Go to the link below and read several portraits and comment on something you found memorable. Do not repeat persons viewed/commented on by previous students. For full credit post by Monday June 7.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/newyorkandregion/series/portraits_of_grief/index.html
33 comments:
Rahma Salie and Michael Theodoridis:Almost Parents
They were going to be married in California and were flying out of Boston when the plane was hijacked. Rahma was seven months pregnant. I wondered if it happened too fast to understand what was going on or if they were able to comfort each other. :-(
Did the terrorist understand the extent of their damage when they planned this attack? This is a question I often as myself when thinking about the 9/11 attack. Of course they wanted to strike “terror” into the eyes of Americans, but how can they over look the innocent lives they took. While looking through these portraits I saw an underlying similarity that had to do with family. All the casualties did not only affect the individuals that lost their lives, but their families, friends, and communities too. When I started, I looked for a portrait with a last name of Morehouse and found Lindsay Morehouse. Lindsay was an archetype or spirit of New York because she was young, lively, and still had a lot ahead of her in life. She lived in an apartment and had healthy relationships with her mom and friends. In my mind I just thought, wow, she still had her entire life ahead of her, but it was unfairly cut short.
Yes the terrorist created terror, but now Americans are stronger and have a larger sense of nationalism. So back to the original question, I do not believe the terrorist completely comprehended the implications from their actions and just how many lives they would be affecting (20% of Americans personally knew a causality). What drives these individuals to commit such an act, killing innocent citizens such as Lindsay, I just can’t understand.
Adam M.
Class 7
Kevin Smith: Born to Serve
Kevin Smith spent his life as a man who was dedicated to serve his country. He was a boy scout, a marine, and then a volunteer fire fighter. His wife said that "He just had this desire to serve." On the morning of 9/11, Kevin called his wife to tell her that his life's work had all come together on this day. Mr. Smith's whole family is dedicated to serving our country. His wife is an EMT and his children are police, fire fighters, and soldiers. It is almost shocking to see a family of only service men and women. What would it be like lo live life knowing that any one of your relatives may die on the job on any given day? I can see why they are so proud of each other.
Patrick B. Class 3.
Dianne Bullis Snyder: A Wife, a Mother, a Doer
it is just heartbreaking when you read stories about people that died on that day. Dianne was ready to go back to school and get her life together and her life just ends right there and then. what would happen if she was still alive today? she could be there for her two children, she could have gone back to school, earned a degree, and kept the family out of struggle for money, not having dad being the only one bringing home the money. its unfair what terrorists did that day, and it will never be forgotten. so many different people were affected that day. its absolutely terrible.
ricky g.
p.7
It's sad to think that with just one death involved in one event, many other people connected with that life die too. Of course, they don't literally die, but a person who was a part of their lives to such a huge extent suddenly dissapears, leaving them with a void and empty feeling inside. I came to this realization when I read the portrait for John P. Salamone. His wife, Mary Ellen, described how this void affected her kids. John always went trick-or-treating with his kids on Halloween. That year, he wasn't there. He took them to hockey games regularly. When the boys had to go to the bathroom during a game their mother took them to, they realized that their father wasn't there to go with them. He also used to coach his kids' soccer team. During their next few soccer games, his kids looked on the sidelines and did not see their dad cheering for them any longer. I think the devastation of John's death for his family is self-explanatory. Just by seeing portraits like these and seeing the massive number of loving and innocent people who died in the 9-11 attacks reveals to me the hate that consumes our world. Why must we hate so much? Where did this intense hatred come from? I simply cannot understand it.
-Anne M. Class 3
Godwin Ajala: An American Family Dream
Godwin Ajala was a lawyer in Nigeria for several years, but he gave up his career as a lawyer to immigrate to American in 1995. Due to financial crisis, he was forced to leave Nigeria without his wife and children. Ajala found a job as a security guard at the World Trade Center after settling in, but he still had a passion for law and thus studied it six to eight hours a day with the hopes of becoming an American lawyer. In September of 2001, Ajala planned to travel back to Nigeria to bring his family to America and complete his dream of having his family see him become an American lawyer. Unfortunately, he passed away on September 11th and was last seen helping workers escape the building.
