Explicitly Ambiguous

Read “No 9/11 kin will witness Gitmo arraignments, thanks to DoD and a NY Daily News ‘reporter’” posted over at 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America and kindly explain to me how Debra Burlingame, who is a Democrat, is a GOP loyalist as is claimed in the NY Daily News article.

Yet the Jersey Girl who is quoted is not a political hack. Remember the Jersey Girls? They were tooling around with John Kerry claiming he was going to save the world from the evil Bush.

Oh wait a minute. I know why she’s a “GOP loyalist”.

Perhaps it’s because Ms. Burlingame understands something the NY Daily News media hack author of the article and the Jersey Girls will never comprehend.

It’s simple really. That the people who hijacked the planes on September 11th were responsible for the deaths of their loved ones. Not the government nor any shadowy conspiracy of the government.

Yesterday Richard and I spent some time watching videos at the Screw Loose Change Video site. Having never seen Loose Change we were shocked at the level of ignorance displayed by people who like to brag about their intelligence. I have enough sense to know the difference between a controlled demolition and a building collapse. I’d decided long ago that the truther movement was all about self aggrandizement, money, and hatred of Bush. It really is all about them. They don’t give a damn about truth or the victims.

Tonight the Discovery Times channel will be showing the Falling Man documentary. (The link is to an article of the same name at Esquire by an author featured in the documentary.) We’ll be watching it. I’m interested in it after having originally seen the article years ago.

From the Washington Times:

A newly released inspector general report backs eyewitness accounts of suspicious behavior by 13 Middle Eastern men on a Northwest Airlines flight in 2004 and reveals several missteps by government officials, including failure to file an incident report until a month after the matter became public.

Well, well, well… looks like Annie Jacobsen isn’t a racist as some thought.

If the government keeps screwing around for fear of hurting someone’s feelings (if the truth be told it’s more a fear of legal action) they’re going to get people killed.

Or as I’ve come to think of them, my boys.

The original 2996 site is now back up. You can visit the list of participants here

If you can’t reach the 2996 site you can use my master list of tributes linked below. The list comes from gregoryengel of the 2996 yahoo group. Thanks. When we get further past 9/11 I’ll get an updated list of tributes.

2996 List of Tributes

Thanks again to thewanderingauthor for all the help!

Michael Edward Roberts
Age: 31
Residence: New York, NY, United States
Occupation: Firefighter, Engine 214, New York Fire Department
Location: World Trade Center

Michael came from a firefighting family. His Uncle Bob and Michael’s Father John were both firefighters. The badge, No.6611, carried by his Uncle was passed to his Brother, John, Michael’s Father, and then passed on to Michael.

At that point the badge was a family heirloom. His Mother, Veronica, suggested that Michael put the badge in a vault and get another to use everyday. He didn’t. In four years of firefighting he never lost it.

After that tragic day the badge was mistakenly given to the family of another Michael Edward Roberts who died that day. The families eventually met and exchanged the badges.

Michael was an extraordinary man in many ways. He volunteered to work holidays for other men who had families. As a big brother he pushed his younger sister to finish college. She did.

The thing that touched me the most while researching about Michael was the guestbook entries left by his Mother Veronica. Maybe it’s a “mom” thing but I wept while I read the writings of a Mother who loves and misses her son. A Mother who is an example of a truth in life.

A Mother’s love never ends. Her son is a hero and she’s a heroine because she keeps his memory alive. To truly know what Michael was like and how he affected those around him who loved him and knew him you need to read the guestbook entries. Especially those of his precious beautiful Mother.

Guestbook Entries Here

On a personal note.. Veronica if I could I would give you a big hug. Your love for your Son has touched me in a way I don’t have the words to describe. I will never forget your precious Son and I will always have a place in my heart for you. It has been an honor to write about your son and to see him thru your eyes.

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References and more information on Michael Edward Roberts:

Keepers of Sorrow a poem a close friend of Michaels wrote (PDF file)
FDNY Fire-fighter
Michael Edward Roberts 15/07/1970 – 11/09/2001 ‘A Tribute’

(If you read the link above you see a song referenced, Christmas New York, you can go to this link. Scroll down and listen to the song.

