September 10, 2021, 10:27 am*
9/11 is a day of reflection. People tell stories of loved ones lost, of those who were generous and put their lives at risk to help in the aftermath, and of those who did all that they could to care for grieving family and friends.
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One woman on Twitter shared a story about her Dad organizing a rescue situation of his own on that day — getting seven stranded passengers from Omaha to Denver in a rental van after they had to deplane. Her father passed away in 2016, and she wants to use social media to find those seven passengers.
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“Did my dad help you on September 11, 2001? If so, I’m trying to find you,” Mercedes Martinez began the thread. “On September 11th, 2001 my dad caught a flight in Ohio to fly home to Denver. He was there on business and was anxious to get home to see his family.”
“Shortly after takeoff, the pilot announced that the flight was being grounded. There was a breach of security and they had to land at the nearest airport,” she continued.
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Mercedes’ dad had a bad feeling, so he called a rental company and asked to rent the biggest van they had. Then he got the car and drove it to the terminal and made a sign that said “GOING TO DENVER.”
“People started approaching him asking if he was going that way. He said yes, he rented a van and he would be able to take 7 people with him,” she wrote.
“He found 7 strangers, all scared (so was he), that just wanted to get home to their families. The 8 of them hopped in and my dad drove them from Omaha to Denver. When they got to the metro area, he drove every single person to their home.”
Mercedes added that her father refused to take gas money: “To him, seeing those people make it to their families when the country was being attacked was the only thing that mattered to him. Many of those people kept in touch with him for several years…We were so proud of him. We still are.”
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Mercedes noted that her father died in 2016 of brain cancer, and she wonders if some of those people still think of him.
“I know social media is powerful, and I’m really hoping this tweet finds those people. I’d love to heard about that drive. His name is Emilio.”
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“My dad has and will always be my hero,” she wrote. “And I do believe my dad was a hero to 7 people that needed to get to their families in Denver on September 11, 2001. If you were one of them, please DM me.”
Featured Image: Twitter
*First Published: September 10, 2021, 10:26 am
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