September 11: We Honor the Lost Today

September 11, 2001 will always have an effect on us all. So many innocent lives. Such a senseless tragedy.

Today, I’m going to be quieter, out of respect. I will probably never shake the grief I had about this day. I will always shed tears this day. But I will say this.

Thank you to first responders.

Thank you John Tipping III for your sacrifice and so many of your brother firefighters, police officers and brave Americans. You were heroes.

John was my neighbor my Sophomore year at SUNY Oneonta and a great guy. He and his roommate used to live in our suite in MacDuff Hall, because they had no furniture and we kept our place stocked with food. I hadn’t seen him for a long time, but I will always remember his ready smile and constant jokes.

And thank you to my good friend Bill Foronjy, Jr., who was a first responder. He came up from Virginia to help, because that was the kind of guy that he was. Bill passed away on December 17, 2007 from a serious lung condition (Sarcoidosis) and left behind a wonderful wife. I think of Bill constantly and will always miss him. Coincidentally September 11th was also his birthday, so since 1990, that day had been only known to me as Bill Foronjy’s birthday. It’s funny, but I can still hear his voice in my head (so raspy) and picture the comments he would make about things.

And I still miss him.

So, whatever you choose to do and say today, keep in mind that other people may be grieving.