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CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 11:53 AM Sep 2018

Today, I honor my son.

On 9/11 he was a student at Brooklyn Law School. It was his day off. He saw the news and went up to the roof of his apartment where he saw the twin towers come down. He said he cried.

So he decided he would do what he could to help. He rented a truck and drove it down to lower Manhattan where he was able to get through to ask the first responders how he could help them. They said they needed bags of ice to put out the embers still burning so that they could save more people. He drove to every bar and restaurant he could find and asked for ice. As you can imagine it was very hot, there was a lot of confusion and most people were in a state of shock.

So he did his part and for that I am so proud of him today.

48 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Today, I honor my son. (Original Post) CTyankee Sep 2018 OP
You raised a wonderful son CTyankee! MoonRiver Sep 2018 #1
He works for the Brooklyn DA's office now an a project that frees prisoners who were CTyankee Sep 2018 #5
How awesome! MoonRiver Sep 2018 #7
He's married to a wonderful woman and they have a really sweet little boy. CTyankee Sep 2018 #9
I agree with that! MoonRiver Sep 2018 #11
I thank him and am proud of him too. GemDigger Sep 2018 #2
Amen! We all are proud of his unselfish actions, as well as concerns for those negatively impacted. SWBTATTReg Sep 2018 #8
Yes, indeed. Scarsdale Sep 2018 #44
Give your son a great big "thank you" and hug (if possible). lark Sep 2018 #3
Very kind. My brother lived near the Pentagon when the plane hit there. Liberty Belle Sep 2018 #4
There are such good hearted people like your brother who see what needs to be done and do it. CTyankee Sep 2018 #6
Wow...it is events like this, I feel that define one's character...the character your brother ... SWBTATTReg Sep 2018 #10
Wonderful post TEB Sep 2018 #12
Thank you, TEB. I am so proud of him every day... CTyankee Sep 2018 #14
What a wonderful Son you have! Dem_4_Life Sep 2018 #13
Thanks. I would encourage him to run for office but I don't think he would be interested altho CTyankee Sep 2018 #15
Hugs to you both lillypaddle Sep 2018 #16
You must be very proud snacker Sep 2018 #17
You must have a wonderful son! onecent Sep 2018 #18
What a wonderful story! Thanks to your son. nolabear Sep 2018 #19
Stories like this are heartwarming, because they show how just asking the question "how" LisaM Sep 2018 #20
He said that the bars and restaurants were more than happy to help. CTyankee Sep 2018 #22
Wow---what a great son you have CT. panader0 Sep 2018 #21
You have a right to be proud. Your son deserves bronxiteforever Sep 2018 #23
One of the heros. You must be proud. defacto7 Sep 2018 #24
What a GREAT kid! You raised a true patriot, CTyankee! calimary Sep 2018 #25
Thank you, Calimary. CTyankee Sep 2018 #26
That is awesome. Dave Starsky Sep 2018 #27
You gave me chill! SallyHemmings Sep 2018 #28
When we were evacuated for fires here Mr.Bill Sep 2018 #29
Tears and goosebumps here. lamp_shade Sep 2018 #30
Wonderful malaise Sep 2018 #31
I'll see him pretty soon I hope (for the booksigning event when my book is published). CTyankee Sep 2018 #32
You finished the book on art? malaise Sep 2018 #33
Oh, sure. They were already finished and published right here on DU! CTyankee Sep 2018 #35
Thanks malaise Sep 2018 #36
We honor him, too! He was self-possessed and resourceful when most people pnwmom Sep 2018 #34
Well done, son. 3catwoman3 Sep 2018 #37
Thanks for posting... Sugarcoated Sep 2018 #38
k&r Demovictory9 Sep 2018 #39
K&R for visibility! Niagara Sep 2018 #40
Your son is a wonderful human. Good job, mom. OhioBlue Sep 2018 #41
K&R... spanone Sep 2018 #42
K&R for your son, CTyankee! Rhiannon12866 Sep 2018 #43
Like Mr. Rogers advised, your son looked for the helpers... catrose Sep 2018 #45
Thanks. CTyankee Sep 2018 #46
What a lovely story! You are so deserving of every ounce of pride in this wonderful man! secondwind Sep 2018 #47
What a terrific young man! VOX Sep 2018 #48

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
5. He works for the Brooklyn DA's office now an a project that frees prisoners who were
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 11:59 AM
Sep 2018

unfairly sent to prison for long sentences by a former over zealous DA. He's very happy in his work.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
9. He's married to a wonderful woman and they have a really sweet little boy.
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 12:07 PM
Sep 2018

I'd say his dad is a great role model.

SWBTATTReg

(21,859 posts)
8. Amen! We all are proud of his unselfish actions, as well as concerns for those negatively impacted.
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 12:04 PM
Sep 2018

Proud and a true American, more so than the beast/monster in the WH.

