Jason Thomas is a hero who saved lives on September 11, 2001. No one knew who he was and what he had done for several years after the events of that day. Read about him and see photos and a video below.
Jason Thomas
One of the things I have noticed about heroes is that they often run towards danger, instead of away from danger. On September 11, 2001, while most people were running for their lives from the burning, collapsing towers that were the World Trade Center, there were some who ran towards the buildings. One of those who went towards danger to save others was Jason Thomas. Jason Thomas is an American hero!
Theoden: So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?
Aragorn: Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.
Jason Thomas is a former Marine Sergeant who was dropping his daughter off at his mother’s house in Long Island, New York when he was told that planes had hit the World Trade Center. He left there, went home and put on his Marine uniform and went to the site of the attacks. When he arrived one of the towers was collapsing. Thomas parked his car and ran toward and into the horrific cloud of ash.
He has stated that he didn’t have a plan of action, he just knew that there were people that needed help. ‘My city is in need.’
He helped firefighters, survivors and prayed over the dead. Eventually, he met up another former Marine, Staff Sgt. Dave Karnes. The two men decided to start their own search and rescue mission in the tower of debris that had been the World Trade Center. They were told it was too dangerous to venture there. They said someone needed their help and they were going anyway.
With nothing more than flashlights and an infantryman’s shovel they climbed onto and into the debris shouting out for any survivors. Eventually, they found and rescued New York City Police Officers Will Jimeno and John McLoughlin who were buried in the debris but still alive.
Jason Thomas continued to help with search and rescue for a couple of weeks after the events of September 11th. He was remembered by those whom he rescued, but he never identified himself to others at the site other than as Sgt. Thomas. After he’d been at Ground Zero for a little over two weeks, he walked away. He never told his wife and five children that he was a 9-11 hero.
When a movie was made in 2006 about the rescue of the police officers, Thomas realized that he was being portrayed in the movie. At that point, the mysterious hero came forward and identified himself.
Jason Thomas - Photos
Jason Thomas - Video
Photos: wikipedia, Marine Corp Times
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There was so much heroism as well as tragedy on that day. Also potential heroism - ordinary people who would have dealt with the situation heroically if they’d happened to be in that position.
September 16th, 2008 at 12:22 am
So many people concentrate on the tragedy of 9/11 and not the heroism. it is good for us to reflect on the heroism and the tragedy, so we never forget and never let it happen again.