September 11, 2001.
That day is such a marker in so many lives. People around the world were affected by the terrorist attacks that day on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Some people were more affected than others.
I really try to avoid documentaries and stories about 9-11 because they are too heart-wrenching for me to deal with, even so many years later, but I finally read this book. I knew this was a book only to be read in privacy in my home, and not one to read while sitting in the car waiting to pick up my children, or in the park enjoying a nice day since I did not even make it through the Special Thanks prologue before tears starting welling up. I knew six people listed there, and had met a handful of the others on one occasion or another, so I knew this would be a difficult read for me. For somebody with no personal connection to anyone in the book, it would probably be much easier to get through.
I have had a copy of Face Of Courage: Rise From The Rubble, written by Joseph Cammarata,since it was first published since we know the author. Joseph M. Cammarata, the author, is the brother of NY Firefighter Michael Cammarata who died in the the line of duty on 9/11. Both men passed the test to become NYC Police Officers but were under the required age of 21 at the time. They really wanted to a part of New York's Bravest and eagerly took the firefighter's test, and passed, as well.
On that fateful day, Michael was 22 years old and a probationary firefighter stationed in lower Manhattan and Joseph was a police officer stationed in Staten Island and fatefully, his command was located on the waterfront where the World Trade Center could be clearly seen across the water. Michael's Ladder Company responded to the emergency and never returned.
I am not even sure if I had ever met Michael Cammarata during his lifetime, but I certainly knew the name from mutual friends and acquaintances. Of course, most will not be affected by this book in the same manner that I was as tears came to my eyes and chills ran up my spine each time a familiar place or name was mentioned, but everyone will be touched by the story.
We all know the major details of that day, but if you want to read a poignant story of how one brave man has honored his brother's loss, then give this book a read.
While the terrorism of that awful day has touched everybody worldwide, let us never forget the individual lives that were lost. They were siblings, children, grandchildren, parents, friends and coworkers. Innocent people who were attacked and should always be remembered.
