in memory of LT. Michael Russo...

September 11th 2001.
i remember sitting on the couch, pregnant with Payton, watching the unbelievable happening on the TV screen. i felt sick and afraid to be bringing another child into such an uncertain time.

i watched the twin towers burn.
i cried as i thought of my cousin Anthony Russo who worked on the 100+ floor of one of the towers.
disbelief.
fear.
horror.

i hadn't even thought about the fire companies that were outside of the city being called in, the hundreds of volunteer firemen, emergency medical, and policemen...

LT. Michael Russo.
was one of the first heroes to the scene.
why? because that was what he was trained for, that was his job, that was his duty.

Anthony, his brother, worked inside those towers.

Anthony, by the grace of GOD, never made it into work that morning...
LT. Michael Russo, never made it home.

he is our family's hero.
he is our countries hero.
he left behind his wife Theresa and his young son Michael Jr. that day.
our family, like so many others, was changed forever.

take a minute today and say a prayer...
a prayer for those families everywhere who have experienced a loss,
for those serving in our armed forces,
for those deployed and the families they left behind,
for our everyday heroes that put there life on the line to protect us.

Comments

[suetreiber]

beautiful entry Donna.
I will say a prayer!

[jenn]

prayers sent hugs Donna

[Monique]

It is so hard to comprehend how many families were changed that day. Thanks for helping us remember. My prayers go out to you and to ALL the families who were impacted five years ago today.

[Jen]

Beautiful tribute to your cousin. Prayers for your family and all of the families affected by 9/11.

[amy j.]

Wow, Donna...I never knew you had someone in your family lost in 9/11. It's been hard as just an onlooker dealing with that day, I can't imagine being someone directly affected. I'll be thinking of you and your cousin on this day from here on out. He is the first sort of personalized "face" I have regarding 9/11. I feel like I know you in a way and therefore feel your loss. What an amazing guy. I simply can't believe his brother was not in that building.

[Kim Bolyard]

What a touching memory...tears in my eyes. My thoughts go out to you and all the others that suffered a lost on this day 5 years ago.

peace
Kim

[joleen]

Thank you for this beautiful tribute.

[Judy (Dots)in Carefree]

A beautiful entry, Donna! We watched the CBS documentry about the fire fighters last evening and it had me in tears...such a sad day! However, I feel blessed because it is a happy date in our family. Our oldest daughter was married on 9/11/99! On a happy note...I so enjoyed meeting you and chatting with you and Wendy at Creative Escape and I hope you enjoyed the pictures of my Big Picture projects...you rock!

[Cathy]

Wow. God bless your family and your cousin. It's a day we'll never forget.

[Jeanette]

They will never be forgotten for their bravery and courage.

[Amy Wheelr]

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Donna. My prayers are with you today.

I too was pregnant with my 2nd on 9/11. Kevin was born 7 weeks later. My older son was at daycare and I couldn't get to him soon enough. All day I was in tears thinking of the poor children who wouldn't have their parents pick them up that day.

On another personal note, my father was a new firefighter for the city department (career change after farming for 20+ years). I was nervous to hear that his dept. was on stand by "if" anything happened at nearby Ft. Knox. Luckily it didn't.

I believe 9/11 was "the" life changing event of my life. I'm working on a sort of mini scrapbook/journal "I remember...9/11...5 years later." I had journaled my feelings after the event and am going back and documenting my feelings of today. I know this will be something for my boys to look back on.

Thanks again for such a nice entry.

God bless, Amy

[denise sanner]

donna . . .i believe that all of us that were "withchild" on 9/11 share the same thought about bringing a new life into this world after what happened on that day. we had tried very hard to conceive our miracle child and then were unsure that we made the right decision on that day . . .today we are glad . . .but awfully scared of his future at the same time. your cousin will be remembered in my prayers. God Bless.

denise

[shelley o'neill]

Thank you for the beautiful tribute. My husband serves in the US Navy, and we lost friends in the Pentagon. While that day showed us some of the worst that humanity can unleash upon the world, I think it also shone a light on heroes in ordinary places. I am so sorry for the loss of your cousin - and for all of the other peoples' lives that ended far too soon.

[Lynne]

There is a special place in heaven for all of the men, women and children who have been affected by the events of 9/11 -- I truly believe that there is...

[Mimi]

May his Memory be Eternal.

[RScrapIT]

I will never forget that day and I will never forget the many stories I have read and heard about people who never made it home that day. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

[deb munn]

Many prayers said today.
Beautiful entry Donna.
Thank you.
~deb~
xo

[Melissa Raphael]

donna,
thank you for sharing.
melissa

[Megan]

wow, I am so sorry. That was a beautiful tribute to him.

[Debbie V.]

God Bless you Donna..I did not know! Prayers go out to all soldiers and Heroes present and past today!

