Friday, August 19, 2022

The Gentle Giant

Middlesex Borough
September 11 Memorial


Richard B. Madden was only thirty-five years old when he was murdered on September 11, 2001.  Knowing that his situation was hopeless, in the final minutes of his life he called home to Westfield, New Jersey to speak to his wife, Maura, and the couple's nineteen-month-old daughter, Patricia.  He told her his situation and that he loved her.  It was the last conversation the couple ever had.  

He worked on the 100th floor of the South Tower for Aon Corp. as an insurance broker.  He graduated from New York Law School after he earned his Bachelor's Degree at Denison University.  He loved his wife.  He loved his little girl. 

And it was that love that helped bring him home.

At the time he died, Richard Madden was wearing his wedding ring into which Maura had inscribed, "Rich, all my love, Maura."  When his body was recovered from the rubble, it was those five words that identifed him.  

Five words that expressed a sentiment as true in the final moments of Richard's life as it was at the moment Maura had them inscribed on the ring.  


-AK






 

No comments:

Post a Comment