Every year at the Cattle Convention, at the grand opening
session, they bring in a “name” motivational or inspirational speaker. I try to
attend because, well, I’m inspiration-challenged.
I’ll bet the name Richard Picciotto doesn’t ring any bells
with you. Didn’t with me, either, but you probably know his story. He was a
fire chief in New York City on September 11, 2001, just coming on duty at 8:45
that morning when THE call came in. I could give you the rest of the story, but
then you wouldn’t have to buy his book (Last Man Down), and there isn’t really
space here.
Picciotto was the inspirational speaker yesterday, and
yes, I was inspired. He isn’t what you would call a “classic” great speaker,
but my goodness, does he have a story to tell about being in the north tower
that morning, ushering/shoving/carrying thousands of people out of the death
trap, then somehow surviving with a few other people when it pancaked down on top
of him. How? A miracle, and he knows it.
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