With Skyward Eyes

Twenty-five years ago, September 11, 2001, was a Tuesday. That morning, shortly after 8:30 AM but before 8:46 AM, I drove into the parking lot at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. I was there that morning to appear at the trial call before the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division, the Hon. Peter Doyne.

As I got ready to turn off my car, exited it, and then walked into the courthouse, the big crisis of the morning was the egg that the Giants had laid on Monday Night Football. They had played in Denver against the Broncos, the first game played in the new Mile High Stadium. It was the first game the Giants had played since getting annihilated by the Ravens in the Super Bowl. Long story short, they looked almost as terrible in Denver in September as they had looked against the Ravens in Tampa in January. 

Within the next two hours, the Giants’ abject failure ceased to exist as a crisis, big, small, or otherwise. I was in Judge Doyne’s chambers with His Honor and my adversary, Pat Little, when the South Tower collapsed. By the time I exited the building and made it back to my car, the North Tower had collapsed, the Pentagon had been attacked, and thanks to the extraordinary determination and grit of the men and women aboard  United Flight 93, it had crashed in Pennsylvania, far short of its presumed destination of Washington, D.C. 

Although I was indoors when all four hijacked airliners crashed on that terrible Tuesday morning, 25 years later, I still reflexively look skyward every time I hear an airplane overhead. It is an involuntary reflex. I have no logical explanation for it otherwise. 

September 11, 2001, serves as the defining moment of my life and, I would imagine, of the life of every other American, who was old enough to experience it, and to understand at least a little, of what had happened. As someone who was not yet born when Pearl Harbor happened or when President Kennedy was assassinated and who was less than 2 1/2 years old when Neil Armstrong set foot on the surface of the moon, September 11, 2001, is inarguably the single, most historically significant day of my life.  

And I am one of the lucky ones. I have family members who had friends murdered that day. I have friends who have family members murdered that day. I lost neither. 

2,977 people were killed on September 11, 2001, including 343 members of the FDNY, 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department, and 23 members of the NYPD. We must never forget, however, the tragedy lies not in the total number of lives lost. It lies in the individual lives lost. Clarence Oddbody said it best in It's A Wonderful Life, "Strange isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" 

September 11, 2001, should never be forgotten because its impact is no less today for the families who lost a wife, a husband, a daughter, a son, a mother, a father, or more than one family member than it was a quarter-century ago. Each of those who were killed touched so many other lives and each left an awful hole. Grief has no expiration date. 

September 11, 2001, should never be forgotten because a quarter-century after those nineteen murderous cowards killed 2,977 innocents, their actions are still killing people. To date, more than 49,000 people have been diagnosed with cancers related to the World Trade Center and approximately 9,000 people have died from 9/11-related illnesses. Both of those figures shall continue to rise. 

Twenty-five years have passed. Yet, the prayer remains the same... 

May your strength give us strength, may your faith give us faith, 

may your hope give us hope, may your love give us love.

May your love give us love. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Christine Anne Olender

Tomorrow 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Christine Anne Olender, thirty-nine, spent the final five years of her all-too-brief life as an Assistant General Manager at Windows on the World, which occupied the 106th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower.  She was loved by those for whom she worked, those with whom she worked, and those who frequented Windows on the World. She was lauded for her creativity and for her upbeat demeanor.  She hung out after work with the kitchen staff and the wait staff, wore a fireman’s hat to blow the whistle for fire drills, and was a go-to person for her bosses. 

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Ms. Olender was at work when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the North Tower by a team of five murderous cowards, impacting the building between its 93rd and 99th floors. The impact severed Stairwells A, B, and C, trapping close to a thousand people. All stairwells were destroyed or blocked between the 93rd and 99th floors. 

She had come in early that morning to help her staff at the annual Risk Waters Group conference, a two-day seminar Windows on the World was hosting. Her work day had been scheduled to begin at 9:00 am. That morning, she arrived shortly after 7:00 am. 

In the face of circumstances that allowed for panic, she did not. Instead she and some of her co-workers organized an evacuation of more than 100 people.  It was not until they tried to lead their group down from the 106th floor that they discovered they could not escape. 

