In Memory of Lt. Michael N. Fodor, 53, of Ladder 21
My own statement : I am a humble blogger in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I found out about the 2996 project and immediately thought it was a beautiful idea and a great way to use the internet in a positive way. I live miles away from the attrocities that happened on September 11th. What happened is far removed from me, yet I understand as do all people from Belfast the amount of pain that terrorism leaves with communities big and small. Lt Fodor and the others who gave their lives on that day must never be forgotten. Their memories must live on for the pain to heal. I wish to express to the family of Lt Fodor that I have tried to recount the facts surrounding a true hero, without causing any pain to you and I hope I serve you well in doing so. I would also like to sincerely thank Sean Gavin who contacted me and helped me to write this memorial, guiding me in what was right.
In Memory of Lt. Michael N. Fodor, 53, of Ladder 21
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
On Tuesday September 11th 2001, Lt. Michael Fodor of Tower Ladder 21 was at his station, just back from medical leave and a day or two away from vacation.After the first plane hit, Mike and TL-21 were apparently assigned to the South Tower when they were originally dispatched from the firehouse. News footage exists that was found of the truck pulling up to the area, and you can see Mike and the others on board. The truck was found later that day, and was driven back to the firehouse that night. It is still in service. To this day however, not a trace has been found of the members of TL-21.
There was another FDNY officer who survived, and stated that he saw Mike and his men pass by him in one of the stairwells in the North Tower (even though they were assigned to the South...there was understandably a lot of confusion and reassignments that day). After exchanging greetings, the other officer stated that Mike said something to the effect of "where the hell is our Air Force?!" It was clear to Mike and many others that the attacks were not a terrible accident, as some originally thought.
After the towers collapsed there was obviously a long time spent going through the rubble trying to find bodies. Michael was one of the bodies being looked for, and Mike's wife, Debbie, and their three children – two sons and a daughter – sat together on the living room sofa for days praying, and hoping against hope that there would be good news. They were supported by Mike's colleague and friend, Jerry Gavin of Goshen who had worked together at Ladder 21 on 38th Street for 15 years and who had helped comb through the rubble. In the Fodor household, no one believed the worst had befallen the burly, fearless man with blond hair and a bushy mustache.
We do not know what exactly happened to Mike and his team at the towers.
Ain't this great? This is all I ever wanted.
At Mike's memorial service, Rev. Ralph E. Peterson's resounding voice soon came through the loudspeakers. "Today we honor a warrior who gave his life in the first day of battle,"
"A man who was all business and who could crack a joke," at the same time, said Michael Thomas Fodor.
Michael said his father lived his life much like the poem "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost. "It seemed like everything he did was motivated by promises he had to keep," he said, quoting the poem he had just read. "I can only hope in a thousand years to be one half as tough and resilient as my father was."
Andrew Fodor poeticized his eulogy of his father and echoed the pastor's sentiments of love.
"... The truth was to all come together. Love each other and we'll be fine," he said.
Fodor's brother, Lt. Gregory Fodor, talked about some of the funny things his "big brother" did throughout his childhood. "I can't remember any times in life that we disliked each other," he said.
One moment he had with his brother, however, will forever stick in his mind. He said the two were outside on Fodor's deck overlooking his farm. "He said, 'Ain't this great? This is all I ever wanted.'"
Later on, at another memorial service, Jerry Gavin's son, Sean would fittingly have the honor of participating in the playing of "Taps" for Mike, as many FDNY buglers were scattered far and wide at many memorials.
Sean says, "I don't know how familiar you are with "Taps," but it is similar in bearing to "The Last Post." I thought it as a fitting tribute that I was able to help in bringing honor to such a wonderful man."
Mike was a hero in life and a hero in death. It is my honour to pay tribute to this great man and to help keep his memory alive. I do so humbly and I hope I have not caused any hurt or pain to his family and freinds.
Mike is survived by his wife, Deborah Nelson Fodor; his daughter, Ashley Elizabeth; two sons, Michael Thomas and Andrew Steven; his parents and two siblings. He was 53.
Northern Ireland salutes Mike Fodor and all the victims of 9/11 at this time.
May they rest in peace.
Please visit THIS PAGE for more tributes to the victims of 9/11
posted by Freddy @ Monday, September 11, 2006
Comments: 7
