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 Friday June 10th.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/newyorkandregion/series/portraits_of_grief/index.html
54 comments:
All of these portraits really bring 9/11 to life (or perhaps- death). They each reflect upon the lives of the victims and their families during this time, and most do not focus on the extraordinary events or accomplishments of their lives, but their everyday lives. This just makes the events of 9/11 even more painful, as we can compare our lives to theirs…and realize that it could have been anyone who was attacked. They were just people, just going to work. It seems like the bad always happens to others, but these portraits really do show that something this unfortunate could happen to my family.
For example, the portrait on Laurence C. Abel states, “Laurence C. Abel was a sports enthusiast — he played as much tennis, basketball and golf on his Sony PlayStation as he did on the courts — and a car lover.” The portrait on Benjamin James Walker talks about how every Saturday morning he made pancakes… and how his children now have to make do with his wife’s.
After reading many of these portraits, it hit me that it is the sudden absence of the small joys in life and the small details of a person’s life that causes the most pain and grief.
I read a comment about a man named Vito Deleo who helped dozens of people escape the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Mr. Deleo had done the exact same in 1993 during the first World Trade Center bombing, where he was partly deafened by the explosion that happened only 150 feet from where he was standing. He attended the court cases in 1994 and was thrilled with the outcome verdict. "I had chills coming down my body when I heard it," he said. "For my colleagues who are deceased: `We can't bring you back, but I hope now that your souls will rest in peace. Never surrender.'" Mr. Deleo was obviously a kind-hearted man which is shown by his bravery as he helped people escape the collapsing building during both attacks, even after he was injured in the first attack; he continued to help others and for that many are grateful. I think that people can learn from the kindness and bravery he showed during both attacks in a time of such distress and panic; his story, as well as everyone else who passed away, deserves to be told, so that people know what he did for his country. Mr. Deleo left behind a wife and two children who were told by witnesses that “he was a hero twice.”
Colleen Cosgrove
Class 4
After reading some of the portraits, the one that was the most memorable to me was the one about John P. Lozowsky. He reminded me of a cousin that I have.
For as long as I can remember him he has always been an innovative thinker and has tried his hardest to find the easiest way out of things. Just like John, he has his own style and way of doing things that is very unique. He does not travel as far has John has but then again Mike (my cousin) is only 25 years old. He has already kayaked the Connecticut river and hiked the entire Appalachian trail.
From the portrait of grief, John seems like a guy that just wanted to get the most out of his life. He wanted to live it to the fullest and see everything he could see. It is hard to see anyone go but especially someone that like who just loves life.
Peter Kerns
Class 4
After reading potraits it made me realize all the little things that people do. Sometimes it is the littel things that mean the most to people. It also made all these deaths that happened on 9/11 more real. It really puts a face to the people and makes them see so much more real than it did before. One portrait that was particularly memorable was one about Patricia Fagan. She was referred to as being chatty and would always stop to talk to whoever. These little chats alwasy make people happy and now people can't stop and talk to her anymore. These portraits just really make the deaths of 9/11 victims so much more real and it shows how people really value the tiny little things that make them happy.
Hunter French
Class 1
I read about Col. Richard C. Rescorla. He was the head of security for Morgan Stanley's offices in the towers and was a Vietnam veteran. When the planes hit, he carried out his evacuation plan that made and practiced after the 1993 bombing. This plan saved almost everyone of the people he was protecting, he lost only 6 of the 3,700 employees. I found this memorable because it shows that some people did learn from the 1993 bombing and those who did were able to save more lives than those who did not learn anything from that attack. It quite memorable in that he is a real life hero, sacrificing himself to save thousands of people.
It was difficult read these portraits for me. I feel that often with something massively horrific like the Holocaust or My Lai, or, in this case, September 11, it's easier to dismiss it as simply that: a horrific event. Reading portraits like this, beginning to understand the individuals that died that day, forces one to recognize exactly why September 11 was so horrific.
One story that really struck me was that of Aleksandr Ivantsov. He was a Russian man working in New York City who had married Anna Ivantsov only a year prior to his death. Now the woman that referred to Aleksandr as her "everything" is a widow. It's difficult to accept the fate that both Aleksandr and his wife were handed - and I wonder, if those who organized the bombings that day still would have done it if they had to read these portraits.
Mikaela Kemsley
Class 1
After reading the portrait of Juan Ortega Campos, I became upset hearing about how such bad things could happen to such great people. Juan originated from Mexico, and was a delivery boy who carried meals to the suits in the World Trade Center. Back in his hometown, Juan was the picture of success. Living in America, he pursued his dream to earn enough money to buy a piece of land and build a house for him and his family. That was his dream, and he did whatever possible to work towards fulfilling that dream. In her husband's name, Juan's wife hopes that she will receive enough assistance to build a house in their hometown and follow through with her husband's dream. Hearing how determined Juan was to fulfill his dream and hearing that he was not able to because of the events of 9/11 leaves me terribly upset. This day killed many innocent people; it killed Juan Ortega Campos, who was just a man with a dream. Hopefully his wife will follow through with her husband's dream in his absence.
Amanda Stanton
Class 6
Reading these portraits makes the feelings certainly emotional, but I think that these are good representations of those that have died, still live on...Creating the portraits with all the individual stories makes it seem that everyone by reading, has earned a small piece of each person in their own live...very inspiring..
