"Thank you Sergeant David Karnes"

 From the Facebook page "Thank you Sergeant David Karnes". I had the pleasure of sitting across from David in homeroom in 12th grade. A true American hero, a believer in Jesus Christ and fellow Steel Valley Class of 1976 alumni. Semper Fi David ! God Bless ! 

A remarkable man. An unsung hero in one of the darkest hours of our nation..

 Thank you Staff Sergeant Karnes.

"Description • During the 9/11 attacks, Karnes, an accountant by profession, left his office at Deloitte and Touche in Wilton, Connecticut on September 11, 2001 soon after witnessing the attacks on television. Karnes said to his co-workers, "You guys may not realize it, but we're at war right now."

 According to a Slate magazine profile, Karnes drove to a local church and asked the pastor and parishioners to ...say a prayer that God would lead him to survivors. A devout Christian, Karnes often turned to God when faced with decisions."

 Having spent 23 years in the Marine Corps infantry, he got a regulation hair cut, put on his Marine Corps camouflage utility uniform and obtained equipment that included rappelling gear. He drove from Connecticut to the World Trade Center to assist with the disaster. At the site he ran into another Marine, Jason Thomas, and walked with him into the rubble. At the time he only knew his fellow Marine as "Sgt. Thomas." His full identity was not discovered until years later.

 According to a Defense Department profile of Karnes:

 "As we were walking we were yelling at the top of our lungs 'United States Marines, can anyone hear us?'" Karnes described. “As we approached the depression of the south tower I thought I heard something. Indeed it was some muffled call for help, I ensured them that "Thomas and I were both looking for them so keep yelling so we can find you.” Karnes instructed Thomas to position himself on some high rubble for visibility and to guide any responding rescuers to the trapped men. After Karnes called his wife and sister on his cell phone with instructions to relay to the authorities his whereabouts, he and Thomas were able to find two survivors.”

 The two men found Will Jimeno and John McLoughlin, a pair of police officers buried in the rubble.

 Karnes spent a total of nine days at the site before returning to his office. Upon returning home, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and went on to serve in the Philippines and Iraq. He served for 17 months, including two tours of duty in Iraq."