Wheaton College graduate Jason D. Oswald, 28, moved to New York City from Chicago in June to be near his girlfriend, Nancy Prentis, and soon found a high-powered job. Oswald, who has a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Texas, started working in July at Cantor Fitzgerald Securities on the 101st floor of Tower Two in the trade center.

“I think he thought it was exciting to be living on the Upper East Side and working in the World Trade Center,” said Oswald’s longtime friend and former roommate Jonathan Swindle.

At 8:30 Tuesday morning, Oswald met Prentis for coffee in Manhattan then said goodbye to her and headed for work.

Swindle recalled Oswald on Friday as a humble but “incredibly smart person” who was unbeatable at Trivial Pursuit and could do New York Times crossword puzzles in a snap.

The last time Swindle saw Oswald was on Labor Day weekend at a cabin in Wisconsin. It’s the first they had talked about Oswald’s working on the 101st floor at the World Trade Center.

“We commented that it was an amazing place to have an office,” Swindle said.

That Sunday Swindle woke at 6 a.m. and looked down at dock. There was a mist over the lake, and the tall, slender Oswald was standing alone at end of dock with a fishing hat on his head and a pole in his hand, waiting for a fish to bite.

Link

Jason’s Guestbook at Legacy

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I apologize to any family and friends of Jason’s that may see this tribute.
At this point I’m in the middle of two family emergencies and am for lack of a better word.. overwrought emotionally.
I don’t think I can handle the emotion that would come from working to finish his. Richard has valiantly offered to work on it for me.
When it’s finished the completed tribute will be posted here.

33
Native of Sheffield, England
Cantor Fitzgerald, 105th floor, WTC

Nigel was described as “the coolest British guy you ever met” by friend Nicholas. Frank a co-worker described him like this “”Nigel was a class act,” Frank said. “He was a quality guy in a world where a lot of people were in it for themselves. He treated people with respect. He was a jovial guy who had a real sense of fun.” He enjoyed playing the role of displaced Brit but he also enjoyed playing New Yorker. He was addicted to “The Sopranos” and could recite lyrics of rap artist Jay-Z. When home in England he would talk about his “crib” and his “homeys” back in New York.

Nigel had a twin brother Neal. They found themselves in New York after Neal Thompson was transferred there by NatWest in 1995 and Nigel Thompson by Cantor Fitzgerald in 1996.

“Many mornings and evenings, to work out and to reflect, Nigel Bruce Thompson walked across the Brooklyn Bridge from his Brooklyn Heights apartment to 1 World Trade Center, where he was a senior broker at Cantor Fitzgerald.

At age 33, Mr. Thompson was a newlywed who would have celebrated his first anniversary on Oct. 21.

His wife, Rosana, recalled being smitten with Mr. Thompson when they met in 1997 because he was handsome and had an off-color, British sense of humor. He proposed on bended knee over Peking duck”

Nigel and his wife Rosana were married at Trinity Church on October 21, 2000 and made their home in Brooklyn Heights.

You can view a guestbook for Nigel here

After you read the guestbook you’ll realize how the world was lessened by his death. You’ll not be forgotten, Nigel, by your family, friends, or those of us who have read about your life.

References:
1
2

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I apologize for the brevity of this tribute. In some cases there is very little out there about the victim. It’s heartbreaking to be unable to write a more detailed tribute. I wish I could find more because he sounds like a really great guy. If you know more about Nigel please let me know and I’ll include it here.

Hometown: Riverdale, NY
Euro Brokers Inc, 2WTC, 84th Floor
Age: 37

Michael was raised in Whitestone, Queens with three sisters and one brother. Mike attended high school in Florida, where he played on the basketball team. He moved back to New York and briefly attended Manhattan College before starting work on Wall Street.

Michael had just turned 37 on September 8. He enjoyed playing basketball and just recently learned how to sail. He was on top of the world, happy with his life and his successful career. He was realizing the American dream. Michael was a broker for the Repo desk at Euro Brokers since July 1999. He loved his job and adored looking out on the Statue of Liberty while he worked.

He married his wife on October 27, 2000. She claims that from the moment she met Michael she was drawn to his “soul”. All people were drawn to him—he had that special something that made you want to be near him. He was always smiling. Monica feels very blessed to have had him in her life for the past two years and she reminded him daily that he was the best husband ever. She tenderly points out, “We never spent a night apart; we were together all the time. We made a great team, ‘M&M’. He made me his life and I will always treasure that.”

Michael was compassionate and always willing to help others. He lived his life to the fullest; he did not have a fear of dying. His wife especially misses his wonderful voice, his big blue eyes, his laugh and his smile. She says that, “I loved everything about him. I was proud to be his wife and I know he was as happy and in love as I was.” Of course, she was looking forward to growing old with him and to starting a family in the near future.

Monica believes Michael will be waiting to greet her in the next life—where they can spend eternity together. Until then, she will rejoice in his memory. She believes that she is blessed to have a wonderful guardian angel at her side. She is certain that he is at peace and surrounded by family and friends as he was here on earth.

Whenever she closes her eyes she can still see him smiling at her telling her to have a good day, and that he loved her, on their last morning together. She affectionately affirms, “I will try Michael. Until we are together again, I will try.”

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A small portion of a beautiful guestbook entry left by his wife, Monica:

“..I know he will be waiting to greet me in the next life—where we can spend eternity together. Until then, I will rejoice in his memory. I am blessed to have a wonderful guardian angel at my side. I know that he is at peace and surrounded by family and friends as he was here on earth.

When I close my eyes I still see him smiling at me telling me to have a good day, I love you, on our last morning together. I will try Michael. Until we are together again, I will try.”

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“He died as he lived, caring for people - helping a distraught staff member deal with the horror of the first plane’s attack. He lives in our hearts and in our memories as the gentle young man who cared deeply for others.”

*** Posted by Gerard Iken on 2004-03-15 ***

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Some guestbook entries for Michael:

“..I knew Mike in high school and I was shocked to find out he was a victim. He was a very good person and my thoughts and prayers will be with you..” –Sharon

“..with the rest of america i wept on sept 11 at the tragic losses to us and for all the families who had lost a loved one. i was shocked to see mike’s picture on the televison and to realize that i knew him in high school. i am sure that it is him, his blue eyes are unmistakable. he was always kind and friendly in high school and it is comforting to know that he remained that way and that he found someone as yourself to love him. god bless you a keep you.” –Marilyn

“..Michael and I grew up together and went to grammer school together. His mother and mine were best friends.I saw you on the news and it broke my heart. Michael was the little brother i never had..” –Kathleen

“..I played basketball on Monday evenings with Michael for several years at Xavier High School. He was a great player, but an even better man.
I am so sorry for your loss.” –Bernard

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Michael’s wife founded the September’s Mission Foundation

From their mission statement:

“September’s Mission is to support the development of a memorial park on the former World Trade Center site that ties into the overall redevelopment of Lower Manhattan, and to ensure its future sustainability through public/private partnerships.”

You can make donations at the site.

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Reference links and links to more on Michael:

Euro Brokers Memorial Site: Michael Iken’s Entry
Spouse of unfound victim dedicates life to memorial
One Night to Touch the Stars

After participating in the 2996 project I know that if they do it next year I’ll want to be a part of it. It was hard. Really hard. I’ve always felt that those of us who watched what happened that day are living witnesses to what happened. It really slapped me in the face this morning that it’s true.

This morning we, my Richard and I, watched MSNBC’s living history coverage. A replay of their broadcast on that day. As the towers fell it hit me that I had watched Richard Fraser die on that day. I lost it. I ended up having to lie down for awhile because I don’t really want to stroke out and leave MY son.

Until you realize what was stolen from the world that day it doesn’t really sink in. That’s the beauty of the 2996 project. We tried to tell their stories. To show them not as a number, not as a name on a list, or as a photo. It’s hard to put into words how it makes you feel to have worked on this. I know for me it has not only made Richard Fraser a person it’s made all of them REAL.

People use the word “weeping”.. I know what that word means now.

I can’t read anymore. My heart is aching. I have to walk away for the night and hug Joshua. But when I do I’ll be remembering another little boy, a little younger than Joshua, who doesn’t have a Daddy to hug him.

NEVER AGAIN

Bereaved families mourn for 24 Japanese victims of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks