Thousands of scallop shells have been transformed into poppies in a poignant tribute to the victims of 9/11 – including a British hero credited with saving more than 2,500 lives.
The Veterans Charity has brought together people in Hayle, Cornwall, to create one poppy for each of the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks.
Around 6,000 scallop shells donated by fishermen in Newlyn are being used to create the striking display ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks on 11 September 2001.
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Among those being remembered is Rick Rescorla, who was originally from Hayle and was head of security for Morgan Stanley in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
The 62-year-old led more than 2,500 people to safety after the attacks began before bravely going back inside to help others, as reported by Need To Know.
He was still inside when the tower collapsed and his body has never been found.
Iain Henderson, trustee of The Veterans Charity, said: “We wanted something that actually could involve the community and really bring people together.
“It’s just been a fitting tribute for the 25th anniversary of 9/11.”
Most of the shell poppies have been painted red, while 70 will be blue to honour law enforcement workers who died in the attacks.
A single purple poppy will remember Sirius, a Port Authority Police Department dog who was also killed.
Once completed, the poppies will be placed along a footpath in Hayle for a month.
Rescorla’s cousin Jon Daniels said the British-born hero would have been proud of the tribute.
He said: “He was military through and through from a very young age.
“So he’d be supporting this no doubt.”
Rescorla served in both the British and US armies and had previously raised concerns about the World Trade Center’s vulnerability to terrorism.
He also organised regular evacuation drills which would prove crucial on the morning of the attacks.
Danny Greeno, chief executive of The Veterans Charity, said Rescorla saved lives through his “skill, knowledge and courage”.
He added: “He was even singing Cornish songs to keep morale up as he evacuated the South Tower.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has supported this wonderful and poignant initiative and we are proud to have been able to play a part in honouring those who lost their lives on that awful day 25 years ago.”
A special scallop-shell wreath dedicated to Rescorla has also been created and is due to be laid at the 9/11 Memorial in New York by Mark Otto, a US Marine Corps veteran and president of the United War Veterans Council.
It has been decorated with pins representing the forces Rescorla served with during his life.
Meanwhile, people will gather in Hayle on Friday, 11 September, for a special parade and service honouring Rescorla and the 2,977 victims of the attacks.
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