From New York, With Love

Last week was one of those weeks where things (some of them, anyway) just seemed to fall into place.  Since this doesn’t happen too often, I thought I’d share the events with you.

When FDNY Lt. Joe Huber was here in March, I mentioned to him that I would like some steel from the World Trade Center to make a permanent memorial to the victims and heroes of September 11 and Anthony’s response to that tragedy.  You probably remember that we “adopted” the family of fallen fireman Joe Spor, raised and sent them money, and have remained in contact with them ever since.

Two weeks ago I sent Lt. Huber an e-mail and mentioned in passing that I was still interested in the steel and a memorial.  A couple days went by and he replied that he didn’t think it would be possible, but that he would check.  He also said that even if he could locate some steel it would weigh a whole lot and be very expensive to haul.  I asked him to check and not to worry about the expense.

That Thursday he called and gave me a number in the New York Mayor’s office to call and formally request the steel.  When I called, the gentleman I spoke with told me that they had actually stopped taking any more requests and that the following Monday was the last day they would loading steel.  I told him about Joe Spor and Anthony’s response to September 11 and he offered to give Anthony the steel we wanted for a memorial.

But we had to pick up the steel in Brooklyn that Monday (in 4 days).  Without any funds, and on such a short deadline, I picked up the phone and called my True Value rep, Phil Cloe.  He listened to my dilemma, made a couple of phone calls, and asked me to call the CEO of True Value in Chicago.  When I called, her Administrative Assistant had already talked to her.  She said that Anthony sounded like a wonderful, caring place of generous people and that True Value would gladly pick up the steel in Brooklyn and deliver it to Anthony at no charge.  After a couple more phone calls to the True Value trucking managers in Allenstown, Pennsylvania and Kansas City, the arrangements were all in order.

On Wednesday, October 23 at 1 or 1:30 the True Value truck will pull up behind my store.  This week, in addition to my weekly order, it will be carrying a very special delivery from the City of New York.  You are welcome to come watch 3 pieces of the World Trade Center be unloaded. 

This Monday I appointed a committee of volunteers to design the right memorial out of this steel from the rubble of the World Trade Center.  The memorial they design and create will honor not only the victims and heroes of that horrendous attack, but also the triumph of the American spirit as Anthony responded with compassion, resolve, and care.  And as a gift, it will be built without tax monies.

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Last modified:  March 28, 2006  

Copyright 2002 Anthony 9-11 Memorial Committee