Jason Thomas

The morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Jason Thomas, a former Marine Corps sergeant, dropped everything he was doing because he felt compelled to respond to a horrific terrorist attack at the disaster site now known as Ground Zero. Years later, the whole world learned of his courageous, humble and respectful actions that day and made him a living hero. This extraordinary man stood tall on 9/11 and saved two Port Authority police officers from the rubble on that terrible day. Sgt. Jason Thomas is unassuming, but his efforts to save those trapped officers have made him a part of American history. His heroism is so remarkable that he plays a significant role in the movie “World Trade Center,” directed by Oliver Stone. While most people were numbed with silence, watching the destruction and chaos from a distance, Thomas had to do something. Against all odds, he ventured off into the scalding ruins of what was once the towering World Trade Center, determined to find survivors that by most other accounts were presumed dead. Thomas’ tenacity paid off after he and another former Marine dug ceaselessly into the burning and twisted rubble, locating two trapped police officers, which led to their rescue. He spent the next two and a half weeks at the sacred ground, praying over the dead and helping wherever he could. Day after day he went back, hoping he could find other survivors and send them home to their families. Thomas risked his own life and his future with his family by conducting this voluntary search and rescue at The World Trade Center on 9/11. What an excruciating, horrific day for America. How terrible it was for all those who lost their lives that day. Many died heroes. He, too, could have died, but he lived and now he is available to share his story of strength and character.