Between 9:01 am and 10:28 am, when the North Tower collapsed, Christine Olender called the Port Authority Police Department four times.  During her first call, she informed the officer to whom she spoke, “We’re getting no direction up here. We need direction as to where we need to direct our guests and our employees as soon as possible.”  He told her, “We’re doing our best. We’ve got the fire department, everybody, we’re trying to get up to you dear.”  He asked her to call him back in two minutes. She did. 

By the time she placed her fourth and final phone call, an already impossible situation had become dire. Smoke was choking the life out of the people stranded on the 106th floor. She told the officer,  “The fresh air is going down fast! I’m not exaggerating.”  He responded, “Ma’am, I know you’re not exaggerating. I have you, Christine, four calls, 75 to 100 people, Windows on the World, 106th floor.”  She then asked him, “Can we break a window?” He told her, “you can do whatever you have to do to get air.”  She simply replied, “All right.”  

On October 10, 2001, her remains were identified and a memorial service was held for her in her adopted hometown, New York City. She was a Chicago native and her family laid her to rest on October 27, 2001, following her funeral mass in Niles, Illinois.  This Fourth of July baby was survived by her mom, dad, older brother, and older sister.  Sadly, by 2021, all four members of her immediate family had died.  

Forever thirty-nine. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Charles “Chuck” Costello, Jr.

Two days from now 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Charles “Chuck” Costello, Jr., forty-six, was an elevator mechanic and on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, his work took him somewhere it did not typically take him, which was Manhattan.  He was working that morning at a hotel in SoHo, roughly twenty blocks north of the World Trade Center, when he learned that American Airlines Flight 11 had slammed into the North Tower.  Immediately, Mr. Costello headed as fast as he could toward the burning tower in an effort to do whatever he could to help those in danger. 

And what a help he was. He volunteered his technical expertise to work alongside the FDNY and NYPD to override controls that had caused the North Tower’s elevators to stall, which trapped their occupants inside of the cars, unable to get out. Mr. Costello’s expertise, his tools, and his muscle manually forcing open jammed doors freed countless people otherwise marked for death.  

Having performed these selfless acts in the North Tower, Mr. Costello could have sought refuge. He did not. Instead he headed into the South Tower to repeat there what he had done in the North Tower.  Again, his courage, his selflessness, and his expertise saved countless people. 

They cost him his life.  He was inside the South Tower when it collapsed at 9:59 am.  On January 5, 2002, his remains were found in an elevator shaft, resting side-by-side with a firefighter and a police officer.  In his pocket were his driver’s license, union card, rosary, and $77.00. 

Mr. Costello lived in Old Bridge, New Jersey, with his wife Mary and their four children, Theresa, Amanda, MaryKate, and Charlie. Charlie, just six when his father was killed, has followed in the footsteps of his dad, dubbed “The Elevator Man” by the first responders with whom he worked on the final morning on his life. Charlie is an elevator mechanic - and also a volunteer firefighter. 

Forever forty-six. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY Lt. Kevin Dowdell

Three days from now 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Kevin Dowdell, forty-six, was a Lieutenant in the FDNY assigned to Rescue 4 in Queens. Lt. Dowdell so loved doing what he did and the firefighters with whom he did it that he chose never to seek a promotion to Captain, since the promotion would necessitate a transfer out of Rescue 4.  He and his wife, RoseEllen, to whom he had been married for twenty-one years, were the proud parents of two sons, Patrick and James. 

Lt. Dowdell was a "family first" man. He worked a second job to help ensure that he could provide a quality education for his sons and provide a comfortable life for his family.  When he was not working, he enjoyed surfing with Patrick and James. He also enjoyed a nice evening out with his bride.  Prior to joining the FDNY in 1981, Kevin Dowdell had been an NYPD Police Officer. During his twenty years in the FDNY, he earned numerous citations. He and Rescue 4 responded to the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing and to the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing.  On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, he did what he did when others were in grave danger - he headed into the threat with all due speed to save as many as he could.  