It is so inspiring to the point that I though it would be interesting to review the story of man with my own last name. Peter M. West from Pottersville, NJ. Gladly, I can say that I shared a last name with this man because based off his stories like all the victims, they were the most kind and full of life type human beings. Mr. West enjoyed riding motorcycles and would go off on the weekend for a few hours in the whole biker get up...When stopped by police because they had noticed someone was following him and asked if he knew who it was in the blue audi...He responded, "my wife". His wife, Eileen West, from this story seemed to love her husband very much and reading these stories to me makes it so much more personal....
Mason W.
Honors Class 1
These portraits reminded me how awful the 9/11 attacks were. Knowing that the victims were such normal and great people makes it much harder to accept the attacks. If the victims were horrible criminals, then it would be easier to accept what happened. The fact that the victims were all hard-working, passionate people makes it much harder to let go and move on.
The post about Marc Zeplin really stood out to me. He grew up playing hockey, and his dream was to become a professional sportscaster. Since this was a difficult dream to achieve, he instead became a trader at Cantor Fitzgerald, which was a company located in the World Trade Center. The portrait said that he was so excited to teach his kids all about hockey and he was planning to take them to games. This victim's story really stood out to me, because I am a hockey fan myself. If my dad was not around during my childhood, then I wouldn't have been exposed to the sport, which is a big part of who I am today. It makes me realize how fortunate I am to have a father figure in my life, and I have sympathy for Marc Zeplin's children.
Jess Haitz
class 1
After reading these profiles my heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones. Thousands of people lost their lives just because the twin towers marked a significant place for the U.S. Joo Koo Kang a loving father of two died in this horrible attack against the U.S. government. He left behind a loving wife and his two young daughters who will never remember who he was as a person but through the memories that their mother, Dohee Kang, can pass on. The couple got married just after Dohee graduated. Joon presented her with a thousand cranes and a scrap book. The last page stated "Will you marry me?" and with that she did. The line that struck me the hardest was this line, ""I told my little ones that Daddy is in heaven. Then my older girl asked me, `Could I call him?' " Mrs. Kang said. "I said no. If you wanted to see Daddy, you had to pray."" This broke my heart that the little girl could not understand what happened until she is much older. My heart goes out to this family and the people who lost their lives.
Lisa Ferrari
Class 1
I think what strikes me the most about these portraits is how easily it seems like each person could be someone I know.
The portrait of Charles Magee reminds me of my Dad. Magee was an engineer who was passionate about understanding "how things worked." My Dad is the same way, and it's heartbreaking to think about how Magee could have been someone else's father.
I also read the portrait of Karen Elizabeth Hagerty and I couldn't help but think of my sister. The author talks about after learning that her sister, Deborah, was trying to find people to buy presents for children at a homeless center in the Bronx, Karen jumped right into the project to the point where "her office would overflow with donated toys." This reminds me of how my sister, Andie, collected new/lightly used stuffed animals to donate when she was in high school. I can't imagine what it must have been like for Deborah to lose her sister and feel incredibly grateful that no one close to me was in the World Trade Center when the attacks occurred.
Another part of this portrait that caught my attention was the fact that the author used first names instead of formal titles. It almost makes it feel more realistic when you are that much closer to knowing the individual.
Hannah Maret
Class 6
As I read through the comments feelings of anger rose in my heart. All these great people and they had the unfortunate luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. One story I read, was about Daphne Ferlinda Elder, it was a woman who worked just a few blocks away from the towers. On specific days her work had early days and late days, and sept 11, was an early day, and she had to arrive for work at 8:30. It just seems that with all the luck in the world, all these people, just the little things that could change, could save their lives. If she came back a day later from vacation, or if she missed her train into work, or even if it was a late day, she could have survived. This is so powerful because it makes you reflect upon how lucky we all are to be alive this very day, hour, moment. We take our lives for granted and we don't realize it. This story is so memorable because timing and luck are really what run this world, and what run our lives.
-Katie Shirley
There's a saying that goes, "Bad things always happen to good people," and by reading these portraits, I firmly agree. And yet, personally, I feel that bad things happen to everyone, the good aren't necessarily singled out, but the human race can sympathize better with the "hero" or the "good guy" and not so much with the rapist or the kidnapper. This is because we like to believe that if you are "good," bad things won't happen to you, and yet, looking at the story of Donald Regan (I know, I know, but I had to :]) we see that even a man that was so selfless and protective was a victim of such a horrible event.
Donald Regan kept a close eye on his family, as his portrait describes. He sent letters, food, and materialistic items to his two children that did not live near him. He wanted to make sure they were all safe and well taken care of.
Regan was a 17 year veteran firefighter, part of Rescue Company 3. He dedicated his life to saving others.
Finally, Regan was very modest. His son describes that he was famous for buying "clunkers" or poorly conditioned cars with high milage. Regan simply called them "classic." The man took care of these cars with his whole heart, showing his true passion was something beyond materialistic means. He was a man of character and heart. He was a hero in his own sense. And so it seems that the best are always taken.
9-11 changed millions of lives. I did not personally know Donald Regan, although I feel like I might've wanted to. There are so many people affected by this attack, and each of their stories are different, with one common factor: they all revolve around the horrible incident that struck our nation on September 11, 2001. About 3000 people were killed that day, but millions of lives were altered.
Justina
Class 4
All of these portraits prove one thing: life is not fair. And that sucks. Justina mentioned the quote "Bad things always happen to good people." I totally agree. All of these people were innocent, and it's awful that terrorists target those innocent people. It is one thing to go after a person out of revenge or spite (which still isn't good!), but to attack innocent people you never knew is a monstrosity.
