By Barbara Carmen
The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)
Copyright 2006 The Columbus Dispatch
All Rights Reserved

A Whitehall man whose heroism is depicted in the movie, World Trade Center, yesterday got exactly what he never sought: a fuss.

Shoulders squared and feet planted, Jason L. Thomas, a former Marine sergeant, looked stunned that so many people would drop by the Ohio Supreme Court to welcome the security guard back to work.

In the crowd of about 300 were Lt. Gov. Bruce Johnson, two state senators, a House member, three Supreme Court justices and a representative of Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman.

Speeches and commendations flowed.

Thomas, however, saved his broadest smile for the day's shortest proclamation. "Hello, Daddy!" shouted Jason Christian Thomas, 2, as he wiggled atop mom Kirsti's lap in the front row.

"You probably are a little bit uncomfortable about all this attention," House Speaker Jon Husted said. "As a Marine, it's all about the mission, not the man."

Thomas, 32, smiled and nodded.

A couple of weeks ago, when the movie opened, word got out that Thomas was one of two former Marines who rescued two Port Authority officers from the rubble of the towers. He slipped out of town last week to visit family in New York City and to do TV interviews.

Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer told Thomas that coworkers had quickly organized yesterday's ceremony because so many people had called asking how to "express their admiration for what you have done."

"In today's world, a truly, truly courageous act followed by a demonstration of humility is rarely seen."

Fresh out of the Marines on Sept. 11, 2001, Thomas, who was living in New York, skipped a college class after hearing of the attack and hurried to Ground Zero. After helping other volunteers provide medical help to the injured, he met David Karnes, a former Marine staff sergeant, and the two began a search for survivors.

"As I stood on the burning, twisted rubble, I refused to accept there was no hope," Thomas told the audience yesterday. He said he had trusted God to take care of him, but was certain the rubble would collapse underneath him.

"I thought I was a goner," he said.

But in the darkness, he continued to shout: "United States Marines, is anyone down there?" He heard a faint voice and summoned other rescuers. Thomas continued to help dig until Officer William Jimeno was rescued. Exhausted, he left before Officer John McLoughlin was pulled out alive hours later.

Thomas said he had returned to the site over the next 2 1/2 weeks to help dig and found mostly body parts.

Three years ago, the family moved to Columbus, Kirsti's hometown, and he never talked of that day. The couple now live in Whitehall with their five children.

"I though I'd done a pretty good job of putting it behind me," Thomas said. But the movie prompted him to reveal his involvement in the rescue to coworkers and friends.

In New York last week, Thomas and Jimeno were reunited.

"Thank you," Jimeno told him.

"Thank you," Thomas said back. "Thank you just for screaming as loud as you did."

Thomas was touched by yesterday's ceremony, but insisted, "I'm not a hero."

The heroes, he said, died that day.