First trip to 9/11 Memorial in New York City left an impression

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Many of you know I spent my birthday on Monday in New York City.

I had a good time.

I love New York, even the crazy cab drivers and the sheer zaniness of Times Square.

I love the bright lights, the big billboards, the sights, the smells, the sounds ... everything. New York City 024

But my wife and I began our visit to New York with a poignant stop at the 9/11 Memorial in the southern part of Manhattan.

We didn't know if we could get in, but we did. As you enter, they really make you go through an extensive security check -- with good reason. I even had to take my belt off before going through the doorway.

Construction continues all around the complex and one day soon it's all going to be a beautiful, spectacular memorial site.

It's a work-in-progress right now, but I did get to see the two huge pools and all of the names of the victims engraved on the black marble walls surrounding the pools.

Having gotten to know Bill and El Sugra over the past 10 years and working with them to help promote their memorial golf tournament, I was determined -- no matter how long it took -- to find the name of Bill Sugra, the super young man who lost his life that sad, sad day.

Finally, after searching and searching, I found it. And in some small way, I hope that by finding his name on that memorial wall, Bill knows that me, my family, everybody back home in the Lehigh Valley ... we're all still thinking about him. He lives on in our hearts. And that he and all of the victims of that tragedy will never, ever be forgotten.New York City 019

Through his parents and that tournament, I feel as though I've gotten to know Bill in the past 10 years and what he was about. My one regret, as is the case with so many of the people who are honored with memoral events, is that I didn't get to know him while he was growing up in Salisbury Township and attending Central Catholic.

I do know enough to know that he'd be very proud, very pleased with what his parents and sister have done in his honor, raising thousands of dollars each year to help others in need.

The Sugras are truly wonderful people and I am so very glad I found his name at the memorial as you looked north to the where the north tower once stood.

Looking at all of those names, one after the other, just had a profound effect on me.

I admit that now, 10-and-a-half years later, it's not something front and center in my mind every day. I am sure it is for Bill and El and everyone who lost a loved one that day.

Sadly, we all get busy and wrapped up in our own lives. But I must tell you that my visit brought it all back home and, if I said it once, I said it 10 times to my wife: "I just can't believe we lost all of these people in one day."

And let me add that as the son of a fireman and also the father of one, I also stopped at a memorial tribute just outside the 911 memorial to pay respects to the brave men and women who rushed to the scene as first responders, just doing their duty and what they were born to do, and who lost their lives that day.

All I can say is that if you have an opportunity to visit the 911 Memorial, you should do so and never forget what happened that day or the thousands of wonderful people who lost their lives for absolutely no reason other than they were Americans going to work, going about their own business, and doing what they could to enhance their lives and help their families.

I was touched by my visit. I think you will be, too.

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/