9/11’s youngest first responder casualty

Huntington, L.I.: I vividly recall the sunny morning with not even a cloud in the sky 25 years ago — until news reports came in that the twin towers were hit, and nothing would ever be the same. And I will never forget how we all came together as one proud city and nation.

Of all the heroism displayed that day, there was one story that was very personal. It was about a young man who worked for a law firm in my building near JFK Airport, who I must’ve passed in the hallways too many times to remember. His name was Richard Allen Pearlman, and he was only 18 years old, working as a messenger and delivering documents at 1 Police Plaza when the first plane struck the North Tower. His office had implored him to stay put for safety. Instead, he called to tell them he was heading to the towers to treat the wounded, as he was also a volunteer EMT. There was even a photograph published in Newsweek capturing him aiding people at Ground Zero. He was in the South Tower helping a patient when it collapsed. He was the youngest first responder killed in the attacks.

We can’t take what we have in this beautiful country, however imperfect, for granted.

Chris N. Karalekas

Lethal lies

Elmhurst: After 25 years, the WTC documents released by the city that show what our body politic knew about the toxicity of the air after the 9/11 attacks tells us three things. The first is that every politician who claimed the air was safe should be voted out of office. The second is that they should all be locked up. The third and most important thing is that their deliberate lie is a form of treason that conspired with the enemy and lasts to this day. While we weep over our continual losses, our politicians are laughing at us behind our backs.

James League

A hero’s legacy

Peters Township, Pa.: The president did a wonderful thing recently. He posthumously presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, a Sept. 11, 2001 hero who rescued at least 18 individuals from the World Trade Center before he lost his life there. President Trump stuck to the script for the most part, delivering a beautiful tribute, and he welcomed the hero’s mother and sister. His mother accepted the award and spoke eloquently, expressing appreciation for the award being presented to her son. She also boosted the organization that bears her son’s name, the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust, which helps young people grow into exemplary adults, just as Crowther did. The aftermath of the attack on our country was a time of unity in our country, albeit short-lived. I wish we could get it back.

Oren Spiegler

Cheap stuff

Carle Place, L.I.: Leave it to the shameless Bradford Exchange to exploit the tragic events of 9/11 to market its schlock WTC “sculptures” and silver coins. Just plain disgusting.

Rudy Rosenberg

Proper credentials

Flushing: Re “Tighter rules for NY press” (Sept. 10): The City Council led by Speaker Julie Menin is right to reform NYC’s press credentialing process. When the process is so watered down that press cards are issued by City Hall to advocates and influencers rather than legitimate journalists, there is a breakdown of trust between the consumer of news and those reporting it. There can also develop cynicism about possible corruption by City Hall when press cards are seen as being issued to supporters in exchange for favorable coverage or to shill on behalf of the administration.

Jack Chen

Deranged & deadly

Staten Island: Why does the Daily News continue to publish simpletons like Voicer Josh Greenburger, who whines that police were wrong to kill a murderous lunatic coming at them waving knives while screaming “I will kill you”? The policing expert says cops should have stepped back and aimed at her legs. This isn’t the movies, Josh. If they miss, they could hit a bystander in crowded Times Square. If they don’t stop her, she could kill them. You also said she was only a “deranged person,” not a violent criminal. She just killed someone and stabbed another! I’m no lawyer, but I’m pretty sure that makes her a violent criminal.

John Colella

Mass bribe

Woodstock, N.Y.: So now the Orange Menace is going to take time out from his busy schedule spending taxpayer money redecorating D.C. to bribe people into voting for the Gross Old Party of reverse Robin Hoods — taking from the poor to enrich the already rich. I thought bribery was against the law. It was a felony, last I heard. Should the Supreme Court weigh in, perhaps?

Suzanne Hayes-Kelly

Chargeable offense

Bronx: Today’s civics lesson: 18 U.S. Code Section 597, expenditures to influence voting. “Whoever makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate; and whoever solicits, accepts, or receives any such expenditure in consideration of his vote or the withholding of his vote — shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.”

Maria Bonsanti

Flak from afar

Staten Island: On numerous occasions, I’ve noticed that Voice of the People has published letters by San Francisco Voicer Jimmy Layton. Doesn’t San Francisco have a newspaper where he can voice anti-Trump opinions, or are they just not interested in his Trump Derangement Syndrome gibberish?

Rich Buttermark

Violence begets violence

Jersey City: To Voicer Michael Wilson: Germany had a Catholic minority. Adolf Hitler was an altar boy, no less. Thanks to his cruel father, Alois, who brutally beat young Adolf, changing his behavior, he became the evil head of the Nazi Party. Violence breeds violence — something that is brewing in our great country. Trump will never learn this. I pity America unless we fight back. I served in Vietnam and worked in the World Trade Center and saw the horror. God bless America!

Tony Zaccone

Extended absence

Port Jefferson, L.I.: What is really wrong with Aaron Judge? A broken rib should heal in six to eight weeks. What are the Yankees not revealing to their fans?

Jack A. Castina

Lost luster

Lansdowne, Pa.: Re “Ivanka, Jared Kushner looking to go Hollywood” (Aug. 30): Since Greece is no longer a monarchy, I don’t think Princess Marie-Chantal née Miller is a crown princess. I’m really surprised to know that her luxury children’s wear brand is still in business. At least 15 years ago, some friends and I went to Philly fashion outlet Franklin Mills. Princess Marie’s party dresses for little girls — first- and second-graders — were $475 each!

G. Makiver