Americans will never forget the events of 911. But for some first responders families, it was incredibly personal.
When the towers fell, 3,000 people died and many first responders died as well. In the catastrophe, 343 firefighters died and 72 law enforcement personnel died.
Ground Zero
One of those first responders was NYPD officer Moira Smith. She perished while helping to evacuate people in the World Trade Center's south tower. As she was helping, the tower fell.
In the book, "Woman at Ground Zero," NYPD Sgt. Mary Young said "Moira was so compassionate, so serious about her work. Nothing could have stopped her from running into that building to help save lives on September 11. Nothing."
Smith saved hundreds of lives that day. As a result, the NYPD gave her the Medal of Honor posthumously. She also has a playground named in her honor, the PO Moira Smith Playground.
Called to Help Others
Smith's foray in to rescuing lives began early in life. At camp she rescued a young girl from drowning in the pool when she was only in seventh grade.
In 1991, she and her husband Jim Smith were the first on the scene of an accident at Union Station. Moira had already worked a full shift, but she spent the next 12 hours getting people off the train.
She ended up going to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Both she and Jim received Distinguished Duty Medals from the NYPD.
Bravery Continued
On 9/11 Smith was working Sixth Avenue and 17th Street in Manhattan with the community policing unit. From her post she saw Flight 11 fly straight into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
According to IBD, Smith was one of first officers that reported what she had just witnessed. She also took witnesses to the 13th precinct to speak with officers.
She then proceeded to head back to the towers and assist in the evacuation. When the second plane hit, she moved over to the south tower to assist with helping people exit the lobby.
According to survivor Martin Glynn, "Moira stood at the end of the ramp directing the traffic down the escalator. She had her flashlight in her right hand and she was waving it. … She was repeating over and over: `Don't look! Keep moving.'"
Forever A Hero
Smith will forever be remembered as the calming force that helped saved peoples lives on that horrendous day.
Un-Sung Heroes have a common thread in that they believe people in general are to be treated as You Yourself would choose to be treated. Animals escape a fire whereas heroes will look to see if there are those that might be saved as well as themselves.
Too bad terrorist muslims don't feel that way.......If they did we would never have had a 9/11.............Seems like when the DEMS/RINOs are POTUS, they tend to ignore the catastrophe's that they know about in advance, but care NOT........ITS TIME to rid our USA of all illegals, plus the DEMS/RINOS......Getting rid of those terrorists will eliminate any future catastrophe's............
May God Bless her and all the First Responders
It was a sad day for all of America and all the lives
that perished. May they all rest in peace
There is a special place in heaven just for her! She was truly a remarkable hero and will never be forgotten along with all the others that gave their lives to save people! I will never forget seeing that on television, I felt my legs go out from under me not believing what I was seeing on the screen! I was crying all the way to work & I remember no one was doing anything but praying at my office!
R.I.P. Moira Smith - -one of many unsung heroes, whom we will "Never Forget".
fANTASTIC STORY! One that needs to be told over and over again. Not just on the 9/11 anniversary but every day. SHOUT IT FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS!!!
A Hero in every sense of the word. This is a special person who gave her life for all of us.
We need more people like her to step up and realize we are all here on this earth for each other.
Where are the young heroes going to come from.
Sacrifice for each other is why we’re on this earth.
Step up everyone of all colors, creed, and ethnicity.
Thank you Meg Swinney for reporting REAL news about REAL Americans instead of the constant far left drivel to which we are fed on a daily basis! Actual article about true American heroes who continue to make lead the U.S.A. in the direction of hope, renewed faith and hopefully far better days to come!
I saw in southeast Asia 50 years ago that there are those who run to the firefight instead of from it. It was article of faith in the Corp that everyone goes home, the living,wounded and the dead. We lost people recovering KIAs and nobody flinched. Heroes are more common than you think and rarely recognized. I'm sure everyone of those First Responders didn't flinch either. Professional pride and a love of their fellow man is the commonality of such people. We are blessed to have them along us.
So very, very true and we are often left to wonder about the thousands of "unsung heroes" that we never hear about, or only hear about decades later.
God Bless This Hero, we need more people like this Woman in our Country.
I miss this kind of person. R.I.P.
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May she rest in peace.