One portrait that particularly touched me was Alona Abraham's. She was a good worker and visited America frequently from her home in Israel. She loved America and it was one of her dreams to be there. Being in America was an escape from the bombings and violence she faced at home. Everyone needs that one place that makes them happy and lets them forget their troubles. Alona found it, but was unfortunately on the airplane that struck the World Trade Center. I express the utmost sympathy for these people and it disgusts me that so many people were harmed out of the violence.
Nicole D
Class 1
One portrait of grief that really stood out to me of Frederick Varacchi. He was a very dedicated father from Greenwich CT, close to where we live. This portrait drew my attention because it reminded me very much of my own father. His family described him as a "man who would get up to play a round of golf at 6am". My father is also a golf enthusiast, so the description really put me in the position of these kids as if I had lost my father.
After reading through several of these portraits, I soon saw that every different person had their defining characteristic, and meant a lot to some people. Those who were lost were not merely a statistic, they belonged to families who will miss them deeply.
Maddie Dorso Class 1
These portraits make 9/11 become much more three-dimensional for those who were not directly affected by it. After reading the stories about mothers, fathers, daughters, sisters, brothers, sons, etc., I felt like I could relate to those losses. Maria makes an excellent point in referencing to the common theme in these portraits, the small things that make each of these people so unique.
Lorisa Taylor loved to shop, and though it probably drove her husband crazy, he will never again experience her pretending that her sister is giving her some old clothes even though she bought them online a week before. And Myrna Yaskulka's gaudy way of dressing and excessive love for the over the top will never again make her family roll their eyes.
This is what leaves us feeling an emptiness inside. The characteristics that are exclusive to a person are what makes us miss them when they're gone and they're also the things that make us smile when we think back on the time shared together.
Of all of these very personal reflections of the 9/11 victims, the one portrait that really stood out to me was titled "Charles Garbarini: The Family's Core."
Charley Garbarini was the middle child of nine children and was known as the family comedian. As a kid, he would jump up on a coffee table surrounded by his family and would entertain them with his great sense of humor. He grew up to become a firefighter, married and had two boys.
It is clear from the reflection that Charley was the "life of the party" wherever he went. However, he was also a great father and husband. Being that he lived in New York and was a firefighter, he most likely died attempting to save the lives of others.
Charles Garbarini stood out to me because of the enormous impact he seemed to have on others in his presence. This means that his death alone leaves his parents, wife, kids, friends and his fire department in a state of grief. It is approximated that about 3,000 people died and 6,000 were injured as a result of 9/11. While these people were directly affected, their friends and family are also impacted by this. Though we think of this event as the death of 2000, I now see that each one of these people was a mother, father, brother, sister, or even friend to others. I cannot even grasp the amount of people that this event caused grief to. This New York Times feature reminds us that 2,000 people died, but each of these people left behind legacies and their deaths impacted several thousands more.
-John Corsi
Class 4
After reading a few of the Portraits of Grief, I recognized how abruptly so many lives ended. Most of the posts I read involved someone going to work as usual or traveling for vacation. None of these people expected or were warned that 9/11 was going to be their last day alive, making the destruction even more devastating.
A particular post that stood apart for me was Vincent Halloran. He was a firefighter and father of five children. His bravery cost him his life and left his family fatherless. Being one of five children in my family, I related to this story. I could not fathom how my family would function if one of my parents passed away. The struggles for this family must have been huge, especially for the mother, after his untimely death. This post reminded me how quickly life can completely change without any notice.
Jessa Mason
Class 1
After reading Sophia B. Addo’s story; Luck, Then Hard Work, what struck me the most was the fact that the day after the attacks on the World Trade Center, Sophia was going to change her life. She was going to take a written test to see if she was entitled to a G.E.D. certificate and if she had the opportunity to go to college. Her opportunity of a life time was just a few hours away and she died while she was cleaning Windows of the World to earn money to sustain herself. She was a teacher in Ghana, and had come to the United States to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher or nurse. In the portrait she was described as “She liked to read her Bible; she was a person who would comfort you, and when you were unhappy with life, she would use the word of God to make you happy," said Joseph. "To me, she was justice." After reading stories like these, it makes you feel like the world is not fair; about 3,000 innocent and helpless people died that day because of hatred of a small group. It is a little scary to think that hatred lead to something as terrible as targeting landmarks that terrorists knew would cause a big toll in America. It is very unfortunate that the lives of people like Sophia B. Addo were taken away because of a strong hatred felt towards America.
Edith Campos
Period: 4
out of all the portraits there was one that really stood out not beceause of his story, but beceause he was muslim he was assumed to be part of the plot. Mohammad Salman Hamdani wanted people to see him for who he truly was, not for who he seemed to be.And yet, some people continued to see him as something he was not.
After Mr. Hamdani, 23, disappeared on Sept. 11, ugly rumors circulated: he was a Muslim and worked in a lab; he might have been connected to a terrorist group. Months later the truth came out. Mr. Hamdani's remains had been found near the north tower, and he had gone there to help people he did not know. and that reall bothers me, even though people learned the truth people still judged him falsely.
Adam Wruck
Class 1
Every single story that I read tore out a little piece of my heart. It is hard to imagine that these people were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have been anyone working in that building the time of the attacks.
