9/11's Forgotten Heroes: All Boats to Manhattan

Jack Posobiec, visiting Manhattan for the 25th anniversary commemoration of the 9/11 attacks, took his children to Ground Zero. He personally showed them the memorial pools, the museum, and the names of New York victims engraved there.

As they toured Ground Zero, the children began to ask a barrage of questions about the 9/11 attacks, and Posobiec, answering their questions, brought up a forgotten story.

The story of firefighters carrying 50 pounds of gear up the stairs of the World Trade Center, saving countless lives during the 9/11 attacks, is widely known. However, a separate large-scale maritime evacuation operation in Manhattan has been largely ignored by the media.

Jack Posobiec emphasized that this boat evacuation operation was overlooked even in cultural content, including Hollywood films, stating it is an important story that has not been properly told.

During the attacks, the U.S. Coast Guard sent an urgent rescue request to all vessels via public channels. The message, "This is the United States Coast Guard. All boats, if you are willing, please assist in the evacuation of Manhattan. Come immediately," was a desperate plea for help from every available boat to evacuate Manhattan.

As soon as this request was broadcast, hundreds of boats immediately began to converge on the scene.

The boats that headed to Manhattan at that time included all types: ferries, tugboats, yachts, private boats, fishing boats, and even rubber dinghies. With all bridges and subways closed, land evacuation was impossible, so these captains disregarded safety regulations and prioritized saving lives.

Jack Posobiec stated that the captains ignored all regulations and rules and focused on saving lives, describing it as a moment when human solidarity emerged in a desperate situation.

Jack Posobiec referred to those who participated in the 9/11 boat evacuation operation, saying, "They acted like Americans. Especially like New Yorkers. True New Yorkers." This is interpreted as New Yorkers voluntarily acting to help others and showing true courage by not hesitating in a dangerous situation.

These were not superheroes, but ordinary citizens who willingly sacrificed and helped each other. Posobiec emphasized that the 9/11 boat evacuation operation is an iconic story that showcases moments when ordinary people demonstrated extraordinary courage.