Lt. Kevin Dowdell was killed at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, saving innocents. His remains were never recovered. However, his tools, which he had engraved with his initials and "R4", were found in the rubble of the South Tower.  His sons, Patrick and James, followed their father's footsteps. James, a high school senior in September 2001, graduated from the FDNY Academy in 2006. He was promoted to Lieutenant on what would have been his father's 70th birthday. Upon his promotion to Lieutenant, Lt. James Dowdell was given his father's Lieutenant badge. Patrick, who was a freshman at Iona College in September 2001, re-applied to West Point and was accepted. He graduated from West Point in 2006. After graduation he served a tour in Iraq and a tour in Afghanistan. 

Forever forty-six.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Honor Elizabeth Wainio

Four days from now 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Honor Elizabeth Wainio, twenty-seven, was less than one month away from her twenty-eighth birthday when she boarded United Airlines Flight 93 on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001.  Having returned from a European trip that included time spent in Italy and in Paris two days earlier, she was headed to California for a company-wide business meeting.  She worked for Discovery Channel Stores as its District Manager for New York and New Jersey. 

After the hijackers took Flight 93, Honor Elizabeth Wainio called her stepmother. During that final phone call with a member of her family, Honor Wainio told her stepmother, "They are getting ready to break into the cockpit. I have to go. I love you. Good-bye."  Ms. Wainio graduated from Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland in 1995. Her family created a scholarship in her honor, the Honor Elizabeth Wainio '95 Memorial Communications Scholarship. Since 2004, the Scholarship has awarded more than $300,000 to forty-four students in Towson's College of Fine Arts & Communications, enabling those students to pursue their dreams...just as Honor Elizabeth Wainio had pursued hers. 

Forever twenty-seven.  Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY FF Michael Cammarata

Five 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Three hundred forty three members of the FDNY died on September 11, 2001, saving innocents at the World Trade Center.  The youngest of the 343 was Probationary Firefighter Michael Cammarata, just twenty-two. He was stationed at Engine 28/Ladder 11, on the lower East Side of Manhattan. On September 11, 2001, he was in the ninth week of his fourteen-week probationary assignment. He and his brother, Joe, older than Michael by fifteen months, had taken the FDNY test in the Summer of 1999. Michael attained a perfect score. Joe answered one question incorrectly. 

Before heading to the World Trade Center with Ladder 11 on that terrible Tuesday morning, Michael called home and left a message on his father's voice mail. "I am going to the World Trade Center. A plane just hit it. Just tell everyone I am all right."

In 1991, Michael was a star on the Staten Island, New York Little League team that played its way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In 2006, Michael's No. 11 became the first number ever retired in Williamsport. Twenty years later, it remains the only retired number. 

His body was never recovered. However, in the days after September 11, while his family was searching the house for something of Michael's to provide to the FDNY with his DNA as it assembled its forensic database, his mom came upon a tri-folded piece of computer paper on his nightstand that Michael had labeled "If anything was ever to happen to me", on which he had written a list of four items: (1) Take care of Jenna (his girlfriend); (2) Don't mourn as this is the career I chose; (3) Make my spirit live on; and (4) Remember I love you all and will be waiting for you upstairs.  He signed it, "Michael Cammarata Shield #1138".   

Forever twenty-two. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Lauren Grandcolas

Six 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Lauren Grandcolas, eleven days after turning thirty-eight, woke up on the East Coast on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, with just one goal in mind:  Getting home.  She lived in San Rafael, California with her husband, Jack.  Born in Bloomington, Indiana, this Hoosier was a Longhorn.  She earned her degree from the University of Texas-Austin. It was there where she and Jack first met. She was three months pregnant with the couple's first child. She had recently left her position at Good Housekeeping magazine so she could focus her energy on writing a book intended to inspire women to follow their dreams.  

She had been in New Jersey for her grandmother's funeral.  On what proved to be the final morning of her life, she arrived at Newark Airport earlier than expected. So early in fact that instead of waiting around for the flight she had been scheduled to take, she took a seat on United's 8:00 am flight from Newark to San Francisco. She called Jack, who was still asleep in California (where it was not yet 5:00 am), and left a message for him on their answering machine, letting him know she would be home earlier than expected. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the 8:00 am United Airlines flight from Newark to San Francisco was United Flight 93.  

