*Author's Note* - This story mentions thoughts of suicide. If you or anybody you know is in crisis/struggling, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time to connect with trained counselors.

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) - At 19 years old, Jorel Wester joined the Coast Guard. And before his boot camp finished, he was sent to help during the September 11th terrorist attacks.

“[They] took us on boats to Ground Zero, and we were taking people off boats and we were taking them off Manhattan, onto boats, kinda like my welcome to the military, welcome to the coast guard,” Wester said.

His first mission was to save people when the Twin Towers fell. Soon after, he trained for search and rescue.

“I was trained to take a 47 motor surfboard out, and pull people back from the worst of the wo

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