9/11/01

We will not waver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail." - George W. Bush 10/7/2001.  I am proud to be an American.  I have written these 9/11 tributes for Project 2,996,  as my way of paying respect to my fellow Americans.  All of them made me cry, many pissed me off - these people should still be here.  It was incredibly moving to read personal messages to loved ones.... I miss you...Happy Birthday...I bought a new house....I had a baby...I think of you everyday...please come back.
The most heartwretching message I saw was from a son to his FDNY father, it could have been on every single one of them: I would give anything to have you back.  
The ache for loved ones to return, I can't imagine... after 10 years the hurt is the same but we as Americans will continue to persevere.

Thelma Cuccinello 9/11/01

I have the honor of paying tribute to Thelma Cuccinello.  She was 71 years old on 9/11/01.  What a great mother and grandmother.... she loved Christmas, her and her husband made many of the Christmas decorations that now decorate her daughters houses.  She had made quilts for all 10 of her grandchildren, I'm sure they are cherished.  She had recently taken to playing golf.  Thelma was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11.  I know how deeply she is loved and missed, 10 years later, it hurts the same. I'm so sorry you lost your mother, grandmother, sister and friend.  No one deserved this, certainly not this loving woman.  Here are some of the messages left for Thelma and her family from legacy.com....
Thinking of your daughters today, Thelma. My mom Mary still tears up when she speaks of you-she misses your laughter and friendship so much. And you will always be remembered. Jeanne Collins

This year I am moved and able to pay tribute...We lived just down the street from Thelma and "Cooch"...When our daughter was born, Thelma was the first non-family member to babysit while we went to an appt...Special, kind and beyond caring...Her legacy to her family. Lisa Giles, Lakeland, Florida

 

Thelma, you were on your way to visit your sister, Grace, who loved you so much and never was quite the same after your death. Grace passed away today, 12-24-06, at 11:45am PST. You are both with the Lord today, in Heaven. May God Bless you and your family and your generation. Trent Benedettti,

Santa Maria, California

 

Don't think that we have forgotten, dear lady. We will never forget, and on the 9th Anniversary of that hellish day, we will say more prayers for your family, because I am sure they still miss you very much. Joyce Romano, Los Angeles, California

 

We have a quilt that Thelma made for my daughter Kerri when she was born on May 8, 1995. It was hanging on her bedroom wall that terrible day. She was a friend of my mother-in-law's and attended our wedding. A genuine sweetie-pie of a lady. Peace Claude Maddox, Acton, Massachusetts

 

Cheryl, Laurie and Maria,
My thoughts are with you, your families and your Mom. I keep warm thoughts of "Mrs. Cuccinello" with me always. My childhood memories will always be with me, these memories include your Mom who will always be my next door neighbor! Mribeth and Scott
Maribeth (Meaney) Darrow, Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Neilie Anne Heffernan Casey 9/11/01

I have the honor of paying tribute to Neilie Anne Heffernan Casey.  Neilie was
32 years old on 9/11/01.  She was a Planning Manager for TJX.  She was married and had a 6 month old baby girl.  Neilie and her husband met as high school Freshman.  Had a family and many friends that loved her.  She was a giving and lovely person that had a smile, the one that found the good in people in everything she did, will warm them and sustain them. That smile, they said, radiated hope.  As you can see from the picture, her smile was stunning.  Neilie was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11. 

At Neilie’s memorial mass, which was held just after 9/11, Mr. Casey gave each person in the church a self-addressed envelope to his and Neilie's daughter Riley and invited them to share memories or anecdotes they had of Neilie.  “We probably have about 300 of those, and we haven’t opened them yet,” Casey said. “We will when the time is right. I don’t know when that is, but we’ll know.”

Her husband wrote this about his extraordinary wife... what an incredible human being.  I'm so sorry she is gone....
http://www.holycross.edu/departments/publicaffairs/hcm/winter02/features/remembering_casey.html

In addition, here are some of the messages and memories left for Neilie over the past 10 years, from legacy.com...

Neilie, ten years is a blink of the eye in God's time. I can still see your bright smile and hear your cheerful voice, tears still come but now because of the thankfulness of having known you for a short time. You will never be forgotten and my heart goes out to your family. Andrea Martin, North Easton, Massachusetts

During a secondment from the UK, at Chadwicks in Boston many years ago, Neilie was my Mentor. I will never forget her warmth and enthusiasm.
I am sending love to her family and friends. God Bless you all. Tiffany Downer, London

As the 10 year anniversary of this tragedy approaches, you are all in my thoughts and prayers!! The video I've seen of the memorial are beautiful. I hope to one day be able to take my children there and let them find their cousin's name. I love you Aunt Anne and wish you peace and closure with this anniversary. Andrea Luces, Palm Bay, Florida

Hey Neilie,  Just talked to your Mom. We laugh and talk about you as if you were in the room. Your were a true joy to be around, with vivacious energy, and a smile as bright as the sun. Gone, but NOT forgotten!! Big Hug Peggy Hill, Rye Brook, New York

Thinking Neilie today, as I do every anniversary and finding hard to believe 8 years has passed. I think of Neilie often and I'm sure I will always think of her, not just on this sad date but other times throughout the year. I knew Neilie from Chadwick's. Happy and joyous are what come to mind when I think of her. Wishing her family peace and comfort today. We all continue to hold Neilie and her family in our thoughts and prayers.

