too many names on too many walls

Every now and then I am hit with stark reminders. Today for example, the 25th anniversary of my friend John's murder during the first World Trade Center bombing. John was a a dental supply salesman who used to come to my building in Commack, NY on Tuesday's to sell his stuff to the oral surgeons on the third floor. John knew me as he was from Valley Stream and I was from Elmont. We actually met in the men's room and recognized each other. John would drop by for my "excellent coffee", as he would say and spend ten minutes and leave. He was taking care of his very old mother and was very proud to tell me he met the love of his life a few months before.. I knew his sales route in the city and knew he parked at the WTC and then took the subway to his clients. when I saw the news on the ticker in my office, I felt the icy cold fingers of death touch my back. He is on two walls now.

My godson, Peter F. Mirabile, Emergency Med Tech, died while undergoing bone marrow transplant at the Mayo clinic. He received his units highest honors for courage. He left us at 18 in uniform and was helping others the few days before he flew to Detroit. I didn't know how much he knew about his chances but he left the family a note if he didn't make it home. We gave him an Inspectors Funeral. He is on the wall.

Childhood friend Bruce Gary of Elmont. Like John D, Bruce and I were all cut from the same cloths. Our parents were tough hard working immigrant families whose fathers didn't spare us any quarter. We all got into trouble and Bruce, all 5 ft 3 or 4 of him, got sent away and then went to Viet Nam. Bruce went on to be a Captain in the NYFD (see the book Firehouse about his exploits]. Suffice it to say Capt Bruce took an empty rig down Fifth Ave on 911 and picked up waving off duty fireman on the way. The number on the rig I heard was 55.

Bruce arrived on scene, eschewing his own safety, drove near tower one to rescue his fallen comrades when the building fell on him. And yes, Bruce is on the wall too.

I have a lot more friends on the walls. My uncle by marriage Sal Santoros' son who was awarded the Silver Star for bravery as a medic; my mentor Charlie Pape's son, Jr., for his defense of the nation Viet Nam 1970

Too many names on too many walls.....