2.996 - A Man, Not Just A Number

Today I write of Abner Morales. We never met, we could never have met. Separated by thousands of miles, ethnic backgrounds and age group it was something that could never happen. Yet, we shared a common bond - being part of the human race.

What would have been going through his mind as he travelled to work on that bright sunny morning? Was he thinking of the daily tasks that lay ahead? Was he thinking of his wife, Norma and children Kathleen Yvette and little Michael Alexander? Perhaps he was thinking of his birthday in ten days time. It was to be his 38th birthday and a small family celebration was being arranged. Maybe he was thinking of the planned trip to Disneyland the following month and how happy and excited the children would be. He may have been more than a little sad because his own father, in an ironic twist of fate, had died exactly one year ago to the day.

Whatever he was thinking it is certain that one thought could never have crossed his mind. No idea so terrible could ever have crept into his consciousness. The thought that this would be his very last day. Abner Morales was never going to see the sunshine again, never going to return to his home and beloved family.

Abner Morales was a victim of 9/11

Abner was born on September 21st 1963 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the son of Hilda and Felix Morales. He was educated in New York City and studied extensively in the field of computer programming. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. He and Norma had been together for twenty years and married for seventeen of them. He loved to draw and spend hours listening to music. He was an avid Yankees fan.

He was also a dedicated and conscientious worker for Fiduciary Trust Company where he had been employed for eleven years. His office was on the 97th floor. By a twist of fate, Abner had already been involved in one scare at the World Trade Center. He was working in the lower levels of that building when a terrorist bomb exploded in the basement in 1993. Afterwards he began having anxiety attacks but he was a strong person and soon got them under control. His company re-established itself in New Jersey and Abner’s life went on much as it had done before.

The company then decided to move back to the Trade Center. Whether Abner was apprehensive about this cannot be known but having his colleagues and friends around him probably mitigated any fears he had. He treated his colleagues as extended family. He enjoyed his work as assistant vice president of computer programming and he was also head of evacuation for his department.

Nobody can possibly imagine the feelings of these people when the north tower was struck by a hijacked plane. Before the south tower was also stricken, Abner’s best friend in the company spoke to him as Abner began ushering a number of his colleagues, including this friend, into an elevator. The friend urged Abner to get into the elevator with him. Abner replied that he would do so and make his escape when he was sure that he had got everybody out. That was the last anybody ever saw of him. He died trying to save others.

His body has never been found.

2,996. That is the number of victims who perished that day. 2,996 and Abner was just one of those. But he was more than a number, more than a statistic, he was a man, a loving, caring, hard-working human being adored by his family and his friends.

Today I have written about him.  The other 2,995 victims will each be remembered individually by journallers who have volunteered for the 2,996 Project.  Each one will be written about, each one will be honoured. I am privileged to have been assigned Abner Morales.

As I said, we could never have met. It is impossible for me to know all the details of his life but I know he was deeply loved by his wife, his children and all of his family members and respected by his co-workers. I have told you something about this man. At almost 38 years of age his life was extinguished in a brutal and senseless fashion. May he rest in peace and may his family find solace in the memories they hold of this gentle person.

The ancient Eyptians had a saying “only speak my name and I shall live again”. Today I have spoken the name of Abner Morales. Through my journal today he lives again, he lives for all of you who read my words. He becomes not just a number but flesh and blood. A person who had all the same hopes, dreams, desires, worries and frustrations that we all do. A person who showed great courage in trying to save the lives of others and laid down his own in so doing.

Join me in remembering not only Abner but all those innocent victims who perished that dreadful day and the families who are left to grieve for a lifetime.

The following video is dedicated to all the victims of terrorism throughout the globe. Let us unite together and pray for peace in a better world.

 

 

Here is the link for the 2,996 Project - List Of Participants      where you will be able to find all of the journals paying  their own tribute to each victim.