My many tears today surprised me. Remembering you and that terrible day hurts. Time may heal but it does not make one forget. You touched so many hearts as has your beautiful daughter and we do remember. A former Chadwick's employee. Andrea Martin, North Easton, Massachusetts

It is the 6th anniversary of 9/11and I still cry for Neilie and her family. What a loss!!!! I get by thinking that perhaps I was lucky to have met someone not of this world, a true angel in disguise because she brought smiles and joy to everyone she encountered. Lucky I was to have met Neilie.
She was such an inspirational, uplifting, positive person and no matter how bad a day may have seemed to the average individual,Neilie would put it in perspective. My mantra is to live life as Neilie did... always tell those who are close to you that you love them. Say "hello handsome" to your husband now and then. Don't refuse a doughnut because you fear the pounds because you know what it is good and it makes you happy. When life gets you down just say oh well tomorrow will be better.
I miss you Neilie, you were so special!!! I hope you can make this world better by being up there and offering up your super sound advise to those who will listen. Xo Xo Lori Weeks, South Dartmouth, Massachusetts

Jeffery Coombs 9/11/01

I have the honor of paying tribute to Jeff Coombs.  Jeff was 42 years old on 9/11/01.  He was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11.  Wow.  Incredible family.  He loved the outdoors and loved spending time outdoors with friends and family.  He worked for Compaq and was able to spend a lot of time working from home.  His family has worked tirelessly since that awful day to help the lives of others through a foundation in his name. http://www.jeffcoombsfund.org/
I'm so sorry you lost your husband, father, brother, son and friend.  He sounds like one of the best of us.  Here are some memories and messages left to him from loved ones, from legacy.com......

well Jeff, Doug and I are getting ready to hit another mountain. We started doing these 67 peaks with you years ago and every mountain we climb brings us close to you. We still hear you behind us unwrapping the endless supply of candy bars and feel your presence standing beside every campfire. With only 7 mountains left it is bittersweet as the goal of finishing them all together was a strong bond between 3 brothers. You are so missed. Chuck

I participated in two of Jeff's Compaq projects early in the summer of 2001. Jeff impressed me with his skills and with his solid, reliable nature. He was not a serious, dry man; he carried a sense of joy and pleasure in his life ... particularly with his family. He enjoyed his family and his work ... and wanted others to do the same.  I am fortunate to have known Jeff ... however briefly ... and miss him still.Vaya con Dios ... Alan Thomas, Port Angeles, Washington

As I read these very kind messages, I wish I could reach out to everyone to say thanks. It is truly comforting to read what people have to say about Jeff and about that horrible day. I so appreciate everyones' prayers and compassionate messages. I wish I could say thank you to each of you individually, but I'm grateful to be able to do it through this site. Jeff was indeed a wonderful family man who loved his children so much. He was great at making people laugh, and kept our house a happy place. I, his kids, his family and my family miss him terribly. Thank you for helping his memory live on. Christie Coombs, Abington, Massachusetts

I was a Compaq employee who was working at the conference that Jeffrey was flying out to speak at. I have thought and prayed for him so many times, but never had the pleasure of meeting him. I want his family to know that the Compaq family will never forget him. Donna Fraley, Houston, Texas

Thinking of you and your family during this sad time. I have such fond memories of Jeff and and his wonderful sense of humor. Jean (Casey) Malinski, Carlsbad, California

Dear Coombs Family, I am a sixth grader and I go to a catholic school, I was given Mr.Coombs and to pray for. He sounds like a really kind person. I am sorry he was on one of the planes. I just wanted to let you know that my school and family is always praying for you. Caroline, Medford, New Jersey

My brothers and I (Peter and Mark Manzoni) went to high school with Jeff. We have memories of him coming over our house for dinner, joking around, and hanging out. I pray that his family finds peace and love in God. We will never forget! Diana Brady, Bellingham, Massachusetts

Jeff was to be one of a group of 10 people - some old friends and soon-to-be new friends - going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on September 29 for a week of backpacking, the same week he was to celebrate his wedding anniversary. I'm told that the Grand Canyon was one of his favorite places and he never missed an opportunity to go hiking or rafting there with his friends here in Arizona. The trip will go on, but Jeff's absence will echo like a raven's cry off of canyon walls. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in Massachusetts. Ted Wiseman, Phoenix, Arizona
http://www.patriotledger.com/features/x350171618/Jeffrey-Coombs-Memorial-Foundation-still-a-success-in-Abington-thanks-to-work-of-his-wife-Christie