2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggerswill join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.
We will honor them by remembering their lives,and not by remembering their murderers. 
I have the honor of paying tribute to the life of Matt Grzymalski. Matt was from New Hyde Park New York, he was 34 years old. He had three brothers, one sister and at the time of his death five nephews and two nieces. Matt also had a girlfriend, Kaleen Pezzuti. Tragically she died with Matt as they worked together at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center.
"We are certainly hoping they were holding hands or hugging or wrapped in each other's arms somehow," said Mr. Grzymalski's sister Patti Ann Valerio. At Mr. Grzymalski's memorial Mass, his mother gave Ms. Pezzuti's mother, Kathleen E. Pezzuti of Fair Haven, N.J., a card from Ms. Pezzuti she had found in Mr. Grzymalski's dresser. "My mom was right," she wrote. "Happiness agrees with me. I owe that all to you. I love you, K. XOXO."
"On the night before, on Sept. 10, she spoke to one of her best friends and told her, `He's the one,' " said Mrs. Pezzuti, whose other daughter, Megan, lost her husband in the Sept. 11 attack. "It would have been a really wonderful family."
I am heartbroken that these two great people were killed that day, but maybe there is some comfort for their families that they were together? Small comfort no doubt. I have included a picture of Kaleen along side of Matt's.
I was able to find some additional quotes from friends and family and they are below:
uncle MATT,I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU,AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
*** Posted by nephew,john on 2005-11-08 ***
It's 2 years tomorrow and I just found out. What a tragic loss. Matt was vivacious, full of life and always left you laughing. Heartfelt condolences go to his entire family.
*** Posted by Kathy Solieri Gazdek on 2003-09-10 ***
I remember Matt from the days when we worked together at Fundamental Brokers. I remember that his favorite song on the jukebox was Frank Sinatra singing "Summer Wind."
Mike Clarke, former co-worker
I think about you, me and my brother hangin out all the time, we had some great times together, I dream of my brother all the time, it seems so real,,,, just writing to tell you that I will never forget you, show up in one of my dreams bro , I'd love to give you a hug.Ronnie 80
ronald palazzolo (brothers forever, NY )
Matty, Although we only hung out a hand full of times, I enjoyed every one of them. My cousins, (Ron and Rico) always loved you, and spoke of you often.I would hear many stories from Fern, at FBI, about about your antics, when you two lived together. I laughed at every one of them. I hope you are at peace, and I hope you and my cousin (Rico) are keeping them laughing up there. Trust me my friend, you are greatley missed and loved, I know, I was at your memorial. Rob Casella (Rufus)
Robert Casella (Massapequa, NY )
Rich Bolton (point lookout, NY )
13 comments:
Thanks very much, that means a lot to me. I am very sorry you lost him.
Beautiful tribute!
Beautiful tribute.
What a loss our country has taken in all of these fine people.
What a moving tribute, thanks for sharing :o)
I am honouring Joseph E Maloney.
Beautiful tribute. You brought Matthew and Kaleen to life for me, and left me just a little sadder on this sad day. What sorry that these two were not able to go on and start a family. My heart goes out to their families.
Dinah Webster: A Tribute
I loved the line "My mother was right. Happiness agrees with me." Thanks for a beautiful tribute to a couple whose happiness in this life was cut too short.
Cindy
Thank you for this loving tribute to Matt and including Kaleen with him. My bet is they are together.
Sleep well Matt and Kaleen,
Auntie Lyn
Carl Asaro
Although their deaths were meaningless and vicious, I find a little peace in the fact that they died, what I dream to be, together. We can all only create our own images of what was and because of the horror of that day, I paint this picture of Matt and Kaleen with colors that are a little brighter.
You did a wonderful job Kelly....
Kelly ... thanks for the kind remembrance of my brother, Matt. It might interest you to know that my daughter's name is Kelly and Matt was her godfather ... sorry it took me so long to find these tributes online ... Patti
hi Patti,
thank you for commenting. It must have been strange reading quotes that you said on a strangers journal. I'm very sorry you lost your brother. It was hard to know what to write and to hope you said enough and gave the right info. Cool coincidence that your daughter and I share the same name - my brother's name is Matt too. If you ever come to Seattle drop me an email. Thanks again for the comment - I appreciate it.
None of you know me. I rented a share house in the Hamptons with Matt for several summers. I knew him as Grizzly. My memories of him are of us sitting by the pool, beer in hand, enjoying the sun. He often gave up his bed for the weekend to sleep on a chair or couch so those who had no bed (not their weekend to get a bed) could sleep comfortably. I work on LI in the bond field and he often talked of Cantor fondly and even said he would help me get an interview if I chose to make the big commute to the city. I thought he was one of the kindest and most down to earth people I've ever met. God bless him and his family. I know this is the most painful thing a family can go thru and I wish you well in his recovery. I hope he and Kaleen will rest in peace together forever. He is truy missed.
On this 12th Anniversary of 9/11 I had the honor of wearing Matthew James Grzymalski name over my heart as I represented him at the 2 MILLION BIKERS ride in Washington D.C. All riders were offered the chance to wear a victims name to honor them.
God Bless
Frank F
Milford, DE
Thank you Frank. His friends and family surely appreciate their loved one being remembered.
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