So let me say that this year on 9-11 I will share the story of a couple of men, brothers, from my hometown. They were nephews of friends of my parents. Their grandmother was friends with my grandmother and lived at the house down the street, on the corner, from my Aunt. I have known this family my entire life. Enough time has passed that I can finally share their story.
One Family, Two Horror Stories
SANDY GRAZIOSO made the hourlong drive down the Garden State Parkway to her son Johns house. It was the usual Saturday routine, which meant she would baby-sit for her three grandchildren -- the joys of her life, really -- so her son could pursue his passion, 18 holes of golf, while his wife was at work. On Monday night, her older son, Tim, drove over from New York and took her to dinner at Bella Napoli, one of his favorite restaurants in Clifton -- a belated 66th birthday celebration. Permalink & the rest of the story
Timothy and John Grazioso: Two Brothers, Always Close
Timothy Grazioso, the older brother, was considered the sensitive one; John Grazioso hid his sensitivity under a caustic wit. Born 18 months apart, they remained close, playing football together for the Clifton (New Jersey) Junior Mustangs and the Clifton High School varsity and later, working for Cantor Fitzgerald. Permalink & the rest of the story
Tim Grazioso, Gulfstream, Fla., and John Grazioso, Middletown - NorthJersey.com
Now the two young men who had so very much to live for are memorialized at the North Pool Memorial: panel N-28
If you have not yet had a chance to visit the 9/11 Memorial do try to go and pay your tribute to the 2,977 people who were killed in the attack on the morning of September 11, 2001. I highly recommend the walking tour of the 9/11 Memorial given by 9/11 survivors, recovery workers, lower Manhattan residents and victims’ family members.
My family and I took the tour on a cold, cloudy windy day in February when the wind chill was in the low 20's. It was a small sacrifice to freeze for a few hours when so many lost their lives at this very spot. We were all moved to tears and I firmly believe you will be as well.
We should never forget.