‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.‘
––The Holy Bible (John 15:13)
They say that everybody remembers when they first heard about 9/11.
I know I do.
I was at a sweaty gym in the suburbs of Colombo, trying to focus on my lifts, while my buddy and the two trainers were glued to the T.V.
Little did I know that this day would change the world forever.
And little did I suspect, that some 24 years later, I would be moved to write about the heroic efforts of an exceptional human being on that day.
A Hero in Action
Battalion Chief Orio Palmer and team were among the first to arrive at the World Trade Center following the initial attack on 9/11.
Then, when the South Tower was hit, he moved there to help with the rescue efforts.
He faced many challenges, but Chief Palmer overcame each one and truly shone that day.
With none of the lifts working, there was no easy way to get up to the hundreds of frightened and injured people trapped on the upper floors, or bring them down.
Chief Palmer managed to get a freight elevator working, enabling rescuers to get to the higher floors quickly and bring people down to safety.
Amidst the chaos and destruction at the site, the radio systems were not working. There was no way to send or receive the information needed to coordinate the rescue.
Again, Chief Palmer rose to the challenge and got the radios working, restoring critical communications that would help to save more lives.
12 Floors in 10 Minutes
Chief Palmer was determined to get to the upper floors and the point of impact, but the freight elevator he fixed would only take him up to the 41st floor.
So, he climbed the remaining 37 floors on foot, and in record time.
Heavily laden with gear, estimated to weigh up to 50-60 lbs, Chief Palmer powered up the stairway, ascending 12 floors in just 10 minutes, relaying crucial information as he went along.
Together with colleague, Fire Marshall Ronald Bucca, who he met along the way, he eventually reached the 78th floor.
Once there, he radioed back, reporting two fires and several fatalities, yet sounding confident that the fires could be put out easily.
But tragically, shortly afterwards, the South Tower collapsed, claiming the lives of Chief Palmer and so many others.
Battalion Chief Orio Palmer
Battalion Chief Orio Joseph Palmer was born on 2nd March, 1956 in New York City, U.S.A.
Following a distinguished career with Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) that spanned two decades, he was widely recognised for his dedication, extensive knowledge and physical prowess.
Chief Palmer held an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology from Westchester Community College and was working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Engineering from John Jay College.
He also authored several training manuals and technical articles on firefighting tactics and safety.
But Chief Palmer’s specialist knowledge didn’t end there.
He was also knowledgeable in subjects such as radio communications in high-rise buildings, and the operation of elevators: knowledge that would play a crucial role in his actions during the rescue efforts of 9/11.
Chief Palmer was a formidable athlete, completing numerous marathons, triathlons and other fitness challenges.
He held the distinction of being the first person to win the FDNY’s annual Physical Fitness Award five times!
Family Man and Exceptional Human
Chief Palmer was a devoted husband, father and family man.
On a personal note, one of the most endearing things I have learned about him was of his love of children.
Chief Palmer’s family reports that he enjoyed playing and ‘goofing around’ with his children, nieces and nephews, and kids from the neighbourhood.
Not only did he organise fishing trips and games of stickball with these kids, he’s even credited with inventing silly ‘fairy dances’ for the amusement of his daughters!
Hope Amidst the Rubble
Chief Palmer’s mission that day in 2001 was to save the lives of those who were trapped in the buildings following the attacks.
He did so much and got so far, but fate preventing him from fully completing what he’d set out to do.
But even in death, he remains victorious, because he lived and died as he chose: showing up as the best version of himself and serving others–right until the final moment.
One can only imagine the sense of relief it would have given the scared and injured people trapped on the 78th floor, to see the figures of Chief Palmer and Fire Marshall Bucca emerging from the smoke and rubble that day.
It is more than likely that thanks to these two heroic men, their final moments were filled with hope and relief, instead of the terror and despair they would have otherwise felt.
The Definition of A Hero
The defining characteristic of a hero is that he runs towards danger while everyone else runs away from it.
And that’s exactly what Battalion Chief Palmer did on 9/11.
When the Twin Towers were under attack and in flames; when everyone was trying their best to get away from it all, he did his very best to get to the heart of it, so he could save lives.
