The White House expressed gratitude for " courage and quick thinking of several passengers , including U.S. service members , who selflessly subdued the attacker ... " U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned the three Americans , thanking them for their heroic actions . General Philip M. Breedlove of the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart , added his voice , calling the three Americans heroes for their actions which " clearly illustrate the courage and commitment our young men and women have all the time , whether they are on duty or on leave . " Kevin Johnson , mayor of Sacramento , California , held a parade to honor Skarlatos , Sadler , Stone , and the victims of the September 11 attacks . Megyn Kelly of Fox News Channel 's '' The Kelly File '' , asked Skarlatos whether he had a different appreciation of what happened when the World Trade Center collapsed . " I feel so much more connected to terrorist attacks and things like that and victims of terrorist attacks , " said Skarlatos , " That easily could have been us if any one of six or seven things went a different way . " Skarlatos was announced as a competitor in season 21 of '' Dancing with the Stars '' . He was partnered with professional dancer Lindsay Arnold . He said that he was inspired to participate on the show by Noah Galloway , a soldier who was on the previous season of the series . Skarlatos and Arnold made it to the finals of the show and finished in third place
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Alek Skarlatos