I found Ajala's story memorable for two reasons. The first is that the story shows the many implications of the terrorist attacks and the worldwide impacts of them. Also the attack was meant to crush the American economy and morale, as seen in this story, the attacks affected people all over the world. If it were not for the attack, the children in Nigeria would have immigrated to America and seen their father for the first time in years. The fact that so many casualties were involved in the terrorist attacks explain why it had such a global impact. When so many deaths are involved, it is impossible for the implications to remain isolated in their target country (America, in this case).
The other reason why this story was so memorable was because Ajala was so close to accomplishing the dream that he devoted his life to. Terrorists attacks similar to that of September 11th are so devastating because they are completely indiscriminating. They do not show mercy for those who work hard or have lived honorable lives- they are based solely on luck. In reality, all of Ajala's hard work was nullified by desires to kill innocent citizens.
Drew Robinson
Class 3
Zhe Zeng: 'Completely Selfless Person'
Zhe Zeng, a project manager for American depositary receipts at the Bank of New York and a certified emergency medical technician, was just leaving the subway when the first plane struck the north tower, and although he could have just stared in awe at the destruction or even ran away, he did not. Instead he ran to his office, grabbed some supplies and plunged into the carnage. At one point a camera got a shot of him still in his business suit, aiding an injured person. It is very amazing that even though it wasn't his job, Zeng still went to the towers to help those in need of assistance. This to me really stuck out because I had thought that it was really just firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who had gone in to help, but to my surprise a few people who just wanted to help ran in as well and gave their lives to save the lives of others. I thought that the shot of him helping someone when he was in his business suit really showed how ordinary people came together to help. This is a very inspirational story and shows how brave individuals can rise up even in times of unimaginable destruction.
Rhonda Ridge Rasmussen: Reading Harry Potter Aloud
This particular article struck me as memorable. Rhonda Rasmussen was a particularly kind and benevolent woman who read to her husband every night. Her husband has bad eyesight and can't read very well, so she reads to him each and every night. She was just beginning a new Harry Potter book in the series the night before she was killed in the crash at the Pentagon. This struck me as particularly memorable because it showed me just how quickly a kindhearted life can end. Because of the attack, and because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, her life ended. To me, this just isn't fair to Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen. I believe in rewarding the good and punishing the evil, but there's no reason to punish good people that work hard each day and even read to their husbands at night.
This grief portrait showed me, like Adam, that these attacks did not just kill the individuals, but they also affected their family and friends. Now, her husband may never be able to finish that book because of his poor eyesight, and he can never listen to her reading to him ever again. The article mentioned Mr. Rasmussen was going to move out west now because "There aren't as many sad memories as there are here." He plans to move back to California, where the couple met in 1973. It's heartbreaking to hear these kinds of stories, and I think our country would've been much better off without these attacks on the people.
Frederick Varacchi: Teeing Off at 6 a.m.
From his portrait, Frederick seems like an awesome guy. A great husband, friend, and parent. this is obvious not only from the examples of how he was an outgoing person throughout the portrait, but by the simple fact that despite his high position as president of eSpeed Inc. he is still remembered as a family man rather than a businessman.
I believe that what the terrorists did on 9/11 was purely intentional. while planning the attack, they picked a target that they hoped would both strike fear into the hearts of Americans, destroy a symbol of our wealth, and kill as many of the hated Americans as possible at the same time. They surely savored every moment of pure horror depicted by the numerous videos of that day, with people screaming and crying as the buildings collapsed. And the reason for this is that they have a hatred for us that we cannot comprehend. what we feel for them is a deep urge for revenge, but they hate America on a basic, morale level, which makes their passion all the more heated. that is the reason that, after 8 years of war, they continue to plot terror attacks against us and our armed forces, and why now, with 9/11 a distant memory in the minds of many Americans, our resolve falters.
These stories are def. tear-jerkers and really do make you realize just how many different people were affected by 9/11. Adam Rand, a N.Y. firefighter since 1995 (at the age of 30) was someone who loved his job almost more than anything in the world. His favorite part about his job was rescuing people rather than the actual fires. He was only weeks away from his wedding when he passed away on 9/11 when inside the world trade center (that got hit 2nd)evacuating people out of the building. I couldn't imagine my fiance or anyone I knew of getting killed like that on 9/11. Like Adam said I wonder if the terrorists knew the extent of people they were about to kill or affect? Because they def. caused a world wide tragedy.
Ale F.
