~Today we spent a great deal of time learning about what happened on September 11, 2001. For a short time we focused on the attack. We spent a great deal of time talking about what happened over the next 24 hours. What could have been America's darkest time turned into one of the greatest moment in American history. Thousands of Americans reached out and helped each other. Different races, religions, and cultural groups found their common ground as AMERICANS and showed why this country is so great. We went into detail about two of the tens of thousands who put their fellow Americans before themselves. Pablo Ortiz and Frank DeMartini were two men who worked in the World Trade Center. They repeatedly went up to rescue workers in the building who were stuck or who did not know where to go while everyone else was going down. The rescued over 70 people trapped above the 80th floor. They could have gotten out of the building before it collapsed, but instead chose to carry a woman who could not breathe. It is believed they were almost to the exit when the towers collapsed. There should be a picture of each next to hero in the dictionary. We also discussed the hundreds of fire fighters and police who lost their lives in the buildings. Years from now, hopefully history will recall more of what Americans did on September 11th instead of what was done to America.
A day that will live in infamy
Average New Yorkers helping each other
Pablo Ortiz with his family
Frank DeMartine with his wife and two sons
