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This September 11th will mark 24 years since the US was attacked on our shores by Islamic terrorists. President Donald Trump announced this past Monday that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. It's about time.
President Trump posted the following on Truth Social, "As President of the United States of America, I am pleased to announce that Rudy Giuliani, the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot, will receive THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM, our Country's highest civilian honor. Details as to time and place to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!"
Millions of us remember that frightening day when the Pentagon and the Twin Towers were hit and ultimately destroyed by the Islamic terrorists. Close to three thousand people were killed, and on that fateful day Mayor Giuliani acted fast to ensure that many more lives would be saved. For many of today's Americans under the age of 25, that day isn't a memory, it's only an historical chapter, as is World War II, the Great Depression and so many other big events in America's history. But for us older Americans it is a living reality and a time we will never forget.
Recently Rudy Giuliani spoke to the organization Tunnels to Towers and recalled his morning on that day. He remembers that he started his day on September 11, 2001 having breakfast with his friend and council member, Dennison Young. As they were finishing their meal, a member of Giuliani's security detail told him that the North Tower had been struck by an aircraft. Giuliani and Young quickly started making their way to the World Trade Center when the mayor was told by New York City Police Department Commissioner Bernard Kerik that a second plane struck the South Tower. This confirmed that it was definitely a terrorist attack.
Mayor Giuliani at once began discussing a plan with the New York City Fire Department Chief Peter Ganci, Jr. and NYPD Commissioner Kerik to rescue as many people as possible from below the impacted areas of the buildings. Following that discussion, Giuliani called the White House. While he was on the phone with the White House secretary, the South Tower fell.
In the days and weeks that followed, Mayor Giuliani rose to the occasion and helped New York recover and heal. He coordinated the response of various city departments while organizing the support of state and federal authorities for the World Trade Center site, for citywide anti-terrorist measures, and for restoration of destroyed infrastructure.
Afterward the 9/11 Commission found that the RDNY and NYPD protected 100% of the people who could be saved below the impact zone, just as Giuliani and his team had planned to do. Soon Mayor Giuliani became known as "America's Mayor." As the weeks and months went on, he continued to do whatever it took to help New Yorkers get through the crisis.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is given to individuals who have made "especially meritorious" contributions to the security or national interests of the country, world peace, cultural endeavors, or other significant public or private achievements. Rudy Giuliani's quick response and commanding leadership during that horrific time in our history is more than worthy of this award. The only question is, why did it take 24 years to give it to him?
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