and hero for saving many lives at WTC on 911.. Many folks owe their lives to him and his “megaphone”.. God Bless him and may he rest in peace.. Lou Rivera from JC..
A friend of mine, now passed away, was in touch with your father about his service. They were both Irish who served in Vietnam. My friend was the historian for a website about Irish Nationals who were killed in Vietnam and your father’s best friend, John Driver, is on the Wall. http://www.illyria.com/vn_irish_names.html On 9/11, my friend, who had been so thrilled to be in e-mail contact with your father about Vietnam, e-mailed me to say he had a very bad feeling about Rick . . . I am so sorry for your loss.
I too remember this day each year with much sadness and love for your father. He was the man you you describe in everyway. He made me and all of us who served with him beter sodiers then we would have been and better men because of that. Garry Owen Rick.
Hard Corps 4/4 Co B 2/7 Cav. 65/66
Kimberly, I had the privilege of serving with your father in Vietnam. He was one of the officers in my unit. 2nd Battalion 7th Cavalry Regiment 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) I did not know your father personally until after meeting him at a reunion of the men that were in the Ia Drang Valley in Washington, DC over Veterans Day several years later. I have seen the opera that was written about him that was presented at The War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco last year. I also renewed acquaintenance with Susan. Very moving. May Rick rest in peace as he has these 11 years since his death. He was an honorable man. Peace, Jim
Your father’s name was written on the wall of my office from September 2001 until I retired in 2011, and I still have that whiteboard, bearing his name and Flight 93 names. I think of him and them often, always in hopes that I have done something to earn what they gave.
I SALUTE YOUR FATHER……RIP
I carry out fire safety training in the UK and constantly get asked “why do we have to do evacuation drills”? I then tell them the story of your father and his persistence in carrying them out. No more questions, just silence …………..