In 2012, I started a new personal tradition for the National Day of Remembrance. I had visited the National September 11 Memorial when I was in Manhattan for BlogHer ’12, and was extremely moved by the experience (massive understatement). It occurred to me that, rather than passively watch the televised tributes and read what the rest of the internet had to say about 9/11, each year I would involve myself by actively remembering and learning about a couple of the victims of that terrible day.
Patrick Currivan, 52, was a passenger on Flight 11. He was a Vice President at Atos-Euronext and an avid traveler who also loved opera and art. He was born in Dublin, Ireland. His sister (Helen Redden) is quoted as saying, “He was a very generous person, and very clever. He would frequently arrive in Ireland with his suitcase bulging with gifts of wine, champagne and chocolates. We are all going to miss him terribly. It’s incomprehensible.”
Donald Arthur Peterson and Jean Hoadley Peterson of Spring Lake, New Jersey were on Flight 93, on their way to a vacation at Yosemite National Park. He was the retired President of Continental Electric Company in New Jersey, and she had worked as a Registered Nurse and nursing instructor, and was a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician. They kept busy in retirement by doing lots of volunteering and crisis counseling.
David Ortiz was a locksmith at the World Trade Center. He was a First Responder who was missing after he stayed behind to make sure people didn’t go back into 4 World Trade Center. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing with his fourteen-year-old son and renovating his new home in Rockland County, New York. In addition to their son, he and his wife Lillian had a six-year-old daughter.
If you would like to do some learning and remembering today, here’s how. All you have to do is go to the September 11 Memorial website’s Memorial Guide and scroll down a little bit. On the bottom left of the screen you can click on North Pool or South Pool for a name listing. After that, pick a couple out and Google them. That’s it. It’s such a small task but so important, and the families appreciate any interest in their lost loved ones. THIS is something anyone can do.
If you would like to read about my visit to the September 11 Memorial in 2012, click here.
Hug your loved ones today. Always Remember, Never Forget.
6 Comments
alexandra
This is a heartbreaking beautiful tradition. I am going to start it this morning with my children. Thank you, Melisa.
Alexandra Rosas
Today we learned about Sophia B. Addo. Say their name.
Lisa Page Rosenberg
What a lovely tribute. Thank you for this new tradition. xo
Alexandra @ My Urban Family
This is a very sweet tradition. Thank you for sharing!
Liz
<3
Elaine A.
Thank you for this. You inspired me to add to a post I wrote this morning…