One story that I read was very moving. It was the story of a man named Michael G. Jacobs. He was just an ordinary guy working in the office everyday. What really made me pay attention though was that he was from Danbury, CT. The fact that someone so close to home was killed that day is scary. Sometimes thinking about 9/11, you feel better knowing that it didn't happen in your town and didn't affect many people around you, when in reality, it did.
Some of the ironies behind Michael's stories were very interesting. For one, his son said that he would ask his father how the WTC was and he would reply, "It's still here. Still here." It is strange to think that at the time, this response seemed somewhat foolish, but now looking back at it, it has such a powerful meaning behind it.
Also, something else that I liked about Michael's story was that his family tries to make the situation better than it is by saying that if Michael was to die, this is the way that he would have wanted it to happen: going down in history. I think that that is something important to do when looking at this day. You really need to find some way to deal with the overbearing grief that accompanies it.
After looking at these stories and talking about the event in class, it is incredible that our country even survived. The shock of the event overwhelmed people, leaving them unsure of what to do and where to turn. Even today, the whole event seems surreal. It is hard to take in the full impacts of what happened that day.
Jess Lynch
Class 1
Just like many of my classmates have said, after reading these portraits it hits you that most of the time it is the small things like saying hi everyday in the morning that makes the deceased people of 9/11 missed so dearly.
For example, Paul Acquaviva, who was 29 when he died on 9/11. He overall was just a great guy. He exceled in sports as well as academics, and ended up graduating from Columbia Law School. Everyone loved the fact how he told his wife that every year she was getting more beautiful espescially when she was pregnant. He left behind a wife, daughter and son.
Andy Kelley
After reading over many of the portraits, it was John Farrell's story that really stuck with me.
He was a father of four with a wife he met back in high school. He was a simple man, and just wanted to live life and provide for his family, which is what he did. From his home in Basking Ridge New Jersey, it took him an hour and a half commute every day by car and train, to get there. After hours of long work it then took him another hour and a half to get home to his family. All because he wanted his children to have the experience of growing up in a small town. At a backyard gathering at his neighbors house he said, "You know what, Kumpfy? It doesn't get any better than this". It just shows how happy he was with his life and his family.
After reading all of these portraits of grief, it really brought it into perspective that real people actually died that day. These people had names and family's and lives that they were forced to leave, they weren't just part of a statistic. One person's portrait stuck out to me in particular though and that was Charles Garbarini. He was a lieutenant firefighter in the NYPD. Everyone who knew could say he was always the center of attention and was known for his joking and optimistic attitude. his buisness card even read "You light 'em, we fight 'em." The writer of this portrait was sure to mention his softer side as well. It is mentioned that he would often bring flowers home to his wife while having his young kids in tow.
Reading these posts make the whole day seem more real and brings everything full circle with how the day effected everyone. After reading these I want to reach out to everyone who knew anyone that was killed in the 9/11 attacks and tell them that their loved one will never be forgotten. I agree with Justina that this proves the statement that bad things always happen to good people. None of these people did anything to anyone to ever deserve their life ending this way and I don't anyone ever will.
Meredith B
Class 6
The portrait that stuck out to me was the one about the woman named Sophia B. Addo. She was an immigrant who, through a lottery, was fortunate enough to come to the United States in 1996, and wanted to pursue a career furthering her education. This story made me realize how tragic the loss of each life was, and that each one of the nearly 3,000 people that died had a story and hopes for a future, hopes that were destroyed by these attacks.
Reading these stories gives me a sense that the 9/11 attacks were real. It just seems like a story to me when I hear the summaries of what happened, but the real stories get to me. For example, I read an article about Peter A. Nelson. Nelson’s wife was pregnant with his child when he was killed in the attacks. His baby was born just three hours after his memorial service. This kind of thing just sticks with me. That baby girl will have to grow up without a father in her life, all because of his heroic acts to try to rescue many innocent lives. It keeps this memory in our lifetime real. So many families were torn apart as a result of these attacks. These families lost something that was irreplaceable. They lost loved ones.
Nathan N.
Class 6
These portraits give an intimate look on many victims of the 9/11 attacks. Their stories are so painful and touching, its impossible to comprehend the pain that their family and friends must have gone through and still go through. For instance, i read the portrait for Jason Jacobs and was touched by the fact that his wife said "even that day when he should have been trying to get out, he called to say `I love you and I love Zoe.' " That moved me, because it showed that even with his life in danger, Jason called his family to tell them that he loved them one last time.
Jake Tolson
Class 1
I went into this blog as I would any other: skimming the question, and following the link and hoping there wasn't too much reading involved. But I found myself captivated by these passages. While this may not be the case of all the victims, for many their short blurbs are there only lasting impression. I felt it was unfair to write only a short paragraph or two. I have spent the past hour just reading all the different portraits, in fact I almost forgot about this blog entirely.
I really don't feel that it is necessary to write about one thing that I found memorable, because quite frankly each and every portrait I read is still resonating in my mind. There was the young father you got as fish hook(with a fish attatched) stuck in his hand, the engaged woman who a few days prior to the attack told her fiance that she was the luckiest woman in the world, the lover of Irish poetry who claimed to be an 18th century man.
But if I had to pick one person that stuck with me the most it'd be Salvatore T. Papasso. His short entry really brought him to life. It talked about how he used to complain about how no one ever gave him toys anymore(for birthday), and when his brother gave him lego's for his birthday when he was in his late twenties he actually put them together. A person who finds joy in such small things truly loves life. This kind of person doesn't deserve to die, especially in such a horrible violent way. This passage made Mr. Papasso seem so alive, its just hard to believe that hes been dead for almost 10 years.
In metaphorical terms, trees are some of the most powerful things on earth. Thus I find it highly appropriate that one victim by the name of Lars Qualben raised a number of saplings along with his two sons, using the trees to make swings and treehouses for his children.
Trees are nature's greatest machines: they generate life energy from every available resource with no waste produced, and they grow tall and strong enough to support entire communities and ecosystems within themselves. Even when they die, their wood can be salvaged to create structures and tools to aid other organisms. I think all this connects well to the victims: they used everything they earned to support families and communities, growing economically and personally in the process. When they died, the tragedy united the entirety of the nation, martyring them, and making the things they accomplished in life so much more appreciated.
It's tough to look back now and really see what happened that terrible day. You see in second grade it didn't hit you and wasn't as real as it does today seeing these potraits. I chose Leon Smith Jr who was a 48 year old driver of the Ladder Company 118. It was very sad to read Mr. Smith seemed like such a caring and loving man who deserves to still be alive on this earth. He always wanted to share with others as young as 7 years old he wanted to take neighborhood friends with him to the zoo or plays his mother treated him to. I know Mr. Smith is in heaven because of being such a good guy. Either helping fix the cars of his brothers in the firehouse or lending an extra hand Leon Smith was there and should be greatly missed.
The portrait of Andrew Kates stood out to me. Andrew was just a normal man who loved his family and went to work at The World Trade Center everyday. Unlike most of my others classmates, I didn't pick out a man or woman that did something out of the ordinary, like saving several lives in the midst of the madness. Instead, I picked Andrew Kates simply for the life he lived.
Ever since I entered high school I have developed this particular way I want to/do live my life. My philosophy on life is very much like the one of Andrew. I believe in the term 'Carpe Diem', or living life to the fullest. His portrait described him as a happy man who loved his children and extracted all of the positives out of life. "He is one of the people I know who had very few regrets about his life", said his wife. I respect him for how he looks at this chaotic world and I believe that a great man was lost that day.
Will Fletcher
Class 4
After reading many of the portraits, I have come to realize that each one focuses on their daily routines and tried to portray who each person was. This brought them down to a level where I was capable of understanding and causing me to feel a great wave of sympathy. Because these portraits show minute details and aspects of the victims lives, they became more like people rather then numbers.
I focused on on portrait of Edward Keane. I did so because he was a relative of mine. He is a relative from my dads side. Although I personally did not know him, I now know of him. After reading the small portrait about him, I feel as though I know at least a small bit of information about him. I knew that he had died in the attack, but when I was told, I was very young and it really left no impact on me. But after watching the movie in class and reading the article able how he was 66 years old when the attack occurred I feel like I know him. The portrait explains that he resumed work after his original retirement because a life consisting nothing more then vacation wasn't for him. He was working, although he could have been off at a beach somewhere with his wife.
All of these portraits gave me a greater understanding and feeling of sadness. But I also feel as though I more fully understand the attack now.
Madeline Keane period 4
Mikaela Kemsley brought up how whenever she thinks about events like the holocaust, My Lai, or 9/11, she thinks about them as a horrific event but doesnt grasp the entirety of everything that went on inside that event. I have to agree with her completely. It reminds me of that song, "Fight Song" by Marilyn Manson. Theres a part in it when he starts shouting, "The death of one is a tragedy, But the Death of 1 million is just a statistic." I think this is honestly how everyone feels when they talk about death. It seems like some terrible event where so many people died, yet you find you cant connect to it because you cant individualize anyone in it. Its like when you find that you can sit there and talk about the murder of this family and how terrible it was and how they were tortured and you will find yourself depressed and not willing to go on with life for that day. Yet when you talk about a giant shoot out or large killing, you can return to normal conversation at a dinner table. I think that these articles really helped people individualize who it was that died. I read an article on Michael J. Cunningham and Charlie Murphy and both talked about how extremely funny they were. It talked about their families and who they were and it really put into perspective for me that all these deaths were really people with families and lives. Its not that i was ignorant to that fact before but its just that all they were were numbers. The articles put faces to those numbers and really helped put into perspective who all these people were whose lives were ended so unexpectedly.
Erin Cunningham
class 4
After reading a few portraits, it made me really realize how special these hero's truly were. For they were very normal, with normal everyday lives and families. Except they were the ones who acted out for our own safety. Regardless of their own. For me this makes 9/11 even more memorable/believable, before I just didn't feel or understand the high casualty from everyday hero's as well as innocent civilians. It was an awakening, they had absolutely no idea what the outcomes could result in if they stepped foot near the WTC's and what they were facing, but they never let fear get in the way. And because of their bravery, there were so many survivals and help available. They left many loved ones behind, such as Chief Kasper. He automatically went to help even though he was off duty, proving many of their dedication to not only our safety, but their jobs. It made me appreciate more the sacrifices that the Hero and their families had to make due to the WTC being attacked.