[Jennifer]

What a bittersweet story. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

[ashluvs2]

thank you donna for mentioning those who continue to fight for us...we cant forget them:)

[Suzanne]

Donna, your post is so touching and beautiful. Lots of prayers and hugs going out to your family!

[Sarah]

Thank you for letting us all know about your family's sacrifice. There are humans on this planet who are just so brave, and selfless, that it just takes my breath away. You know that they had lives, and families. And that those families will always have a hole in them where that person used to be.

But in some ways those men and women who went in while everyone else was running out are now immortal. They are the most incredible symbol of the very best that there is in the human soul. If it had been my cousin, my husband, my friend, I would trade anything to have them back. But I would also be so proud that they were the kind of person that they were, the kind of person who runs in.

Please accept my most profound thanks and blessings for you and your family, and know that there is truly a special place in heaven for those who die in the service of others.

[Bec]

My daddy died in the line of duty as a firefighter (they were firemen back then) in 1955 when I was three years old. Needless to say, 9-11 had another addition layer of horror for me.

One thing I am glad for is that many people in this country have made an effort to keep their heroic sacrifices present in our minds and to honor them. I think as child that would have been of some comfort to me. Since it didn't happen I may be just experiencing wishful thinking.

I thank God every day for the people who serve us. I pray for the safety of those inside whenever an emergency vehicle passes me by. One person paying attention to an emergency vehicle would have saved my father's life.

My daddy was a volunteer fireman. It was his day off from his "pay" job. I am proud of him and I am proud of your cousin Michael and all the others.

Thank you so much for sharing. Let none of us ever let their memories fade.

[Jennifer]

Your family, and all of the families are in my thoughts today. A very scary day that certainly has changed us all. Thank you for posting.

[Lee]

Donna this brought tears to my eyes. Thinking of you all on this day.
Hugs n kisses

[Dawn]

Donna,
Wow, I have never known someone who holds a very personal attachment to 9-11...thank you for sharing. I was stuck in a hotel in St. Louis when it happened, and my husband and I had been trying to decide whether or not to get pregnant for the first time. I have to say I almost didn't do it (have kids). Now I have a four year old and one on the way, and I still worry about the world they are entering. I just hope when it is their time to leave it, that they will have done something positive to the world first. Your family certainly has a hero, my God bless him eternally for what he has done.

[glo-girl]

I pray we all continue to learn from this...b/c when you do not learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it...and I don't think I could take another Sept 11.

Hugs to you and your family.

[Deanna]

ah it is always in my prayers still...
thank you for sharing that. : )

[Brianna]

Thank you for sharing, Donna. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[MaryJo]

thank you donna.
wonderful entry.
i too was pregnant with my son.
i'm from nj & my husband from ny & although we lived & still do in california at the time, back east is stills "home" to us.
we spent that day on the telephone making sure all family & friends were accounted for.
what happened is unreal & i appreciate your words.
god bless you & yours.

[Sarah]

Thinking of you. Can't type through tears.

Sarah
xx

[Shannon]

Saying a prayer for your family...tears in my eyes. Beautiful words to remember a special person on this sad day.

[Ali]

I totally never knew this about your family. Love you.

[Mimi]

Thinking of you Donna, i have tears in my eyes, reading your entry today.
take care
Mimi

[jill barnett]

Thank you for sharing your story. Beautifully said.

[Stacey C.]

hugs, prayers and pride!

[Sarah Bowen]

God bless Michael and all who risked their lives that day!!!

[Leslie]

God bless...

[Sue McFarland]

Donna, thank you for the beautiful tribute. I have seen and heard tributes all day today, but yours touched my heart in a special way. Thank you so much and I hope the horror of that day leaves as the sweet memories of your family grows stronger.

[Jeannie]

Thank you for a touching tribute. My heart goes to you and your family.

Hugs

[erin yamabe]

thank you for sharing. thank you. my prayers are with you and your family.

[Maureen]

gosh Donna. I'm so sorry. This just breaks my heart. I am sad today. Not directly affected but that day affected us all. Hugs.

[Jennifer P]

Donna,
Thank you for sharing this. My prayers and thoughts are with your family.

[Anja]

Your lines make my cry! I remember this day and it's a horrible memory I'll never forget.

My thoughts are with you and your family!

[Alison Shearer]

Beautifully and simply put. I can't imagine how sad it was and still is for your family.

Alison

[tina b]

thanks for sharing, so sorry about your cousin and the other 2700+ that died that day - I was home with my 2 week old daughter, and held her so tight thay day and for many days after - those of us who think of New York as our city still mourn for those lost in those beautiful towers -

[Paula]

As I read this a tingle went up my spine & into my head. My hair felt like it was lifting from my scalp. Seeing those towers fall & knowing the terror of the people inside saddened me greatly. Trying to put yourself into that situation & praying to God you never were.... This can never & should never be forgotten....

