Crystal Lake Man Recalls Memories From 9/11 Attack In Book

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Crystal Lake resident Ryan Yantis, an army officer who served the Sept. 11 on the Pentagon, is among eight people who shared their stories regarding the attack.

The book, 9/11 Survivors' Stories: Midwest Memories, was published by American Pride Inc. in August. Yantis is the only "military voice" in the book. He was serving in the Pentagon on the army staff and shares the reaction of the more than 20,000 individuals on site that day, and the heroism and coming-together as a nation on the days following, according to a news release.

Writers were not compensated for their work. The copy-editing, proofreading, design, and legal assistance needed to publish the book were provided pro bono by professionals. Actor Gary Sinise wrote the forward for the book, and the stories are by Midwesterners, six who experienced the attack on the World Trade Center and two who were at the Pentagon.

"All the profits from the book will be used to help preserve the history, as well as provide hope and healing," said Don Bacso, president of American Pride, Inc., in a statement.

Yantis has given thousands of speeches and will continue to give presentations to "keep the history alive."

"There is a generation born in those 20-years we hope will find this book helpful to authentically understand the trageed," he says.