The Portraits of Grief, as Maria said earlier, bring the devastation of 9/11 to life. When reading the backstories of these simple, innocent people, who had purposes in life that they never got to fulfill, I was shaken by the magnitude of this catastrophic event, the magnitude that I didn't fully experience at the time of the attacks (considering I was too young to understand them). One of the stories that struck me was that of Victor Wald. The primary reason that I was drawn to his portrait of grief was because I could identify with him. He was a man who always craved learning, and who also had a knack for foreign languages. By reading the short summary of his life, I could see that he did not deserve his fate, nor did any other victim of the 9/11 attacks. Every one of them had their own unique story that ended so abruptly. They are all remembered for their goodness, heart and personalities. Those are the facets of a human's existence that transcend time, and by some, will never be forgotten. The results of the attacks give us reasons to be grateful for the lives that we have, that we all wish we could keep forever.
Sage Musk
Class 6
Reading the story about Don J. Kauth made me realize for as much as we complain about the selfishness of people, there are just as many who put the needs of others over their own every single day. Kauth lost his family early in life and divorced early. A bank analyst, Kauth moved to an apartment near his children in order to provide for his children and be there throughout their lives although it may not be with their mother. On Monday’s, Kauth would arise at 3am to commute to his job in Manhattan. The justification for this ridiculous commute, was “That’s where the money is” and his ex-wife reported saying “He was making it for his children”. This was a man who lived for no one but his children. He altered his entire life in order to assure their comfort and emotional stability. These were the people we lost that day. They were brave people, selfless people. It is often questioned why bad things happen to good people. Reading this story made me realize that we lose good people so we can appreciate their legacy and strive to achieve their attributes and sense of selflessness.
Morgan Kirol
Class 1
Well whenever we talk about 911 and the attack on the world trade center and pentagon my first emotion is a blood thirsty anger and hatred towards those responsible and also sadness and grief for all those who were killed and for all the people who lost the people they love. I also feel a need for vengeance and thats one of the reasons why i want to go into the military to seek revenge on all who are responsible and who are affiliated with the terrorist to kill them all and make them suffer the way we all suffered. I lost my father for 5 years because of what they did. The day of September 11th my dad got the call from his commanding officer telling him that his unit was active duty and to report to station. For about 5 years I barley saw him and would rarely every other month or so i would a brief phone call from him and thats it. So whenever i think of 911 that is what always comes to my mind and my anger and thirst for revenge. The portrait i did was Richard. B Madden who was 35 years old and had recently become a father with a 19 month year old daughter. He worked on the 100th floor and on the south tour and a few minutes before the tower collapsed he called his wife and said he wouldn't make it and told her he loved her and tell his daughter that he loved her. A week later his body was recovered from under the rubble and they were able to identify him from his wedding ring which inscribed " all my love".
Well whenever we talk about 911 and the attack on the world trade center and pentagon my first emotion is a blood thirsty anger and hatred towards those responsible and also sadness and grief for all those who were killed and for all the people who lost the people they love. I also feel a need for vengeance and thats one of the reasons why i want to go into the military to seek revenge on all who are responsible and who are affiliated with the terrorist to kill them all and make them suffer the way we all suffered. I lost my father for 5 years because of what they did. The day of September 11th my dad got the call from his commanding officer telling him that his unit was active duty and to report to station. For about 5 years I barley saw him and would rarely every other month or so i would a brief phone call from him and thats it. So whenever i think of 911 that is what always comes to my mind and my anger and thirst for revenge. The portrait i did was Richard. B Madden who was 35 years old and had recently become a father with a 19 month year old daughter. He worked on the 100th floor and on the south tour and a few minutes before the tower collapsed he called his wife and said he wouldn't make it and told her he loved her and tell his daughter that he loved her. A week later his body was recovered from under the rubble and they were able to identify him from his wedding ring which inscribed " all my love".
Just looking at all of these people and seeing them smile makes 9/11 so much more painful. These people had many people that loved them and it is just horrible to think that those people will never see their loved ones again. And as Hannah said, its scary to think that these people could be someone that you know.
The profile that i chose was of Mario Santoro, he was 28 at the time, and he was a emergency medical technician and a basketball coach at his church. He was married and he had a three year old daughter. He was very passionate about both his job and basketball. But the thing that he cared the most about was his family and food. He loved eating dinner with his family and friends, his wife said, "It was kind of like breathing for him; it was almost religious for him, like taking care of your soul...Meals were sacred. You sit down and you enjoy. You're not caught up in what's going on outside." And the only thing that she wants is for him to come back home for one more meal. That struck me the most because dinner is a time when people come together and it is extremely sad that every time his wife eats she is reminded of him, but it's also good that he is never forgotten. Reading this made me realize how we take the small things in life for granted, and we don't realize it until they are gone.
Reading these portraits really put 9/11 into perspective for me. It is sometimes hard to understand how many lives were ended and affected because of 9/11. So many innocent, wonderful people were given no chance to survive. It is unbelievable to me how the day started out like any other for everyone who was working in the world trade center.
One profile that was particularly memorable to me was Gertrude Alagero: The Luckiest girl in the world. Gertrude seemed like such a friendly, considerate, and truly happy person. Gertrude seemed like one of those people who were thankful for just being alive. She was an active skier, and was very competitive. She was engaged to be married to the vice president of her company just before the attack. So excited about her and her fiancé’s honeymoon in Africa, she thoughtfully gave him a new camera to become adept with before the trip. What made this profile most devastating was how a few days before 9/11 she stopped her fiancé, pressed her fingers to his lips and said, “Shhh, I need to tell you something: I am the luckiest girl in the world.” It is devastating to hear about the death of someone who was so content and in love.
9/11 was a day that affected almost everyone personally. For every one person who died, it affected a long line of family members and friends connected to that person.
