Two of the heros of World Trade Center are Marines, one retired, and the other on active duty.  The identity of the latter had never been discovered until last week, when Sgt. Jason Thomas stepped forward after seeing a commercial concerning the film.  Here is an article on Sgt. Thomas.

I would like to interview Sgt. Thomas and Staff Sgt. David Karnes, and would appreciate contact information on either.  Please send it to hugh@hughhewitt.com.

UPDATE: In an interview with Charlie Rose, Oliver Stone emphasized his research and effort to get the details right.  Why he didn't cast an African American as the second Marine must have been because he didn't know the second Marine was a black man.  Did no one ask?  Is it possible that Staff Sgt. Karnes didn't recognize race at night among the ash and smoke, or that he didn't then and doesn't now think in terms of race and just never noted it in any account available to the movie's producers.  This doesn't detract from the magnifcence of the film, but it is a very odd bit of background. 

One of the compelling aspects of the film is the simple fact of the vast diversity of America, of the victims of 9/11, and of the heroes of that day and since.  I hope that Sgt. Thomas receives the honor that is his due.