09/12/2026
BITTERSWEET sums up life, and yesterday’s memories of that horrific day Twenty-five years ago, September 11th.
Fridays are my day with my great nephew and nieces. I pick them up from school and always ask, “how was your day? What did you learn?” And I always get, “Nothing!” as my answer. So yesterday when I asked Emila, who is 10 years old, “do you know what today is?” She knew, and in detail. I was not only shocked, but SOOO, so proud! Then I had to explain to the younger one what the word Hijacked meant.
For all American patriots, yesterday was a day of reflection, and I could not help but be grateful and feel so lucky for the friends I have made through the Community Mayors. All our volunteers were and are first responders. We lost so many that day, and the years following, and still, so many are dealing with illnesses.
I was on the phone with Nick DeGaeta that morning. I had called to see if he needed me to pick him up for our meeting that evening. Suddenly, he yells a plane hit the twin towers. As I walked to my TV, I am saying, “what moron flew a plane into a building!” As I turned on the news the second plane hit. We hung up without even saying goodbye. It was obvious.
Nicky was not only a decorated FDNY Hero, but he was New York State’s most decorated WWII Hero. Nick was an airborne paratrooper. He first jumped into Africa, captured, and released or escaped, do not remember. He then jumped again in Europe. Ironically, he and Dad met there for the first time, and of course, they remained lifelong friends.
We baby boomers were so lucky to be young when we were!
I pray future generations will feel the same.
God Bless America!