Emily Kopcik
class 1
You never can truly connect with the people lost until you learn a bit about them. Once you're able to match a personality with a name, the emotional connections are made. This was how I managed to interpret the portraits of grief, and I do believe that many others felt that way as well.
Probably the man I felt a true emotional connection with was Stephen Adams. Perhaps it was the fact that he was unique among other people his age, as I feel I am unique around people who are my age. I mean, the man found a great deal of joy from morris dancing of all things. In most cases the quality that I admire most in a person is the most unique one. When that person dies, it feels sad for me to know that another story full of life lessons and unique details can never be told again.
I think that what really tugs at the heartstrings of those who look the lives of the 9/11 victims is when they see a piece of themselves or others in them. It's sort of like how Peter Kerns made his emotional connection: he saw some of his cousin in John P. Lozowsky.
Charlie Pryor
Class-6
After reading several sobering but also inspirational stories relating to the many 9/11 victims profiled, I came across one that left an impact on me particularly. It was that of Mohammad Salman Hamdani. As the article says, Mohammad "wanted people to see him for who he truly was, not for who he seemed to be". An American citizen born in Pakistan, he had always faced teasing from his two American-born brothers. He had always wanted to be seen as an all-american kid. He had even seen all of the Star Wars movies and was known for his "Yung Jedi" license plate.
After college, he became a research assistant at Rockefeller University and drove an ambulance part time. After the events of 9/11 and his disappearance, ugly rumors stemmed from his being a muslim and working in a lab, but these were soon silenced when his body was recovered from the wreckage. He had always wanted to be seen for what he was, not how he appeared.
This is the message that struck me the most. It is essential not to judge someone based solely off first impressions, because everyone has their own story.
- Kevin M
Class 6
Looking through these names was tough. It seems like so long ago that this event happened. As I looked through them one jumped out at me, “Thomas Celic – He Made People Laugh”. He was the second fire fighter to pass away in this family. At the funeral people talked about how much he made people laugh. He seemed to be a man who was loved by everyone and adored by his family.
The reason that this jumped out at me was because this is my uncle’s first cousin. I had never met him before; at least I can’t remember meeting him. I have never asked my uncle about his cousin or his brothers, who dealt with the aftermath of 9/11 (one was in the morgue and the other looked at the structure of the buildings). I’m not sure he would want to.
When the planes crashed I didn’t know what was going on. Now, I know that if my dad’s old college friend hadn’t left the 108th floor of the second building when the first plane hit, he wouldn’t be here. I know that my uncle’s cousin did risk his life for his family and country. Thomas Celic will never be forgotten by his family or the country, he as well as all the other men and women who were killed by theses attacks will always hold a spot in every Americans heart.
Grace McKinley
Class 1
The portraits of grief by the New York Times really give us a new perspective on how large the impact of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 were. If 3,000 people died during the attacks and each victim had ten close friends or family members, then another 30,000 people were directly impacted by the mental aspect of the attacks. These individual stories show all the potential and hope that was glowing from the people who were unfairly killed on that day; their strides towards better and brighter futures were cut short by the astonishing and horrifying acts of the hijackers who took the lives of thousands.
One of the stories that stopped me was that of a woman named Maria Theresa Santillan. She had been preparing for her upcoming wedding to her high school sweetheart for months, planning every detail for every step of the way. She was a bright, loving girl who brought so much joy to everyone she knew. After her wedding, she wanted to have doves released into the sky to represent peace and love, but her life was taken before she could ever go through with her big day. So at her memorial service, six doves were released in her honor.
It is heartbreaking to think about the life she would’ve had and know that it was taken away from her in such an awful act of terrorism. What is even more upsetting, however, is thinking about how her fiancé, parents, and other family and friends were feeling when they learned of her death. I don’t think I would’ve handled the news very well, to be honest. The strength these affected families who had to keep pushing on with their lives is truly amazing.
Erin B.
Class 6
The snapshots of the 9/11 victims showed the reality to 9/11. That these people were everyday Americans with a life, family, and purpose. I found Edward Day very interesting. He was very selfless and had a sole purpose to make others happy. He would put bottle caps around his mothers house in her plants after Christmas parties, and the first day he met his wife, after asking her if she wanted a glass of wine, he put her shoes in the freezer. These little things defined who he was and shows extreme character. He wanted to make people laugh and have fun! He had every intention to make people happy and it's extremely unfortunate that something so terrible happened to a genuine person but he left his family and friends with great memories.
Nicole Rotante
Class 6
Just glancing over many of the stories of the victims of 9/11 was very heart breaking. To think that so many innocent people had lost their lives and so many others had lost loved ones gave me a terrible feeling inside. It's hard to think how someone could be so cruel as to take so many innocent lives.
One story I found of 9/11 that I found particularly memorable was that of Michael Paul Ragusa. Ragusa was a fire fighter on duty during the 9/11 attacks and died saving those inside. What I found to be the most painful part of this story was upon hearing what a wonderful person this man really was. After news of his disapperance had spread "dozens of people camped out on his parents' lawn, on their patio furniture and on their living room floor." Obviously many people cared about Michael, and probably because of just how loving he truly was. His friends even had a saying for him, "W.W.M.D.: what would Mikey do?" because his kind actions stuck with all those who were lucky enough to meet him. It's a true tragedy that Mikey was lost that day and many others who hadn't deserved to die.
