The 9/11 Memorial and Museum's web site informs its visitors of the sad fact that almost 3,000 names are inscribed on the Memorial's panels. In a better world, it would not exist for its existence would be unnecessary. Far too many times a day we confront reminders of the fact that the world we occupy is the best world we have but it is by no means a better one. If you have never been to lower Manhattan to visit the 9/11 Memorial or Museum then might I commend either or both to you. It is an experience that stays with you long after your visit has ended.
Igor Zukelman holds the distinction of being the last name, alphabetically, inscribed on the Memorial. His name is located on Panel 43 around the South Pool. At the time of his death on September 11, 2001, Igor Zukelman was just twenty-nine years old. He had come to America from Ukraine in 1992. Within his first decade in the United States, he married, became a father (his son Allan was just three when Mr. Zukelman died), and became a United States citizen, which he did in 2001, just a few short months before his death.
He worked for Fiduciary Trust Company, which had its offices on the South Tower's 97th floor. When hijackers flew United Airlines 175 into the southwest face of the South Tower at 9:03 a.m., an impact hole spanning from the 78th floor to the 84th floor was created. Only a very small number of people at work on the South Tower's floors above the plane's point of impact survived.
Sadly, Igor Zukelman did not. May his memory live far longer than this young man had the chance to do.
Igor Zukelman
-AK
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