As we approach the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I thought I would pass on a story and link to an interview from a survivor.
Ron DiFrancesco is an old, good, and dear friend of mine. (Full disclosure, he and his family are also clients of High Rock’s). If you search Ron’s name, and I highly encourage you to do so, he is widely recognized as the last person out of the South Tower alive. He may mention in some articles/interviews that I had something to do with that but, that is only because of his kindness. You will also learn that the real reason he made it out alive to see his family and friends is because he is resilient and has faith.
I first met Ron in 1st year at King’s College at Western University in September 1982 (39 years ago!). Ron was the life of the party back then even during the first week of school (which back then was a full-fledged week of “frosh week/beer drinking” which appears to have all but been deleted from campuses today). He would go on during subsequent years to be very involved in student life on campus.
Our friendship continued to grow after University and still does to this day with 7 of us in total that remain close and take the time and effort to spend time together. I talk/text with Ron at least twice per week.
I won’t go into the details of that day other than to say I was shaken to my core and was assured that Ron did not make it out alive, given the plane hit below where I knew his office was and I had spoken to him between the two planes hitting so I knew he was at his desk when that second plane hit the South Tower. I didn’t know he had made it out alive until later that day when his wife Mary had called me to tell us he was at the hospital alive. Relief beyond words.
But the real story is how this remarkable man picked himself up off the mat and faced his emotions, demons, guilt etc. With most of his body burned, his lungs completely filled with ash, and shrapnel throughout his body, the physical recovery was still probably easier, and quicker, than the mental/emotional recovery, which I know still lasts to this day and will forever. BUT, he has dealt with it like a true hero.
Ron is not one to seek out the limelight but he has given keynote speeches in Canada, the USA and Europe. I have only heard it through a private sitting but one of our good friends hired Ron to give his keynote address in front of a 1,500 person crowd and I am told that everyone in that room was completely captivated by his story of resilience. If there is anyone out there interested in having Ron give a keynote address, I would highly recommend him. In 2019, the Royal Canadian Geographic Society awarded Ron as a recipient of the Louie Kamookak Medal (in Ron’s case, for his resiliency). I am certain that if Ron was the type of person to seek out the limelight, he would be awarded more medals than his desk could handle.
Nuff said by me. Check out this short CBC National clip of Ron and Mary and then search for many other stories about my good friend Ron DiFrancesco.
Ron – you are loved and we are so glad you are with us today.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1943766083807