The iconic firefighter who stood along side President George W. Bush during his visit to Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks on 9/11 has died of melanoma at the age of 91-years-old.
Bob Beckwith, retired NYC firefighter, watched the Twin Towers collapse after being struck by airplanes on the morning of September 11th, and felt it was his call of duty to go down to the scene and volunteer with his fellow firefighters, digging through the rubble.
Karl Rove, Bush’s Senior Advisor at the time, told Beckwith that ‘somebody important’ was coming to the area and he was to help him up, then get back down from the pile of rubble. Beckwith has said in interviews that he had no idea that ‘somebody’ was going to be the President of the United States. Beckwith did help the president to the top of the rubble, asked if he was ok, and was going to get down, but Bush said to him, ‘Where you going, you stay right here.’ And he did, with Bush’s arm around his shoulders.
“Laura and I are saddened by the passing of Bob Beckwith. On September 11, 2001, Bob was happily retired after more than 30 years of service with the New York City Fire Department. When the terrorists attacked, Bob suited back up and, like so many brave first responders, raced toward the danger to save and search for others. His courage represented the defiant, resilient spirit of New Yorkers and Americans after 9/11 I was proud to have Bob by my side at Ground Zero days later and privileged to stay in touch with this patriot over the years. Laura and I send our condolences to Barbara and the Beckwith family as they remember this decent, humble man,” President Bush said in a statement.
His wife Barbara, three children, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren survive Beckwith.
By - FZ