Scarsdale

(9,426 posts)
44. Yes, indeed.
Wed Sep 12, 2018, 10:17 AM
Sep 2018

We honor your son today, also. You and hubby obviously did something right!! He turned out to be a tribute to your parenting. Congratulations.

lark

(23,003 posts)
3. Give your son a great big "thank you" and hug (if possible).
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 11:58 AM
Sep 2018

WE need more people like him who rise up and do what's needed, even in desperate circumstance. I salute his service and caring heart.

Liberty Belle

(9,528 posts)
4. Very kind. My brother lived near the Pentagon when the plane hit there.
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 11:58 AM
Sep 2018

He came outside and brought water bottles to the firefighters and first responders working so hard to fight the fire and save lives.

He said there were plane parts strewn all over.

Ironically he was off on disability, or he would have been killed - his office was in the Pentagon in the area that was struck.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
6. There are such good hearted people like your brother who see what needs to be done and do it.
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 12:00 PM
Sep 2018

They don't hesitate.

SWBTATTReg

(21,859 posts)
10. Wow...it is events like this, I feel that define one's character...the character your brother ...
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 12:08 PM
Sep 2018

displays is unimpeachable and outstanding. Thanks for your service in our country's time of great need. And thank you for sharing this magnificent story w/ us here on DU.

Take care, and pass along my admiration and thanks...well done!

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
15. Thanks. I would encourage him to run for office but I don't think he would be interested altho
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 12:28 PM
Sep 2018

he would certainly be a breath of fresh air. He's a strong Democrat. Of course.

snacker

(3,619 posts)
17. You must be very proud
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 12:51 PM
Sep 2018

What a kindhearted story. Thank you for sharing...and thank your son for his compassion.

LisaM

(27,762 posts)
20. Stories like this are heartwarming, because they show how just asking the question "how"
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 01:18 PM
Sep 2018

you can do a lot of good in a small way. Not only did he act on his own good angels, he helped the firefighters and gave the people in the bars and restaurants a task so that they, too, could find some way to pitch in and help. People want to be useful. It's in our DNA.

Good on him.

calimary

(80,700 posts)
25. What a GREAT kid! You raised a true patriot, CTyankee!
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 02:06 PM
Sep 2018

And a really wonderful, thoughtful, considerate kid, too.

Dave Starsky

(5,914 posts)
27. That is awesome.
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 02:59 PM
Sep 2018

You never know how you can help out. Thanks for that. I honor your son today, too.

Just show up and do what you can. That's what it's all about. Show up and do.

Mr.Bill

(24,104 posts)
29. When we were evacuated for fires here
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 03:56 PM
Sep 2018

my wife, who is 68 years old headed immediately to the shelter set up at the high school to help out. She is a retired RN and a former certified Red Cross Disaster Worker. It was just automatic for her, even at her age. I went with her, and even though I have no training in this field, they found something for me to do. I helped with all the pets who were there, mainly walking people's dogs for them.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
32. I'll see him pretty soon I hope (for the booksigning event when my book is published).
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 05:05 PM
Sep 2018

If that doesn't work out I'll see him at Thanksgiving.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
35. Oh, sure. They were already finished and published right here on DU!
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 07:38 PM
Sep 2018

My daughter was going to help me self publish it and got really busy doing other projects (she is in garden design and was trying to start her own business. She recently did a project for Fenway Park in Boston).

Now she can get back to my book. It sounds like it will be fabulous and I'm so excited!

Do you want a copy? If you do, PM me with your address and I'll send you a copy!

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
34. We honor him, too! He was self-possessed and resourceful when most people
Tue Sep 11, 2018, 05:32 PM
Sep 2018

were still in shock.

Thank goodness for people like your son.

OhioBlue

(5,126 posts)
41. Your son is a wonderful human. Good job, mom.
Wed Sep 12, 2018, 12:23 AM
Sep 2018

and thank you so much for sharing. As others have mentioned, not only did he take it upon himself to learn how to help, he also gave others an opportunity to help too. Your son is a true leader. It's in his DNA.

Rhiannon12866

(203,025 posts)
43. K&R for your son, CTyankee!
Wed Sep 12, 2018, 01:06 AM
Sep 2018

And thanks so much for sharing his 9/11 story! He sure sounds like a hero to me!

catrose

(5,050 posts)
45. Like Mr. Rogers advised, your son looked for the helpers...
Wed Sep 12, 2018, 12:03 PM
Sep 2018

in the mirror.

I would be proud of such a son too.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
46. Thanks.
Wed Sep 12, 2018, 12:10 PM
Sep 2018

Here's a story of an incredible coincidence. Our good friend's son in law was also at Ground Zero. He was a NYC cop who was dispatched to Ground Zero after the attack. He left to go home and take off his police uniform and to change into his Army Reservist one. I called him yesterday and we talked about what "service" meant.

It makes you stop and think.

VOX

(22,976 posts)
48. What a terrific young man!
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 12:07 AM
Sep 2018

A very selfless act, right down to renting the truck. He delivered hope in the literal darkness.

Proud you should be!

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