That’s how it is for Gatto\u2014and many others\u2014who, in the years since 9\/11, have found opportunities to give back that honor and celebrate the spirit of that solemn day and everything that followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve Gatto (center) at the 2019 Oscar Mike Ball, standing next to Noah Currier, founder of Oscar Mike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The day had only just begun when the World Trade Center’s north tower was attacked. Gatto and his colleagues in the south tower started evacuating a few minutes later, and then their tower was also hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter our building got hit, it was scary,\u201d Gatto recalls. \u201cThe building shook, there was glass shattering, and people were screaming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As he and others made their way down the tower through the stairwell, they eventually passed firefighters making their way up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat was something that made an impact on me,\u201d Gatto says. \u201cI doubt many of them made it out alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After reaching the ground level and getting out of the building, Gatto witnessed the chaos and confusion on the streets as more firefighters, police officers and FBI agents ran toward and into the building to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSeeing how people were looking out for one another, the selflessness, the willingness to run into danger to protect others, it was so inspiring to see,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And in the weeks and months following 9\/11, he watched, along with the rest of the country, as thousands of people from all backgrounds enlisted in the military to fight the war on terror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey knew the danger they would face in fighting for our freedom, and did not back down or hide,\u201d he says. \u201cIt was amazing to see our country united together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Years later, Gatto was introduced to an organization called the Oscar Mike Foundation, which helps injured veterans stay on the move through adaptive sports programs, experiences and events. Through Oscar Mike, Gatto was reminded of the sense of unity he saw after 9\/11, and how everyone came together to support first responders and the military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSeeing what Oscar Mike did for injured veterans really got me motivated to get involved,\u201d Gatto says. \u201cThe organization honors and gives back to veterans who have sacrificed so much for America, and it’s been extremely powerful to see what they’ve been able to do to change people’s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gatto now regularly raises funds for Oscar Mike, and participates in the organization’s annual fundraising ball, to benefit programs that support injured vets’ physical and mental health. In that way, his involvement helps to keep the spirit of patriotism alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each year on 9\/11, Gatto\u2014like many other Americans\u2014takes time to remember, celebrate life and spend the day with family and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"steve](\"https:\/\/www.rbcwealthmanagement.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/11\/steve-gatto-oscar-mike-in-page.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWatching the country come together<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Remembering by giving back<\/h2>\n\n\n\n