Fellow Americans
RIP Tim Welty. FDNY Squad 288 in Maspeth, Queens. Husband, father of two, carpenter, skier, bungee-jumper, fearless individualist . . . usher at my wedding.
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.” — John F. Kennedy
Derek said,
September 11, 2011 at 12:05 pm
MY loss was a close friend name Mark Broderick who lost his life that day and it angers me and my heart goes out to his widow and his kids. Talk about evil conquering our city. In my city we lost Joh Lennon and then 9/11 was a very traumatic year for me I lost a friend .
artmodel said,
September 12, 2011 at 12:08 am
Derek,
So sorry for the loss of your friend. Thank you for sharing your feelings here. Peace to you.
Claudia
Andrew said,
September 11, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Being on the west coast, I did not experience the trauma and loss of 9/11/01 as closely as my friends in NY, but I do vividly remember watching the second plane hit live on CNN. Later I found out an acquaintance was on board that plane. Once the planes crashed at the Pentagon and in PA I wondered what would be next. L.A. and Chicago would be other plausible targets. A scary day for sure.
artmodel said,
September 12, 2011 at 12:12 am
Andrew,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. We here in NY felt the profound support and sympathies of everyone across this vast, beautiful country. Yes, it was a very scary, confusing, harrowing day.
Claudia
*J said,
September 12, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Claudia, thank you so much for sharing. I’ve seen that video several times, it’s always hard to watch, but so very important. My husband was in DC on 9/11, less than a mile from the pentagon. I was on the phone with him when the plane hit… I heard it through the line. I thought, for a moment, that it was coming from inside his own building. I’m so glad I was wrong.
There are thousands of stories of people who lived, who were saved by some chance happening. Some of my friends and family share those stories. But no matter how many stories of salvation there are, I still wish there were 3000 more. I’m very sorry you lost Tim that day.
artmodel said,
September 13, 2011 at 7:25 pm
J,
Thank you so much for sharing your 911 experiences and thoughts. That must have been so frightening hearing the Pentagon plane crash while on the phone with your husband.
Thanks also for what you said about Tim. He was a true adrenalin junkie. as they say. Adventurous, athletic, funny as hell. He was literally afraid of nothing. When the towers came crashing down on him that was probably the first time he ever felt real fear. On that day, Tim had a four year old son and a one month old girl.
I am moved by your heartfelt comments and appreciate them tremendously. Thanks again J.
Claudia
Jennifer said,
September 15, 2011 at 6:51 am
We watched a program on TV about the firefighters who fought the fire and so many who died. It really brings it home to see a photo of one you knew so well and who died so young, leaving behind family and friends. Such a tragedy and a waste of so much life.
artmodel said,
September 16, 2011 at 12:22 am
Jennifer,
Thank you so much. 9-11 was a tragic, traumatic day for the NYC Fire Department. The bravery they demonstrated that day has become legendary. Immortalized. You saw it in the program I’m sure.
Thanks for acknowledging TIm. Unique guy to put it mildly. Totally memorable. He and I danced a lot together at my wedding
For years after 9-11, he was still categorized as “missing”. Not even sure if that’s been changed.
Claudia