Rememberance
After the tragic events at the the World Trade Centre, a wonderful project was started to remember the poor souls who lost their lives.
Every year since it happened, Project 2996 has called for the names of people willing to do a tribute for the victims individually.
I’ve never put my name down, more because I felt I couldn’t put what needed to be said into words than for any other reason.
It was certainly not for lack of desire.
This year, after a comment made by a friend while we were chatting, I changed my mind and offered to help.
As a result of that offer, I was honoured to be given the name Daniel (Hal) Crisman, and I’m privileged to introduce him here.
Danny, as his mother called him, was a mere 25 years when he was ripped from his loving family, and his girlfriend, Danielle Zazula.
He was a soft spoken young man with a contagious smile, who had the knack of putting people immediately at ease when he met them.
His interests were many and varied, including, but not limited to, art, guitar and poetry.
It was through the latter he met Danielle at a workshop where they read some of their work.
Daniel was an avid reader, loved the outdoors and embraced life with open arms.
From the small town of South Montrose, PA, he left for the bright lights of New York where he obtained a temporary position at Marsh and McLennan.
This lead to being offered permanent employment with the company as a training instructor, which he willingly accepted with a feeling of accomplishment.
Daniel was one of 295 company employees who were killed on that fateful day, September 11, 2001.
I know little of this young man, other than what you see here, however looking at his interests and the way he is spoken of, I’m sure he was a remarkable young man who had much to live for, and touched the lives of many people in his short time on this earth.
My heart goes out to his family and girlfriend for their loss.
As a parent I can only imagine being in the position Daniel’s parents found themselves.
The loss of any life is tragic, but the loss of one so young, with his whole life ahead of him is particularly heart breaking.
I feel enormously privileged having been allowed to introduce Daniel.
Please think of not only him, but the other 2995 people who were taken in such a cruel manner 8 years ago today.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard what had happened.
As days passed and the toll continued to rise, names were released,and at the time, they were just names to me.
Every year I think about these innocents who were going about their everyday lives, as a group.
That’s changed now.
From today, I will remember one of them by name, every September 11.
I will remember Daniel Crisman.
Always…..
Daniel, it’s been my pleasure to meet, and honour you, with my small contribution
Categories: Rememberance, Tributes
7 Comments »
« Malarky Monday | Home | DILLIGAF »
September 11th, 2009 at 10:17 am
The line where you say “they were just names to me” is so sad.Each person who died as a result of the insanity that went on that day was a person.
Each person was connected to so many others.
They left behind mothers,fathers,siblings,children,pets,grandparents,grandchildren, aunts,uncles,cousins, friends and the list goes on and on.
So many sad sad people were left behind on that day. None of them will ever be the same. They need our prayers and our friendship.
Their are some troubling things that go on in this life. Bad people suck.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I am so happy to see that you did this tribute.
I agree, another creative soul lost to the senseless abyss.
Daniel’s soul thanks you as does his family.
He is free and with the angels.
Can’t ask for much more.
Didn’t you just receive a special candle?
Seems like a pretty damn good time to light it.
Wonderful tribute, Maureen.
Simply wonderful.
Amazes me that there are some Americans that wouldn’t do a tribute.
You, my dear, are a special one.
~m
September 11th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
As someone who lives very near to Daniel’s birthplace and knows of his family, his loss was a particularly tough one to take. Losing all 2,996 souls was horrendous, but when you see, up close, the devastation a loss causes, it tears your heart out. I didn’t know Daniel personally, but have heard from many of those who did. He was just starting that permanent job, had seen his dream of living among those bright lights of NYC and in the blink of an eye he was gone.
Do not forget Daniel, or any of the others lost on that horrific day. Remember.
September 12th, 2009 at 12:24 am
You did good Moe.
Thank you for making Daniel a person and not just another name.
September 12th, 2009 at 10:26 am
I agree, it is sad, and I also agree that each name was a person with a family left to grieve…it wasn’t until I started looking closely at Project 2996 that it really hit home, and this being the first year I’ve participated, it’s hit me harder than other years, because it drives home that they were people, they did have families, and they were total innocents in a mad man’s plot….
More people need to get behind this thing and make people remember, otherwise, they’ll be like I used to be, and only see them as a group and not think about those left behind to grieve over the loss they suffered…
I also found it sad that {the last time I looked} there were only just over a 1000 people offered to do a tribute….that made me shake my head…something such as this needs constant momentum, and it seems like it’s losing a little….
September 12th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I appreciate every comment made on this post, but it’s comments such as these that mean the most.
I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to not only find this post, but to comment as well….it means a lot….
Maureen
September 12th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I’m not sure how to respond to this other than thank you….coming from you, I’m quite open mouthed….
{{{hugs}}}
Moe