Final Protective Fire

Sunday, September 07, 2003

 

As we approach the second anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, I'm searching for a way to expound on my feelings. Delroy Murdoch has a piece on NRO that highlighted some things.

Some lines from Murdoch's piece explaining what some families of those lost in the World Trade Center have to memorialize their lost loved ones:
Captain Brian Hickey led seven of Rescue Company 3's men into Tower Two. None survived. After awaiting his body's recovery for eight months, Hickey's family instead buried a coffin bearing his helmet. Only perspiration residue on its sweatband and a few hairs tied the headgear to the 47-year-old father of four. Later, the medical examiner classified a one-inch square bone fragment as Hickey's. His family interred it in lieu of his helmet.

Another family: "The only thing ever recovered from [his son's unit] was Lt. Anthony Jovic's badge. They found his brass badge that November or December. That's the only thing ever recovered from the entire company of five guys."

And this comment from Robert Shaler, New York's chief forensic biologist:I'm still driven by the families ... When I see these people, they look at me with eyes that say, 'Did you find her yet?'

Robin 8:18 PM