Period: 7
Clinton Davis: Father, Model and Hero
Clinton Davis was a policeman who died while he helped people to escape in the north tower, and his body was later found on the crushed stairs. He was a role model to his children, and he was a hero because he died in the line of duty (in this case, doing his job by helping others to escape). Mr. Davis's children and wife decided to move to Texas after news of his death because the memory of his death was too painful for them to bear.
It's dreadful and shocking that a policeman would be killed since most of them were securing the outer perimeter of the two towers immediately after the two airplanes crashed. However, Mr. Davis was running in one last time to evacuate people the people still trapped in the north tower, when it started to collapse. It must be terrible to know that you're going to die, but you choose to do your job anyway. Mr. Davis's dedication and perseverance to his duty to help others during this critical time made his death so memorable to me. In my opinion, the attackers' motive for jihad, or a holy war which basically says that it's okay to do whatever you want as long as it seems like the right thing to do in their God's (the Islamic god is named Allah) name. Also, their attacks were planned as part of the Taliban group in Afghanistan, which led to our invasion and our current military operations. I can't understand how anyone could possibly choose to end the lives of many innocent people, and say it was the right thing to do. I really hope that our actions in Afghanistan can end in a positive manner so that our actions were meaningful. It would be great if we could defeat the terrorists without harming the civilizians in the Middle East, as the terrorists did on September 11th.
Andy H.
Class 7
Tatanya Bakalinskaya had a fairly nondescript job as a hostess at the offices of Marsh and McLellan, working the kitchen and preparing coffee for the workers. She loved her job, however, because she worked on the 93rd floor of the World Trade Center and was always able to see various parts of New York City through the windows, looking down on the city like a bird from on high. Ultimately, the benefits of this jobsite were completely wiped out by the decisions of men she had never seen or even heard of, a sad truth that applied to all of the WTC workers and their families.
What truly stuck out to me as I read Bakalinskaya's biographical bit was the fact that she immigrated from Ukraine with her family in 1994, graduated from Brooklyn College thanks to her "tough work ethic," and said that, when she got her job at the WTC in 1998, her "life had just begun." To her, a foreigner, America was not an inherently evil place, not a festering ground for irreconciliable morals but a land of chance and hope, a land where those who work hard to achieve their goals are rewarded. To read her story was to realize that the terrorists did not just attack Americans, did not just attack human beings, did not just protest against the evils that they viewed as intrinsic to American society--they attacked the dreams of persons worldwide who saw America and saw a place where they could shape their own futures, a place righteous and fair enough to allow success to be dictated by will and the strength of one's actions. For whatever moral purposes the terrorists attacked the United States, other morals, morals likely shared by the vast majority of human beings, were attacked collaterally. When I read Bakalinskaya's story, this fact became much more real to me because I was able to give it a name and a background. Bakalinskaya's story also allowed me to see that the al Qaeda operatives had extremely narrow vision: they did not see America as the multidimensional country that it is but simply as a country centered around immoral principles. As naive as this may sound, I would like to think that al Qaeda is given the slightest bit of pause by the collateral damage caused by their attack on American ideals. One may always hope.
Perhaps the very first thing that struck me when I was looking at the portraits was the sheer amount of people who died. Just looking at the names evokes indescribable sadness. As I was going through the portraits one of them strangely stood out to me.
Vincent and Andrew Abate: Brothers at Work and Play.
These brothers weren't anything special, they weren't rescue workers, nor were they any high ranking corporate workers, they just traded bonds at Cantor Fitzgerald for a living. But they did almost everything together, they would shoot hoops or bat handballs together, they'd have barbecues together, go on vacation together, they even worked together. But most shocking for all, and no doubt extremely upsetting for all of their loved ones, they died together. I can not even begin to comprehend what that must have been like for any of their family or loved ones, especially a parent. What would you do, if you lost both of your sons on the same day? Can you get any comfort out of believing that the two of them were there for each other in there final moments? I simply do not know.
Colin S.
Period 3
Isaias Rivera: A Veteran of 1993
Isaias was a technician for CBS and had been in the television transmission center at the top of the north tower (floor 110) on February 26, 1993 when a bomb went off in the basement. He tried to keep WCBS on the air and helped he rescue efforts, working through the night. Isaias had been employed by CBS for 30 years and was the last veteran of the 1993 bombing that was still stationed on the 110th floor. His friend claims that he wasn't the same after the bombing, and he had fears of if happening again. It's really sad to think about the things that Isaias must have been feeling on September 11, 2001. He might have feared another bombing after that of 1993, but that doesn't mean he was prepared for the attacks.
