9\/11\u2019s youngest first responder casualty<\/p>\n
Huntington, L.I.: I vividly recall the sunny morning with not even a cloud in the sky 25 years ago \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n
We can\u2019t take what we have in this beautiful country, however imperfect, for granted.<\/p>\n
Chris N. Karalekas<\/p>\n
Lethal lies<\/p>\n
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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n James League<\/p>\n A hero\u2019s legacy<\/p>\n Peters Township, Pa.: The president did a wonderful thing recently. He posthumously presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther<\/a>, 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Oren Spiegler<\/p>\n Cheap stuff<\/p>\n Carle Place, L.I.: Leave it to the shameless Bradford Exchange to exploit the tragic events of 9\/11 to market its schlock WTC \u201csculptures\u201d and silver coins. Just plain disgusting.<\/p>\n Rudy Rosenberg<\/p>\n Proper credentials<\/p>\n