The Family Backbone

 

Waleska Martinez - Jersey City, NJ

Photo Credit:  The Martinez Family

Waleska Martinez was, at thirty-seven years old, the backbone of her family.  So said no less of an authority than her dad, Juan Martinez, Jr., and father knows best.   She was the oldest of his four children.  She was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico and moved to the United States in 1987 to begin her career.  In September 2001, she lived in Jersey City, New Jersey with her roommate Angela Lopez, who described her friend and roomie as "so much fun".  

She was also incredibly responsible employee at the United States Census Bureau, for whom she began to work in 1988 as a clerk.  Ten years later, she was promoted to the position of Supervisory Computer Specialist, a position in which she both recruited and trained other computer specialists.  1998 was also the year in which the Census Bureau awarded her its highest honor, the Bronze Medal.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Waleska Martinez and Marion R. Britton boarded United Flight 93 at Newark Airport for the cross-country flight to San Francisco, California to attend a conference.  She had not wanted to go because her mom and brother were visiting from Puerto Rico.   She loved her family, loved to cook Italian food and Spanish food for her family and her friends, loved playing softball and tennis, loved to dance, and loved going to concerts.  In 2001, she and Ms. Lopez went to see Ms. Martinez's favorite singer, Madonna, twice.  At the second concert, Ms. Lopez bought a Drowned World Tour baseball cap, which Ms. Martinez wore to the airport on September 11, 2001.  Ms. Lopez ribbed her friend for having taken her hat.  In the aftermath of the valiant effort the United Flight 93 passengers made to seize control of the jet from the murderous cowards who had hijacked it, Ms. Lopez said she was happy that her friend had something of hers with her.  

United Flight 93 Memorial at Newark Liberty Airport

Photo Credit:  Me

-AK