9/11: 25 years on - a statement from SSAFA's CEO

11 September 2026

The devastating events of 11 September 2001 remain a defining moment in modern history. A quarter of a century later, we look back not to reopen wounds, but to remember the profound human cost of that day and the permanently altered world left in its wake.

The tragedies that unfolded in New York, Arlington, and Pennsylvania shattered any lingering illusion of distance from global insecurity in a matter of hours. Thet reshaped our shared understanding of security, community, and global interconnectedness. They also ushered in a world marked by a heightened awareness of vulnerability, permanently changing how we travel and communicate, and how we look out for one another.

Yet, looking beyond the wider historical consequences, the enduring legacy of that day is found in the triumph of human spirit and resilience. We witnessed unparalleled acts of courage as ordinary citizens and first responders ran towards danger to save total strangers.

The enormity of the loss of life is almost incomprehensible. Sometimes, the story of one life helps us grasp the scale of thousands lost.

9/11 is rightly remembered as an American tragedy, but its impact was profoundly international. People from many nations were caught up in the attacks, including Britain, with British lives, families, and communities among those affected.

One such individual was US Army Colonel Rick Rescorla. He was the recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Combat Infantryman Badge, and - posthumously - the Presidential Citizens Medal. 
 
Rick, born in Cornwall, began his military career as a British Army Para before moving to the United States and serving with distinction in Vietnam. He would go on to become one of America’s most decorated and celebrated military - and civilian - heroes.

In later years, Rick was World Trade Center Security Chief for Morgan Stanley. Through his diligence, he had planned and trained for an attack on those buildings.

On September 11, 2001, after the South Tower was struck, Rick executed his well-practised plan and led some 2,700 Morgan Stanley staff to safety. He went back into the tower to rescue others, but the building collapsed and Rick was not seen again.

At SSAFA, our mission has always centred on providing practical, emotional, and financial support to those who serve and their families. The post-9/11 era fundamentally altered the demands placed upon our service personnel and amplified the ripple effects felt by their loved ones.

Rick arguably embodied SSAFA’s core principles of Compassion, Commitment, Understanding, and Integrity.

And while few of us will ever be called upon to demonstrate those values to such an extraordinary extent, we can and should strive to live by them each day whether at work supporting the Armed Forces family, or in our personal lives.

Today, we honour the memories of the innocent lives cut short. We also reaffirm our commitment to supporting the people who navigate this more complex world, ensuring that Compassion, Commitment, Understanding, and Integrity remain the four cardinal points of the SSAFA compass.

Air Marshal Steve Shell
CEO
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity