Never Forgotten: Jennifer Lynn Mazzotta

Twenty-eight days from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Jennifer Lynn Mazzotta, born in Ridgewood, Queens, in April 1978, was the oldest of Catherine and Vito Mazzotta's three children. Her sister, Michelle, and her brother, Charles, thereafter arrived to complete the Mazzottas' party of five.  Jennifer was the first person in her family to graduate from college, earning her degree from St. Joseph College in Brooklyn in  2020. 

Shortly after graduation, she began her career at Cantor Fitzgerald. She was at work on the North Tower's 101st Floor when terrorists flew hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 into the building. At the time of her death, she was engaged to Anthony Roman, who was enrolled at the police academy. They were planning on getting married in the Summer of 2002. 

Forever twenty-three. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK  

Never Forgotten: James Andrew O'Grady ("Andy")

Twenty-nine days from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

James Andrew O'Grady, "Andy" to those who knew him best, was thirty-two years old on September 11, 2001.  He was in his office in the South Tower, where he was a Managing Director of fixed-income sales at Sandler O'Neill & Partners when murderous cowards attacked the innocents working at the World Trade Center. 

Andy was a championship swimmer, which prowess earned this Jersey boy an athletic scholarship to UCLA, where he earned four varsity letters, traveled on three occasions to the NCAA Finals, and as a senior served as one of the team's co-captains.   

He lived in Manhattan with his fiance Rachel, to whom he had gotten engaged approximately five weeks before his death. The couple had already set a date - May 4, 2002.  On New Year's Eve 2001, his body was recovered from Ground Zero.  He was laid to rest on January 18, 2002. 

Forever thirty-two. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Monica Goldstein

Less than one month from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten.

Monica Goldstein turned twenty-five just thirty-three days before September 11, 2001. She worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 101st floor in the North Tower.  Monica was a Staten Islander - born in Dongan Hills, which is where she lived in adulthood.  She was the second-born daughter of Cecelia and Sonny Goldstein and little sister to Adrienne. The Goldstein girls were more than sisters.  They were best friends.

Monica spent the night on Monday, September 10, 2001, at Adrienne's apartment.  The sisters had watched a scary movie together. When it was finished, Monica asked Adrienne if she was scared, to which Adrienne responded, "a little." Monica opted to spend the night at her big sister's place. Strength in numbers, you know. 

At the time of her death, Monica Goldstein was engaged to be married. She and Michael Rizzo had already set their date, which was September 20, 2002.  

Forever twenty-five. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY Lt. Vincent Giammona

One month from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten.  

Tuesday, September 11, 2001, was Vincent Giammona’s fortieth birthday. Lieutenant Giammona had served seventeen years in the FDNY, following in the footsteps of his father, Captain Vincent M. Giammona (Ret.).  Lt. Giammona and his wife, Theresa, were the parents of four daughters, all of whom were less than ten years old at the time of his death. 

Lt. Giammona was stationed at Ladder 5 in Greenwich Village. On the final morning of his life, he called home to talk to Theresa. He told his wife he loved her and said goodbye to her before he headed into the maelstrom that was the World Trade Center.  

Forever forty. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Drop the Needle and Play

 

Forty-five years ago today, William P. Kenny, Sr. died. He was roughly six and one half months past his fifty-seventh birthday. Half of his six children were grown and off on their own, plotting their course in the world. Kara, Jill, and I were still home with him and the indomitable Joanie K. 

It was one hell of a way to start the summer.  It one hell of a way to start adulthood. 

Forty-five years.  An eternity and an eye blink.  Same as it ever was.  

-AK

Of Pilgrims and Blockheads

A piece of advice from a little boy with whom I felt an extraordinary kinship when I was a little boy.  Perhaps it was the fact that we each had a large, oversized head. Perhaps it was the fact that we each had difficulty fitting into the world around us.  Charlie Brown was a blockhead. I was epileptic.  

I do not know if being a blockhead ever helped him cut to the front of the hot lunch line on pizza day in grammar school. I do know that having a grand mal seizure sure helped me do it. Considering that I did it while attending St. Paul’s School in Princeton in the early 1970s, I am thankful that I only got pizza and not an exorcism.  

However, wherever, and with whomever you spend this Thanksgiving, enjoy it, make it count, and give thanks…

…for everything.  Happy Thanksgiving.  

-AK 

A Birthday Toast to the Queen of the World

 

Happy Birthday, Shmoop!