CCSC library receives book from former student
Speaker's message - everyone is an unlikely hero
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Sharing a message of hope Bob Morrison presents a copy of a book he authored, "Ashes to Ashes: 9/11," to Carroll High School Librarian Becky Lain. Morrison, a 1979 Carroll graduate, said he wrote the book based on experiences with rescue and recovery efforts after the World Trade Center was attacked in 2001 along with other defining moments in his life. The book contains journal entries he wrote along with photographs, interviews and stories from victims, their families and other volunteers. Morrison spoke to junior and senior high students before the book presentation to share his message that they were all "unlikely heroes" and had the ability to change the world for the better. Lain thanked Morrison and told him students were eager to read the book. "There's already a waiting list," Lain said. Comet photo by Kevin Schnepp

Author Bob Morrison said he was a firefighter in Indiana when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in 2001. When he heard news of the tragic event, he immediately got in his car and headed to New York City to see how he could help.

What he experienced there, along with other events in his life, made him realize he was an "unlikely hero," and so is everyone else.

Morrison, a 1979 graduate of Carroll High School, shared that message with middle and high school students at his alma mater last week. His speech accompanied the presentation of "Ashes to Ashes: 9/11" to the school library.

The book, published in January by Infinity Publishing, states on its cover it is "a story of one man's journey and struggle back from the nightmares and his ultimate discovery of salvation and peace of mind." Morrison said the book was "a firefighter's look back at the days of 9/11 and time spent at Ground Zero."

Within its pages are excerpts from his journal, kept during search and recovery, interviews of other rescuers, family members of victims, survivors and eye witnesses, and photos from the scene and of those affected by Sept. 11, 2001.

During his speech Morrison said those and other personal experiences, such as losing his father at a young age, transformed his way of thinking and lifestyle choices. He said his parents owned and operated the Burlington Dog- N-Suds drive-in restaurant until shortly after his father died of a heart attack at the age of 43. The unexpected loss of his childhood hero made a lasting impression. He explained his father showed him many times, by way of his actions, how to care for others, especially during emergencies.

"Everybody has to have a hero," he said. "My hero was my dad."

Morrison told students not only could they benefit from having a positive role model, but they were heroes themselves. He explained his intent was for the young listeners to understand choices they made now would affect their entire lives and that each of them held great potential to change the world.

"Each one of you is an unlikely hero," he told students. "Do the right thing, and it will come back to bless you. You have to align yourself. We gotta change the world and you guys are it."

He said there was nothing special about his actions when he went to help with the tragedies and that each person had the same ability. He encouraged students to act when they witnessed injustice, whether locally or globally.

"Don't take your blessings for granted," he concluded. "9/11 changed a lot about our country. You can change things, too. They're the types of things that will define and shape you."

Morrison resides in southern Indiana with his wife and three children. He left firefighting due to an on-duty injury. He currently works in the healthcare field.

He will soon begin the ordination process within the Church of God and is an ambassador for Promise Keepers. He has volunteered for many mission trips including helping people impacted by hurricane Katrina and the Lakota people in Allen, S.D. When he is not writing, he enjoys fishing, traveling, public speaking and teaching men about Christ.

His book can be found at www.buybooksontheweb.com and other online merchants.