[Jen G]

God Bless heroes, today and always.

[Ellen]

That's a wonderful tribute.

[paper rocks]

Oh Donna I am late posting but thank you for caring. Thank you for taking the time to remember. It is so refreshing..........so many places I went yesterday the people don't want to be reminded or the tragic event. I personally want to remember, I want to feel their pain with them. I don't think we ever ought to forget. My feelings are if I can for a little while carry some of the pain, if I can be uncomfortable for a little while I want to.

[Melissa in SC]

Amen.

[Scrapmom3]

Donna, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. What a horrific day to have to remember but, today it leaves me embracing my family and friends even more. Thankful for yet another day to be "thankful" for. God bless your family and to all of our fallen heros.

[Tammy]

Donna,

I just read your 9/11 post and my heart goes out to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Last night, I cried every time they showed the past footage of 9/11. For many of us, the events that unfold were so surreal. I felt our building jolt when the plane hit the Pentagon. We knew about New York. But we were not sure what had just happened and where the last explosion came from. We had employees at the Capitol and frantically tried to get in touch with them. We stood around in disbelief, crying, hugging each other, trembling not knowing what would happen next.

All I could think of was getting home to my children and husband. I knew my children would be terrified. It took me 3 1/2 hours from Washington, DC to get to my home in Maryland. It was so eerie with fighter planes flying through the airspace in DC, which was very unusual. I cried and trembled all the way home.

I continue to pray for the many families that lost love ones and the brave heroes that died that day. It is a day that I will never forget.

Blessings and hugs to you.

[Yvette, southern california]

thank you, beautiful entry. I will never ever forget.....on my alumni high school forum I keep the date and the flag with the words "never forget" on the front page all the time.

I know I'm late posting, but on that day I don't go on the computer.

[Tangee]

A beautiful and thoughtful tribute by you to him. It's a day that resonates in my heart for all time.

[Chiara]

Donna, being married to a NYPD officer I know the loss having lost many friends and a family member. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers and not a day goes by that I don't pray for the families of 9/11 victims.

[Christine Campbell]

As a Canadian, as a human being that day stays with me and still brings tears to my eyes.
((HUGE HUGS)) to you and your family.

[dan]

You don't realize how many people were affected by such a tragic event. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Elyss Jennings]

Donna- my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Elyss

[Magentals]

Donna,

What a wonderful tribute to your cousin. I have enjoyed reading all the comments everyone has written with tears running down . Thanks again
Lori

[heather]

Donna. . .I was so touched by what you wrote. Mostly because yours is another family who lost so much that tragic day. And I felt kinship in that pregnancy thing. My youngest was born 31 days after 9/11 .. . and that month was a terrifying one for me, starting with that day. I had those same thoughts of what the world would be like for my children, etc.

Don't know if you'd heard about the 2996 blog posters . . .each one honoring a different person from that day. I found Michael's for you: www.monicasopinions.blogspot.com

[k8tykat]

love to you and lt. russo's family.

[Stacy]

Donna, your cousin is a true HERO. The kind I try to teach my children about; the ones who think of others and put their welfare before their own.

In you sadness, be proud; VERY PROUD of your cousin Michael, The HERO.

[Lisa Baker]

xoxo Love, Lisa

[Jocelyn]

Wow...what a moving post....you and your family are in our prayers and we will forever appreciate the dedication of your cousin!! God Bless America!!!

[Kip LaMotte]

I am FF Kip LaMotte from New Brighton, MN and I did a Remeberence Ride in honor of Lt. Michael Russo this past Saturday. It was a pleasure to Google search Michael and learn how much we are alike. I too married a nurse. I have a son that is 15 now. (and also a daughter 16) Lt. Michael Russo and I are kindred spirits with alot of the same interests. I would like to give my medallion with Michaels name on it to Theresa. I can be reached directly at 651-288-4121 or via email.
God Bless

[Mary dean]

Thanks for sharing. Love to you and blessings to your family.

[Yvonne]

I remember exactly where I was and exactly what I was doing, and the fear and heartache, and then the silence in the skies. I am sorry for the loss you and thousands of others suffered. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

[Boo]

Donna, So sorry for your family's loss. He is definitely a hero. I will pray for his family.

[Kristie Sloan]

Touching and thoughful, Donna. We all need to remember and pray for all those still hurting from those events.

[Hillie]

So sorry. Our thoughts are with you and your family today.

[Paula]

I say a prayer for you, your family & all the families involved!
I will never forget that day...or night, as it was here in Australia. I was up feeding my newborn at the time & watched the horror unfold...I cried for what kind of world I had just brought my son into. My heart still goes out to all those affected that sad, sad day.

[Lollie]

so sad and shocking. I am French, and yet I still remember what I was doing when I heard this drama. I think of America and all those people every year, several times a year