Kristin
Class 7
Gary Koecheler: A Reticent War Hero
Gary Koecheler was a Vietnam war veteran with a Bronze Star. He put himself through college and law school, and had a wife and two kids. The family lived in Harrison, New York.
It is horrible that a man like this had to die from 9/11. He was a war hero that risked his life to protect everyone else in this country. He had a loving family and was trying to give his sons the easy life. I can't imagine how dreadful it was for his children when they found out about his death.
Nichola Thorpea: Loving Sister
I found this portrait the most memorable because it was one that I can relate to. My brother and I are very close and I would be absolutely devastated if anything happened to him. This portrait was especially sad beacuse the sister of the woman who was caught in the towers talked about how much fun they used to have in manhattan. A place that they had created so many great memories was now a burial ground. Losing a sibling would be like losing huge part of yourself. It was also weird to read the woman talk about the death of her sister and say "she passed." We usually use that term for someone who died from an on going sickness or old age, but not for a young vibrant woman who was suddenly killed in a terrorist attack. The womans words about her sister were truly haunting, all she could say at the end was, "she was a loving sister."
Leah Barrett period 3
Michael D. D'Auria: Success in the Kitchen
Michael D. D'Auria was one of nine firefighters on his mother's side of the family. However, he was known among the other firefighters as a fabulous chef, as he had trained to be one. Everyone knew that when Michael's name was on the board, they would eat good that night. He was known for his spiritual tatoos as well: St. Michael, St. Anthony, and the Serenity Prayer were all tattoed onto his body.
What was memorable for me was the fact that Michael had talked about his death earlier that year. He told his sister that when he dies, it would be in a big way, and it would change the world. However, no one could have anticipated this, including Michael, a promising firefighter on his way to his second, and unfortunatly last, fire.
-Hank H. Class 7
Eliezer Jiminez Jr.: Filling in for a Co-Worker
This story really struck a chord with me because it emphasized how unlucky these people were to be in the towers during the attacks. It was a Sunday night, and he had been planning to take the next week off for vacation. However, his bosses had called him to ask if he could fill in for a co-worker. Of course, Mr. Jiminez Jr said he would as he needed the money to support his four children. What started out as an ordinary work week ended up being his last.
This story symbolizes the misfortune of the victims. Mr. Jiminez shouldn't have been anywhere near the towers if not for his teamwork and generosity. Yet, for his good deeds, the reward lacked karmic justice. What do you think must have been going through the mind of the co-worker who was filled in for? Does he feel guilt? Relief? I could just as easily been him/her instead of Mr. Jiminez, in fact, if normal work schedules were followed, it would have been them. It is truly sickening how so many good, honest, generous people, like Mr. Jiminez, had their life cut short, and had grief brought upon their loved ones.
Ishan T. Period 3
Jennieann Maffeo: The Giving Gene
Jennieann spent her entire life volunteering for all kinds of charities. From feeding the homeless to raising money for juvenile diabetes, she put her dedication into everything she did. She was 40 years old and working as a senior programmer in New Jersey. On the fateful day of September 11, 2001, she was commuting to work by foot when the first plane hit, showering her in burning jet fuel. After 41 days in the hospital burn unit she passed away.
I felt that this portrait was very sad and ironic, especially in the way that she died. The fact that she happened to be walking directly under the building when the plane hit and in the direct path of the burning jet fuel is extremely unfortunate. It is hard for us to accept that bad things happen to good people, and in this case it is even harder.
Abe Zelmanowitz: A Friend to the End
This passage is really memoralbe to me becuase Abe stayed inside the tower even after it was hit to help try to save his paralized friend. It's just amazing how even in the worst of times and situations humanity and loyalty can rise above all else. He could have saved himself but instead he risked his life to save another, and unfourtunantly did not succeed. I could never imagine having to make a descion such as the one he had to make and I hope i never will. Maybe he didn't know the towers would collapse, or maybe he didn't care, his main priority was trying to get his paralized friend out of the building and he should be honored for this.
Audra
Class 7
Relearning about 9-11, I feel that the impact is even greater. I can remember the exact time that my mom told me about what had happened that day. I was only in first grade and while I understood how many people had died, I don’t think that I understood the whole situation. Also one of my parents friends was in the towers and died, which was hard for them. I also remember hearing stories about my neighbor who works for the New York Stock exchange and how he had to throw away the suit he was wearing because it was covered in ash and the pockets were also full of ash. Relearning these stories has had a huge impact on me.
I read the story about Catherine Fagan. It is so sad to think about all of the people she left behind and what she might have been able to achieve if she had not been in the wrong place at the wrong time. When reading about her you learn about all of the times she had with her granddaughter who is now left alone. It seemed like Catherine really loved her family and would be missed. It is so crazy that you just think about going to work every morning as something normal and then something like this happens and people’s lives are completely changed.
Meghan L.
Period 3
Carlton F. Valvo II: Traveler First Class
Carlton Valvo was a man who knew everyone, and used this to travel all over the world. He worked as an international bond trader, so he was always being introduced to new areas of the world. His daughter, Dante, is taking after her father, sharing the same love of travel. It's sad though that because of his passion for travel and his commitment to his job, it ended up being the reason for his death. I wonder if because of his accident, his daughter and wife have stopped traveling as much as they did.
Mark. A
Period - 3
Edelmiro Abad: One Office, Two families & Shannon Adams.
In reading about Edelmiro and Shannon, I realize that
I'll never be able to understand the utter devastation that happened that day. Here is a father, looking forward to a future with his children, and in a flash, that future was gone. His future and his dreams, all gone. And for what! That is what I don't understand. What did the death of Edelmiro or the thousands of others that perished that day accomplish. What did the death of Shannon Adams accomplish. A young guy excitied to begin his career,and running at full speed in the greatest city in America. Did Shannon have any idea that his life was about to end? Did any of us have any idea that our lives were going to change forever?
My life changed forever. That of my parents changed forever. I will always remember that day and I will always remember the people who were lost. I will never understand what drove these people to commit this awful act. To me, there is no excuse.
KelseyP Per3
When I think of 9/11 I think of the war we are still in, but it is easy to forget about the lives lost. When I focus more on this area, I think of those who went in willingly and understanding they may not come out alive, then I think of those who had no idea. Those on the plane, at their desk, even just walking by on the street, innocent Americans. Among the portraits I was struck by the small things that still make us wonder, what would have happened if... ? One portrait that really made me think of this was that of Patrick Adams, who was a security officer on floor 81, when he called to state that he was trapped, he got the answering machine. What if someone were to answer? I was also struck by the Vale brothers, who had just survived a round of layoffs as of September 10th, what if they had been laid off? There are many shocking stories of 9/11, some miracles, and some hardships. Really thinking of the reality of what happened and not looking at statistics but rather stories from families helps you to remember why we are still at war, and why this was a true attack against the United States.
Andrew Desperito-Dedication to a hero
Andrew Desperito was a firefighter, husband, father, friend, coach, and board member. Unfortunately there is a rock in the back of his town middle school stating these things. After watching the horrible videos of september 11th up close in US History class, i became scared. Scared for the families who lost their relatives, and scared for the United States and how vulnerable we really are! This task wasn't even recognized, it happened all so quick, people had no idea what to do, just like what Andrew went through. Although he was a trained, experienced firefighter with a duty to help save lives and put out fires. It must have been tough making the decision of going up into the towers during the attacks. I would think about my family and how things would be when i get back, how much closer we would be. In this situation, you must think positively only, because in that matter you will most likely live.
After our national security was tested, clearly it needed to be reshaped, which is exactly what was done. As a nation we must take the responsibility to insure safe environments where people don't have to worry about anything. Yes it takes time, and more people but would you rather have thousands dead from a bombing? Or thousands working hard to monitor national security?
Daniel Afflito - Host of Patio Parties
Daniel Afflito was a husband and father. The tragedy, but also hope in his story, is that his wife was pregnant with his second child. They had flown back to the city on September 10th, the day before the attack, because he didn't want to take another day off of work like his wife wanted him to. It's weird to think that if they would have just caught the next plane or if he took just one day off of work, he might be alive and might be able to meet his second child. Before the attack, the at-home pregnancy test had come back negative, however just the day after, Daniel's wife ended up discovering that she was in fact pregnant. She looks at it as God giving her something for what he took.
