by Madison Naves & Robin Phillips | WeINSPIRE Contributors

On September 11, 2001, 20 years ago, tragedy struck the United States in an unprecedented way, plunging the entire nation into a period of mourning and, some would say, an unending period of grieving. While most of the nation watched the horrendous events unfold on television, there were several front line responders who risked much and sacrificed even more to ensure the safety of as many victims as possible. Those selfless workers have been honored publically in national memorial ceremonies following the terror tragedy, but are remembered in more precious ways by their surviving and, in some cases, still-grieving family members.

Jessica Ross was 12 years old when her brother, Christopher Amoroso, lost his life while trying to evacuate victims from the north tower of the WTC during the 9/11 attacks. Amoroso, the eldest of six siblings, was a 29 year old New York City Port Authority Police officer that made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety of countless others. Ross remembers her brother as a gentle giant, a loyal and selfless man that mustered courage and bravery at a moment's notice.

The reality of Amoroso’s story is one that isn’t the easiest to accept for those who loved him, and Jessica struggled with her own emotions while processing her grief. She recalled being angry at first that her brother chose to save other people instead of coming home but later found solace by embracing the stories and memories of the lives he saved, and seeing her brother for the hero he is.

“I just want people to know if you’re grieving or in the process of loss, just go through the emotions,” said Ross. “Just trust yourself, follow your gut, and do what you need to do.”

Christopher’s family was able to speak with survivors and collect photos and footage of Chris helping others featured in 9/11 articles and documentaries. Among those survivors was Will Jimeno, who was the last person to speak to him as Christopher pulled him from the rubble.

“We are so fortunate that we have all these things to remember him by and the story to tell of him saving people,” said Ross. “Not everybody has that.” 

One of the mementos that Ross recalled fondly was a letter that Christopher wrote to his newborn daughter, Sophia Rose that was featured in a New York Times article. It now serves as a token of his love to remind his daughter of how much she meant to him. “He was always the most thoughtful and prepared guy,” said Ross. 

Jessica’s journey of grieving and healing culminated when she found the courage to become a speaker at Travis Manion Foundation’s annual 9/11 Heroes Run, and went on to join TMF’s Spartan Leadership Program. Eight years since participating in her first run, she now shares Christopher's story with pride. She enjoys keeping his memory alive by volunteering with TMF, hosting workouts to honor the victims, and holding 9/11 assemblies for the school works as a physical education teacher for.

“I tell my students that we owe it to those people to just keep talking about it, even if it’s uncomfortable,“ said Ross. “Those people that day we’re just going to work, they were going about their day.”

Ross found courage through her grief by honoring the heroism her brother displayed that day.

“If you’re scared to do something, do it,” said Ross. “This is your life, take charge of it because if not you then who is going to do it?”

Ross realized through her journey that life is too short to not be happy.

“It's not about how much money you have or what car you drive,” she said. “Because if I could have one thing, it wouldn’t be something that money could buy.”