This month on Patriot Day, we remember those who sacrificed their lives in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, whether they were firefighters, police officers, or regular citizens, and chose courage over fear. Among those heroic tales are the stories of a few veterans who, armed with little more than their military training and good will, stood tall in the face of chaos and collectively saved thousands of lives. These are their stories. These two former U.S. Marines met each other in their old uniforms, having had the same idea to help search for survivors. Thomas drove from Long Island after dropping his daughter off at school, and Karnes came from his office in Connecticut. While searching together, they found and helped save two survivors buried 20 feet underground. Both men assisted rescuers for multiple days after that, and Karnes ended up reenlisting and serving two tours in Iraq. VETERAN HEROES OF 9/11 JASON THOMAS AND DAVID KARNES STANDING IN THE FACE OF CHAOS
STAY TONED BY LIFTING WEIGHTS AT HOME THE ANTI-AGING BENEFITS OF FREE WEIGHTS In her best-selling lifestyle guide “French Women Don’t Get Fat,” Mireille Guiliano advises women in their 50s to invest in a set of free weights — nothing too heavy, perhaps 3–5 pounds — in order to maintain their toned, youthful appearance and range of motion. She notes that lifting weights isn’t entirely necessary during your 20s and 30s, but it’s essential to maintain muscle tone and bone density in your later years. Though Guiliano’s evidence is anecdotal, the science confirms that lifting weights can be an indispensable aid to healthy aging for both men and women. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information recommends strength training 2–3 times per week to lower your risk of health problems and preserve bone density, independence, and vitality. According to WebMD, “Muscle loss is one of the main reasons people feel less energetic as they get older. When you lift weights, work out on machines, use resistance bands, or do exercises with your own body weight (like pushups and situps), you build strength, muscle mass, and flexibility.” You don’t have to join a gym to reap the benefits though; just pick up a set of free weights and a resistance band and research how to safely use them in your own home. Bodybuilding.com recommends designing a workout routine that includes one or two exercises for each of the major muscle groups: legs, back, shoulders, arms, chest, and abs. Try 8–10 repetitions per set, but don’t push yourself to use heavy weights. Even options that are 10 pounds or less should be enough to keep you chasing after your grandchildren for years to come. One public figure who has taken the weightlifting creed to heart is Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The documentary “RBG” shows the 86-year-old judge at the
BENJAMIN KEEFE CLARK
Clark was a chef on the 96th floor of the south tower, and, when the plane struck the building, he made sure everyone in the offices on his floor got to safety. His mother attributed his courage to his eight years as a Marine, and one company official later said that his courage saved hundreds of lives. Clark gave his life that day, and many of those he saved were among the 1,200 in attendance at his memorial service.
RICK RESCORLA
The 2,700 workers at Morgan Stanley in the World Trade Center owed their lives to the company’s head of corporate security, Rick Rescorla, a decorated former Army officer of the Vietnam War. After the first plane struck the north tower, Rescorla ignored intercom warnings for workers to remain seated in the south tower and ordered Morgan Stanley employees to evacuate the building. While they evacuated, he sang songs over a bullhorn to keep them calm. He was last seen looking for stragglers on the 10th floor of the building before it collapsed. His body was never found. The acts of these men foreshadowed the heroism of the brave military men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next several years. This month, we remember not only the tragedy of what occurred that day but also the bravery of those who faced it.
gym, pumping lightweight iron with her personal trainer, and she even walked spring chicken Stephen Colbert through her routine on “The Late Show.” Ginsburg has called her trainer “the most important person” in her life apart from her family, which is a ringing endorsement for lifting weights if ever there was one.
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