Spiritual Warrior
Chief Palmer wasn’t in the military, but he was every bit a warrior.
And though he didn’t fight on the battlefield, he still fought daily. He fought countless fires, and he also fought everything that makes up a person’s lower nature: things like sloth, mediocrity, arrogance and fear.
He was a spiritual badass, and his lower nature (if he even had one) never stood a chance!
Chief Palmer was a warrior of light. He’d tapped into his superpower and his actions were grounded in love:
Love for others – He was a giver to the core and lived to serve.
Whether it was coaching the kids baseball team, or coaching colleagues for their promotional exams, Chief Palmer gave his time generously.
He even went into work on his days off to paint the fire station!
Love for the craft – He wanted to be the best firefighter he could be. So, he studied, trained and drilled relentlessly.
He trained his mind and body in all the ways that would make him a more effective fireman and leader.
Love for the self – Chief Palmer invested time and energy to become his best self.
He kept fit. He was a lifelong learner. And he did what he loved to do.
He did all the things that fulfilled him and delighted his spirit.
Love for life – Chief Palmer lived life to the full.
He learned. He taught. He served. He played. He loved. He laughed and he made others laugh.
He lived joyfully.
Uncommon Amongst the Uncommon
There’s no questioning the fact that everyone who stepped up to help and serve on that day is a hero or heroine, demonstrating through their selfless actions the uncommon nature of their character.
But Chief Palmer was uncommon even among these uncommon people, because the heroes he worked with considered him their hero and role model.
At an interview, Former FDNY Commissioner Sal Cassano was asked whether Chief Palmer’s men followed him because they feared him or respected him. Commissioner Cassano’s reply was, “They followed him because they loved him.“
I am indebted to the living legend David Goggins for introducing me to the phrase ‘uncommon amongst the uncommon.’
Greatness recognises greatness, so there is no doubt at all in my mind that Mr. Goggins would gladly approve of the use of his words to describe Chief Palmer.
Remembering 9/11 Differently
For most people, the mere mention of 9/11 stirs up feelings of fear, sadness and anger.
But by choosing to see it only in this way, we might be doing ourselves and so many heroes and heroines a disservice.
Of course, we should never forget what happened. And of course, those feelings we all feel are more than justified.
But we shouldn’t just focus on the many ways in which darkness and evil won that day.
We should also try to remember with pride, admiration and gratitude, all the selfless men and women who stepped up that day and did incredible things–things that should never be forgotten.
So, perhaps, when you next think of 9/11, you might choose to remember Battalion Chief Orio Palmer: who he was, what he did, and all the good that he embodied.
And maybe, like me, you might draw inspiration from his example.
To this end, I would like to share a quote which hung on Chief Palmer’s home refrigerator and was something he lived by:
Remember as always, live while you’re alive.
Legacy
Following his death, Chief Palmer has been duly recognised for his service and heroism.
He has two streets name after him, and the fitness award he won so many times at the FDNY is now called the ‘DC Orio Palmer Memorial Fitness Award.’
But along with his life and example, Chief Palmer’s greatest legacy has to be his three children, who live according to his values and continue to make this world a better place through their work and service.
Together, they founded the Orio Palmer Foundation with the mission of ‘providing scholarships to aspiring students that embody the values of courage, service, and leadership.’
As one commenter on Youtube put it: ‘I’m glad his genes (are) still out here among us.’
I couldn’t agree more!
A Final Salute
It is customary for every military hero to receive a final salute.
Although the hero in question is a civilian, I am firmly convinced that a final salute is still called for.
So here goes:
Chief Palmer, Sir, thank you for you service and example.
We will always remember you with so much pride, admiration and gratitude.
We hope you have found the heavenly peace that you so richly deserve.
We also hope that you are resting secure in the knowledge that you continue to make this world a better place, through your memory and legacy.
I would like to thank Mr. Keith Palmer and the Orio Palmer Foundation for their generous assistance in the creation of this post.
The text is largely based on the biography of Battalion Chief Orio Palmer from the Foundation’s website (linked below).
The photograph of Chief Palmer is reproduced with kind permission from the Orio Palmer Foundation.