At 9:39:21 am, after Flight 93 had been hijacked, Lauren Grandcolas demonstrated the grace under pressure that those who she loved and who loved her most of all said had been a hallmark of her life.  She called Jack, leaving another message on their answering machine, "Jack, pick up sweetie, can you hear me? Okay. I just want to tell you, there's a little problem with the plane. I'm fine. I'm totally fine. I just want to tell you how much I love you."

Although Lauren Grandcolas died before she could complete her book, her sisters did. They published You Can Do It: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls. 

Forever thirty-eight. Forever loved. Forever remembered.

-AK

Never Forgotten: Betty Ong

One week from now 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Betty Ong, forty-five, worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines for fourteen years. She was based at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts.  On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, she was working American Airlines Flight 11, which was bound for Los Angeles, California, and which of course never came anywhere close to reaching its destination. 

Betty Ong is considered by many as the first hero of September 11. Rightly so.  Flight 11 was hijacked shortly after takeoff.  Betty Ong was the person on-board who first reported the hijacking to someone on the ground.  She telephoned American Airlines reservations agents in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and alerted them what had happened and what was happening on the plane. Under impossible circumstances, she remained calm, cool, and collected. During a twenty-three-minute call, she provided information that not only alerted people not flying on Flight 11 that America was under attack, but also helped inform the decision to shut down America's skies.  

Forever forty-five.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK  

Never Forgotten: Peter Teague Milano

Eight days from now 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Peter Teague Milano, forty-three years old, was at his desk on the 104th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001.  Mr. Milano worked at Cantor Fitzgerald as a corporate bond broker. Tragically, when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the North Tower, he and his Cantor Fitzgerald colleagues were trapped above the impact zone and unable to escape. 

He and his wife, Patti, were the proud parents of two children, Peter Jr. and Jessica, who were sixteen and thirteen respectively at the time of his death. The Milanos lived in Middletown Township, New Jersey.   

Forever forty-three.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK  

Never Forgotten: FDNY FF Gary P. Geidel

Nine days from now 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

FDNY Firefighter Gary P. Geidel, forty-four years old, was approaching his 20th anniversary as a member of the FDNY.  Retirement was weeks way. He was assigned to Rescue 1 in Midtown Manhattan. On September 11, 2001, he was working overtime. His wife, Mathilda, reported that his quest was to buy a white farmhouse on three acres of land in Greenville, N.Y., where he, Mathilda, and their daughter, Mathilda Charlotte, were going to live when FF Geidel retired. Tragically, he never had the chance to retire. On that terrible Tuesday morning, he gave his life saving innocents at the World Trade Center.  

Prior to joining the FDNY, Gary Geidel served his nation as a United States Marine.  Upon his discharge from the Corps following his four-year hitch, he joined the FDNY.  

Forever forty-four.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK  

Never Forgotten: FDNY Lt. Joseph G. Leavey

Ten days from now 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Joseph G. Leavey, forty-five years old, grew up in the Inwood section of Manhattan. He attended high school at Lew Alcindor's Alma Mater, Power Memorial Academy, where he was the class valedictorian in 1973. After high school, he earned his degree from Manhattan College's School of Engineering and after graduation in 1977, he pursued a career in civil engineering. 

As a child, he had aspired to become a member of the FDNY. In 1982, he realized his childhood dream. He was initially assigned to Engine 23 and then Ladder 4 in Midtown Manhattan. In February 1998, he was promoted to Lieutenant. Lt. Leavey then was assigned to Ladder 15 in Lower Manhattan. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, he was among the first members of the FDNY to respond to the World Trade Center.  He died there rescuing innocents. 

Lt. Leavey lived in Pelham, New York, with his wife, Carole, and the couple's two children, Brian and Caitlin, who were sixteen and ten respectively at the time of his death. His stepdaughter, Kerri, who was twenty-six at the time of his death, lived in Manhattan. Kerri had gotten married on September 9, 2000. Lt. Leavey proudly performed the role of giving her away.  

Forever forty-five.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY FF Michael Paul Ragusa

Eleven 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. 

Michael Paul Ragusa, twenty-nine years old, spent seven years on the waiting list before joining the FDNY in 1999. He was assigned to Engine Company 250 in Brooklyn. On September 11, 2001, he responded to the World Trade Center with Engine Company 279, from Red Hook, Brooklyn. He was killed while saving innocents. 

FF Ragusa was one of 343 FDNY firefighters killed on September 11, 2001.  On September 8, 2003, he was the final one of the 343 to be laid to rest. 

Forever twenty-nine.  Forever loved.  Forever appreciated.

-AK

Never Forgotten: Joseph J. Pycior, Jr.

Twelve 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. 

Joseph J. Pycior, Jr., thirty-nine years old, spent approximately half of his life serving this nation as a member of the United States Navy.  He served on the aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, and was a veteran of Desert Storm.  For him, the United States Navy was the family business. His uncle, his father, and his grandfather were all Navy veterans.   

On the morning of September 11, 2001, he was working at the Pentagon. He was an Aviation Warfare Systems Operator, First Class.  His Navy career was nearing its end.  He was just months away from retirement, at which time he was ready to begin his new career teaching history to middle school students. He and his wife, Terri, had two sons, Joseph, III, and Robbie. 

Forever thirty-nine.  Forever loved.  Forever appreciated. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Catherine Fairfax MacRae

Thirteen 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 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. 

Catherine Fairfax MacRae, twenty-three years old, graduated from Princeton University in 2000 with her Bachelor's degree in Economics.  After graduation, she began her career at Fred Alger Management as a research analyst.  She was in her office on the 93rd floor of the North Tower on September 11, 2001, when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the building.   

At the time of her death, Catherine Fairfax MacRae was dating Andrew Caspersen, who was attending law school at Harvard University.  She was survived by her parents, Cameron and Ann, and her younger sister, Annie.  

Forever twenty-three.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK

Never Forgotten: Christine Ann Snyder

Two weeks 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 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. 

Christine Ann Snyder, thirty-two years old, lived in Kailua, Hawaii.  She graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and had, in June 2001, married her high-school sweetheart, Ian Pescaia.  

She worked for the final six years of her life for The Outdoor Circle, one of Hawaii's oldest non-profit environmental organizations, as a certified arborist and project manager for landscapes and planting.  On the morning of September 11, 2001, she was a passenger on United Flight 93, beginning the long journey home following what had been an impromptu first-time visit to New York City.  She had been on the East Coast attending the American Forestry Conference in Washington, D.C.  Among the attractions she had visited on Monday, September 10, 2001, was the World Trade Center.  

Forever thirty-two.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY FF Joseph Hunter

Fifteen days from now 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Joseph Gerard Hunter, thirty-one years old, was just eighteen days shy of his thirty-second birthday when he was killed at the World Trade Center while saving others on September 11, 2001.  At the age of 18, he joined the South Hempstead Volunteer Fire Department.  In 1994, he graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. 

He joined the FDNY in 1996.  He was assigned to Squad 288 in Maspeth, Queens.  He was one of six members of Squad 288 inside the South Tower rescuing civilians when the building collapsed.  His helmet was found in the rubble of Ground Zero. It is now displayed in the National September 11 Museum. 

Forever thirty-one.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Roko Camaj

Sixteen days from now 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. 

Roko Camaj, sixty years old, had worked for ABM Industries since 1973, as a window washer at the World Trade Center. His domain was the upper floors of the South Tower, on which the windows were made from wider panes of glass to provide expansive views fromm the observation deck, which required the windows be washed by hand.  "It's just me and the sky.  I don't bother anybody and nobody bothers me." 

He came to the United States from Montenegro in 1969.  He lived with his wife, Katrina, in Manhasset, Long Island.  The Camajs were the proud parents of three grown children.  

Forever sixty. Forever loved. Forever remembered.

-AK

Never Forgotten: NYPD Officer John D'Allara, ESU 2

Seventeen days from now 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. 

John D'Allara, forty-seven years old, was accepted to the Police Academy in January 1983. He graduated from the Academy in June 1983. He was a police officer for slightly more than eighteen years. He spent the first four years of his career at the 46th Precinct, Bronx Task Force. For the final fourteen years of his career, he was a member of one of the NYPD's elite Emergency Services Units, ESU 2, which operated out of Harlem.  

Officer D'Allara and his wife, Carol, were the proud parents of two sons, John and Nicholas, who were seven and two years old respectively when Officer D'Allara was killed on September 11, 2001, in the collapse of the North Tower.  I recommend that between now and September 11, you invest the time to watch National Geographic's three-part series, 9/11 Reunited. Episode Three features the story of how Officer D'allara and FDNY Firefighter Bill Spade from Rescue 5 in Staten Island worked together to get a stuck door open, which saved the lives of almost two dozen people.  Officer D'Allara's two sons have followed their father's path into public service.  John is a reservist in the United States Marine Corps and Nicholas is an NPYD Police Officer, wearing his father's badge and working in his father's first precinct, the 46th in the Bronx. 

Forever forty-seven. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

Never Forgotten: FDNY FF David Weiss

Eighteen days from now 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. 

David Weiss, forty-one, had been a member of the FDNY for thirteen years. For the final six years of his FDNY career, he was a member of Rescue 1.  On September 11, 2001, FF Weiss was among the eleven members of Rescue 1 who responded to the World Trade Center. All eleven of them died there.  FF Weiss had two children, both of whom were teenagers when their father gave his life so others might live on September 11, 2001. 

Forever forty-one. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Deborah Kobus

Nineteen days from now 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. 

Deborah Kobus, thirty-six, at the end of the 2000-2001 Colorado ski season, had returned to New York from Aspen where she had worked at the St. Regis Hotel, to help her brother, Robert, care for their mother, who had Alzheimer's Disease. Shortly after she returned to New York, she got a job on Wall Street, as a Vice President at Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking Company. She was in her office on the 83rd floor of the South Tower when hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 was flown into the building. 

On Labor Day, 2001, Deborah Kobus had become engaged to Alexander Setzler. The couple met in Aspen, Colorado, when she began working at the St. Regis.   

Forever thirty-six. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Paul Joseph Simon

Twenty days from now 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. 

Paul Joseph Simon ran a computer consulting firm, DAU Systems. On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, he was visiting a client, Marsh & McLennan, on the 97th floor of the North Tower when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 was deliberately flown into the building.  He and his wife, Shelley, had been married for thirty-one years at the time of his death. They had been together for forty years, when they were teenagers in the Catskills. They lived in Staten Island, New York, and had a summer home on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, in Beach Haven. 

Forever fifty-four. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Robert Hayes

Twenty-one days from today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Robert Hayes was a Massachusetts man. He was born in Medford and at the time of his death, he lived in Amesbury with his wife, Debbie, and their two small children, Robbie and Ryan, who were just four years old and eight months old respectively on the day their father was murdered. He and Debbie met at Logan Airport in 1989.  He had missed his flight and she was the customer services agent for TWA who rebooked him. She said that after he returned from trip, he became a regular caller to her at the ticket counter - and not because he needed to book a flight. 

He worked for the Swiss firm, Netstal Machinery, and on that Tuesday morning a quarter-century ago, he boarded American Airlines Flight 11 at Boston's Logan Airport, bound for a bueiness meeting in Los Angeles.  

Forever thirty-seven. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK

Never Forgotten: Mirna Duarte

Twenty-three days from today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Mirna Duarte, thirty years of age, was a native of Honduras. At the time of her death, she lived in Richmond Hills, Queens. She worked as a consultant at Marsh & McLennan and was in her office in the North Tower of the World Trade Center when the murderous cowards who hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 deliberately crashed it into the building. 

At the time of her death, Mirna Duarte was engaged to be married to her boyfriend, Randy.  Tragically, they were deprived of the opportunity to exchange vows and to live the life they had imagined together. 

Forever thirty. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY Lt. David Halderman

Twenty-three days from today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

The FDNY was part of David Halderman's DNA.  His father retired following a thirty-year career in the FDNY. His brother, Michael, retired from the FDNY as a Deputy Chief.  Tragically, Lt. Halderman's father died in August 2001, just six days after Lt. Halderman's fortieth birthday.  A nine-year veteran of the FDNY, Lt. Halderman was part of Squad 18 in Manhattan. On September 11, he was one of the valiant first responders who sacrificed his own life so that others could live.  He was one of four siblings.  

When he died on September 11, 2001, FF Halderman was on the list to be promoted to Lieutenant. Following his death, the FDNY honored his life and his legacy by posthumously awarding him the promotion. 

Forever forty. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK

Never Forgotten: FDNY Firefighter Leon Smith, Jr.

Twenty-four 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Leon Smith, Jr. was a FDNY firefighter, stationed at Ladder 118 in Brooklyn Heights. He was the "Chauffeur" - the driver. One of the lasting images of September 11, 2001, is the photograph Aaron McLamb took that morning from his apartment window, which captured Ladder 118 racing across the Brooklyn Bridge towards the Twin Towers, both of which were already engulfed in flame and black smoke. Leon Smith, Jr. and all five of his brothers from Ladder 118 who rode with him that morning were killed while saving innocents. 

FF Smith joined the FDNY on February 27, 1982. Among those he loved who had to bid him farewell far too soon were his mother, his wife, and his daughters.   

Forever forty-eight. Forever loved. Forever remembered.  

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Daniel M. Lewin

Twenty-five 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 that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Daniel M. Lewin, thirty-one years of age, founded Akamai Technologies in 1998 with one of his MIT professors and with one of his fellow MIT students. In less than three years, it had grown into one of the world's top technology companies.  Mr. Lewin lived in the Boston area with his wife Anne and the couple's two sons, Eitan and Itamar. 

Born in Denver, Colorado, he moved to Israel with his parents in 1983. Upon his high school graduation, he served for four years in the Israel Defense Forces, where he rose to the rank of Captain. On the morning of September 11, 2001, he was seated near three of the hijackers in first-class on American Airlines Flight 11. He is widely believed to have been the first victim killed on September 11 - stabbed to death by one of Flight 11's hijackers when he rose up against them and tried to prevent the hijacking.  

Forever thirty-one. Forever loved. Forever remembered.  

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY Lt. Christopher Sullivan

Less than four weeks 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. 

Christopher Sullivan was born in Manhattan in late July 1962. It is not, however, where he and Dolores, who was his high school sweetheart before she became his wife, lived and where they raised their two sons, Sean and his little brother, Brian. North Massapequa, Long Island, is where the Sullivans called home. Sean was only six when he father was killed while saving others at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Brian was just four. 

Christopher Sullivan was a Lieutenant in the FDNY. He had joined the FDNY in August 1986, after having first served the public as a corrections officer in the Nassau County Sheriff's Department and, then, as an officer in the NYPD.  Once he joined the FDNY, his initial posting was Engine 82, Ladder 31 in the Bronx. Once he was promoted to Lieutenant, he transferred to Engine 214, Ladder 111 in Brooklyn. He was last seen on the morning of September 11, 2001, heading up the stairs in the North Tower with the men of Engine 214, looking for people to help. 

Forever thirty-nine. Forever loved. Forever remembered.

-AK

Never Forgotten: Edna Cintron

Twenty-seven 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. 

Edna Cintron, forty-six, worked as an Administrative Assistant for Marsh and McLennan on the 93rd Floor in the North Tower. She and her husband, William, had been married for twelve years at the time of death. The couple lived in East Elmhurst, Queens. 

Incredibly, and tragically, Edna Cintron survived the impact of American Airlines Flight 11 smashing into the North Tower.  The last photograph taken of her was taken after the North Tower had been struck but before its collapse. She was there - on the building's edge - pleading for help she likely knew in her heart was not going to come.  Although the South Tower was struck after the North Tower was, the South Tower was the first of the two to collapse. Shortly before it did, Edna Cintron was seen falling from the North Tower. 

Forever forty-six. Forever loved. Forever remembered.

-AK

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