I think reading personal stories, even just short ones like these, makes 9/11 seem so much more real. It's not just a certain number of people anymore, it's about individuals with families and lives and shattered futures.
Alex Fogelberg
Per 7
Jacqueline Young: Avoiding Noise, Not Music
Her story of how she avoided noise, but danced at her brothers wedding captured me. She hated yelling and panic and in her last few moments she heard all the yelling and screaming in the world. She had no clue that her simple life where the noise wasn't loud would be in jeopardy. She was a 37 year old woman who was a lawyer unmarried and died alone hearing the one thing she hated, noise.
Paige Olson
Class 7
The man named Adam P. Arias was a high school graduate without a college degree and grew to vice presidency of euro brokers. His wife had undergone 15 lynphoma-related surgeries and during the course of those he helped her tremendously, beleiving she would make it. Tragicaly he died in the trade centers yet his wife continues to live going on to her 16th surgery.
Brian B
Period 7
Paul Barbaro: Trailing 2 Little Boys
A hardworking husband and father of two little boys, paul william who was 5 and Joseph who was only 2, Paul was killed while working in the trade towers. i find every death that occured from the terrorist attacks on 9/11 to be horrific, but to see that a man had to leave his two young children behind, 2 sons at that who would grow up, seeing their father as an idol, is sadening to say the very least.
Eric S
Period 7
Nichola Thorpea: Loving Sister
The brief story about this young woman, a "loving sister", studious and avid music lover, thorpea had everything going for her. On the day of September 11, 2001, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Another thign that i found particularly memorable and sad was that her sister, Vermylin, had recently died of cancer. before she passed she bought a Micheal Jackson album and sadly never got the chance to listen to it. It said Thorpea would always encourage her nieces to do well in school and would often suprise them with a trip to the movies. Though the comments about this woman were simple, and probably do not adiquitely describe what a wonderful person she was, based on the remarks we do have, Nichola Thorpea will always be remembered ass the loving, kind wman she was.
Cristina N.
7
After reading through the profiles of people that were killed in World Trade Center attacks, the name Godwin Ajala stood out to me. His name did not seem like a typical American. Godwin Ajala was born in Nigeria where he became a lawyer, but he was forced to give up his profession as a lawyer to immigrate to America in 1995. He was forced was forced to leave his homeland without his wife and children. Ajala found a job as a security guard in the world trade center World Trade Center after settling in. Ajala had the hopes of becoming a lawyer in the United States he studied hours every day, trying to learn American Law. He was planning to return to his family in 2001, but he ended up becoming another fatality in the World Trade Center attacks.
This story really affected me because Ajala was trying to achieve the American dream like most people working that day. This really upsets me in how so many innocent people were killed because, the terrorists and their leaders do not like our way of life. What our country stands for, and why we are the best country in the world. Anyone can become anything with enough work. Ajala was a security guard aspiring to become a lawyer again. He might not have been born a United States citizen, but I feel that he was a real American trying to achive a better life for himself and his family.
Another reason this story really impacted me because these attacks had a global impact. It seems that almost every nation in the world was affected in some way, by these attacks. Either they lost people in the attacks, or they pledged support for the United States. The attacks really effected our country economically, the recent economic crisis can be traced back to the attacks, because our economy never really recovered since 2001.
Sam Salvo: A Soft Spot for His Dogs
Reading this story is depressing for many reasons. This man was in his late 50's, he cared about everyone and everything, and he was enjoying life as it came to him. It is upsetting to read how his daughter talked about him as if he was still alive. She talked about how whatever he was doing was "the best." He was happy with whatever he was doing and his life was cut short by acts of terror.
It is also depressing to read how much he cared for his dogs. He never had the opportunity to say goodbye to them and it puts into perspective the fact that not many people that died in the attacks on the WTC got to say goodbye. So many things must have been left unsaid and it is upsetting to realize that everything that those who died had going for them is over.
Michael Cammarata: 'Don't Mourn Me'
Michael's brother found a note that listed four things he wanted from his family if he died. This was so upsetting to me yet it is lucky for the family to have some kind of closure instead of many who didn't even know if their family member was dead or not. MY question while reading this is, did Michael ever really think that his family would need to use this note because of his death while firefighting? There are many firefighters who don't die in a fire and I wonder if Michael thought he would or wouldn't. I also wonder how the family responded to his death. He says don't mourn me but after any death in the family it is almost impossible not to mourn that person.
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