-Erin Tumney
After looking through multiple portraits of regular people who unfortunately were in the wrong time at the wrong place, I came to the realization that these individual stories are what really impacted our country. The fact that so many people lost a friend or relative that day, and the stories that go along with the loss is what hurt our country as a whole. The debt and the destruction of rare architecture added to the emotional breakage.
I focused on one portrait about Timothy D. Betterly. This man had a family that he left behind when he was killed on 9/11. He was a man described to have a joking personality. He would always mess around with his friends and children, attempting to lighten the mood. He made a great impact on my peoples lives by being the funny man. Not only that, but when he wad younger, he asked a girl with special needs to sit with him and his friends at lunch; which she did, for two years. Timothy had changed that girls life. And he continued to show compassion for his adult years as well. Until 9/11, that is when his humor as well as compassion was brought to a sudden end.
The story of Timothy Betterly impacted me because he was just a common man, a good man, and all of the people close to him now need to suffer, all because of the terrorist attack. It is sad that so many people are effected directly from people who have passed away in those two towers. Of course the country is fearful now because f the attack, but the attack did more then just place fear in our minds. The attacks took someone special from so so many innocent people. That is the main thing I took away from reading so many of this stories.
Kyle Wilcox
These portraits are incredibly telling of some of the terrible experiences people had directly with 9/11. Their emotional, vivid, and influential stories give readers a small idea of just how tragic this event of terrror was. I liked what Maria had to say about the examples from Lauren C. Abel's and Benjamen James Walker's portrait's. This was just someone that talked about their regular daily life and the little things that they did. It became evident that the little things are the things that matter in life and as supported by the portraits that these people wrote about. Ultimately, these were very touching and influential portraits that said a lot about 9/11 and the people that were involved.
Love Kyle Wilcox
After reading many of the small articles, i realized how these innocent lives were taken from their families. these people did not deserve to die. The start of the article about David Halderman grabbed my attention. It started by saying how he would always end his phone conversation with his mother by saying, "love you, take care of yourself." David was a fireman killed in the 9/11 attacks. He was a nine year veteran who was part of Manhattan's 18th fire squad. David was only 40 years old when he parished. he was not self centered and cared about the wellbeing of others.
Every story each has a little bit of some memorable to it. They each have their own significance to a family of people. Such significance i cannot even begin to comprehend. Each family can look back on these and it gives them a little memory of their loved one. It also helps out other families that are in the same situation know that they are not alone. As cruel of a bond it may be, it is a bond that will last forever. A bond that their loved ones died tragically in 9/11.
The one article that stuck out to me most was the article about Christopher Faughnan who was a father that loved his kids. He gave up the car he wanted for a minivan so he could drive them from ballet, to sports, to school and back home. His kids loved him back, telling their mother that he was a hero and that "daddy wouldnt want you to be sad". This type of admiration for a parent at such a young age is remarkable and really stuck out to me.
Fratt
Period 4
( 1 day late because my powers been out since Thursday night.)
sorry its so late my power was out and just came back on.
The portrait that stood out to me was one of a man named Scott Bart. he and his wife met on the 96th tower of the world trade center. that is really sad because i just think about how many memories were ruined for his wife after the 9/11 attacks. The place you meet the person you marry is supposed to be a happy memory that you share for the rest of your lives, but now it has be overshadowed by the attacks and the world trade center will forever be in infamy for her and every happy memory of her and her ex- husband are ruined. thats very depressing to think about.
Brendan McNamara
Class 1
One portrait that interested me right away was Ignatius Udo Adanga: Energy and a Helping Hand. I admit i first clicked on it because of the bizarre nam, but after reading it I was intrigued by the story. This man, born in Nigeria, and moving to Liberia and Germany before coming to the US, sought a better life in America after having hardships in the past. He is described as someone you can always rely on. It is said in the article that, "Mr. Adanga struck those who knew him as energetic rather than restless. He always seemed to have spare time to help family members — his wife, Afiong, and three daughters — friends and co-workers. " I know many people like that and although he's wasn't too young, the thought come to my mind, "Why must the good die young?" or a more appropriate version, simply, "Why must the good die sooner than they should?" Many of the people i read about all had so many positive qualities and wasting them to such a tragic event is truly depressing.
Ben Stoller
Period 1
After reading multiple stories from portraits, I am addicted. I cannot stop reading these varying and wonderful stories. Each one is unique and personal and in ways depressing at the same time. You sometimes forget how many people there are in the world until you hear other people’s stories. One man particularly stood out to me, John Katsimatides. This man lived in NYC, but he was anything but a New Yorker. While most people dress in all black, John would always go for a more- to put it lightly- vibrant colors. From his Jet Ski to his Jeep, everything he owned was a bright, neon color. John was also noted to be humorous and cocky, always making him the life of the party- and everyone’s best friend. I morn for John Katsimatides, because I can just imagine what a great guy he was and how his loss must have impacted many other people’s lives.
Lauren Bauer
class 4
I noticed reading through these portraits that the victims often had dreams fulfilled in their lifetime or that everything was going perfect for them. The portrait I chose was of Robert Hoerner, who was a police officer. As a child he was obsessed with the cap that his police officer neighbor had given him and he new all his life that he wanted to be one. He was a police officer for 27 years before he retired to work security in the World Trade Center. This man died doing what he loved, which makes it very bittersweet. What made this memorable is that his mom said she would come up every year for his birthday on August 30. Her birthday came twelve days later on Sept. 11, the day her son lost his life.
T. Hough period 6
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