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Bury Me in a Dirty Suit: Discovering Man’s Valiant Purpose in the Aftermath of 9/11
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Secret Service agent Darin Kinder was near the base of the South Tower when it began to collapse. What followed was a harrowing fight for survival—one that revealed the true meaning of courage, sacrifice, and calling.
Bury Me in a Dirty Suit is a gripping eyewitness account of 9/11 and a heartfelt exploration of what it means to live with a valiant purpose. With honesty and humility, Kinder recounts the chaos and trauma of that day, the resilience of the human spirit, and the sustaining power of faith in the darkest hour. Through personal reflection and biblical insight, he invites readers to consider their own missions, their own "why," and challenges men especially to answer God’s call, step up, and fight back against the darkness.
More than a memoir, Bury Me in a Dirty Suit is a rallying cry for men to live boldly—for others and for God.
Bury Me in a Dirty Suit is a gripping eyewitness account of 9/11 and a heartfelt exploration of what it means to live with a valiant purpose. With honesty and humility, Kinder recounts the chaos and trauma of that day, the resilience of the human spirit, and the sustaining power of faith in the darkest hour. Through personal reflection and biblical insight, he invites readers to consider their own missions, their own "why," and challenges men especially to answer God’s call, step up, and fight back against the darkness.
More than a memoir, Bury Me in a Dirty Suit is a rallying cry for men to live boldly—for others and for God.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2025
10 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 4, 2025
Wow! Powerful book for men. Geared to helping men find their God-given purpose in life but also good guiding principles for women. Excellent!
September 13, 2025
I have the privilege of being loosely acquainted with Darin through Camp Gladiator. I knew he worked as a secret service agent in some capacity, but had no idea that he was literal boots on Ground Zero during 9/11. It was powerful and humbling, to say the least, to learn this part of his story, and to imagine him telling it. I won’t soon forget it.
Some favorite highlights:
-“At that time in his life, he was doing everything he could do to get rid of darkness in his life. He equates it to entering a dark room, opening a window, and trying to shovel out the darkness from the room. It doesn’t work that way. In order to see in a dark room, you have to let in the Light.”
-Citizen vs. civilians (pgs 79-80)
-In the context of this passage (2 Tim 1:7), the Greek word for timidity denoted “shameful fear,” typically rooted in “selfish character.”
-“Mission first!” (Say to self to cast out fear/speak truth to lies)
-“The Israelites saw a giant so big he couldn’t be beat. David saw a giant so big he couldn’t miss.” It’s all about perspective.
-“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” US Army General George Patton
-“The enemy’s first move is to take you out of the fight before you enter the fray.”
-John MacArthur: “the man of God is known by what he flees from, follows after, fights for, and is faithful to.”
-Teddy Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Some favorite highlights:
-“At that time in his life, he was doing everything he could do to get rid of darkness in his life. He equates it to entering a dark room, opening a window, and trying to shovel out the darkness from the room. It doesn’t work that way. In order to see in a dark room, you have to let in the Light.”
-Citizen vs. civilians (pgs 79-80)
-In the context of this passage (2 Tim 1:7), the Greek word for timidity denoted “shameful fear,” typically rooted in “selfish character.”
-“Mission first!” (Say to self to cast out fear/speak truth to lies)
-“The Israelites saw a giant so big he couldn’t be beat. David saw a giant so big he couldn’t miss.” It’s all about perspective.
-“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” US Army General George Patton
-“The enemy’s first move is to take you out of the fight before you enter the fray.”
-John MacArthur: “the man of God is known by what he flees from, follows after, fights for, and is faithful to.”
-Teddy Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
August 18, 2025
With his book BURY ME IN A DIRTY SUIT, Darin Kinder accomplishes an amazing feat: in the midst of despair and darkness, he finds hope and light. The story of his experience at Ground Zero on 9/11 is riveting, honest, and recounted with an uncommon humility. As he takes his readers through his journey step by step, he pauses to present tangible lessons of faith generated along the way. After years of reflecting on these traumatic events through the lens of his Christian faith, the counsel he shares is genuine, Biblically sound, and inspirational. He passionately and clearly delivers a challenge to Christians but does so with love and, at times, humor. The metaphor of the “dirty suit” is a moving and powerful image that will deeply resonate in the hearts and minds of anyone who reads this book.
August 18, 2025
Darin Kinder's new book, Bury Me in a Dirty Suit, is a feel-like-you're-there telling of his 9-11 survival and rescue efforts of many! His survival alone is miraculous as he had to sprint from BOTH towers crushing him, all in between risky and courageous rescue efforts of others. The timing of the book is perfect as over 20 years of the gelling and living out of the spiritual lessons he shares has made them incredibly rich! If you're a man aspiring to be all the Lord wants you to be, or a wife, sister, mother or grandmom who wants to influence a man - this book will open your eyes to God's purposes in each person's life. Highly, highly recommend!!
September 12, 2025
After reviewing the summary, I had some reservations about whether the book would truly resonate with me. In all honesty, most of us are unlikely to encounter a traumatic event akin to September 11, 2001. However, Mr. Kinder does an exceptional job of connecting his heroic experience to our daily lives through his compelling narrative about finding one’s purpose through faithfulness.
While the book appears to be directed towards a male audience, its universal themes and deep insights make it an engaging read to anyone interested in a higher calling, regardless of gender.
While the book appears to be directed towards a male audience, its universal themes and deep insights make it an engaging read to anyone interested in a higher calling, regardless of gender.
August 11, 2025
This book is well written and entertaining from start to finish! The stories that Darin Kinder recounts of his experience on 9/11 are moving and give great perspective of what it was like at Ground Zero But far more lasting are the lessons, encouragement and wisdom he shares! Would highly recommend for anyone. I think this would make a great small group or Bible study book, especially for men of any age!
August 18, 2025
The account of Darin’s experience of faith and sacrifice on 9/11 is truly amazing to read. His impact then and still today is a message we need to hear. You will be encouraged and inspired in your personal walk with God. This is a great book for Christian small groups. Highly recommend!
October 29, 2025
Easy read full of experience of the author. A must read for men.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews