Patriotism

Remembering Zep

Damsel and I are very proud to be able to honor Marc Scott Zeplin on the fifth anniversary of 9/11/2001 and to be part of the 2996 Project.

Zep” is what his friends called him. Zep was one of the 2996 victims who perished in the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Marc Scott Zeplin, age 33.

Place killed: World Trade Center. Resident of Harrison, N.Y. (USA).

Marc Zeplin worked in the World Trade Center offices of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services company. Reading what Marc’s friends and family have written about him, Marc was well-liked and respected by peers, friends and others who wrote words about him following his death.

The following is from Zep’s tribute at the memorial site that his company set up to remember their employees that were lost in the attack:

Date of Birth: January 12, 1968

Department: Equity Sales

A group of friends named and registered a star in the heavens in memory of Marc Zeplin. How fitting as he was a star in the eyes of so many.

Successful as an equity trader, he formed close relationships with his clients but he was foremost a family man. Marc was very caring and devoted to his wife Debra, sons Ryan (3 yrs old) and Ethan (10 months), parents, sister and in-laws. He adored his children and treasured the time he spent with them. Marc was very proud of the new home he and his wife built in Westchester and enjoyed the change from urban to suburban living.

Raised in Long Island, Marc attended Oceanside High School and the University of Michigan where he also continued to earn a master’s degree in the acclaimed business school. Marc’s first career calling was sports casting. He loved sports of all kinds and enjoyed broadcasting games in Michigan during his college years. However, when he returned to New York, he found immediate employment in the financial world and soon after started at Cantor Fitzgerald where he became a partner.

Marc was truly a “master of the word.” He knew how and what to say in order to put you at ease, make you laugh or help you resolve a problem. Marc loved people. He had many friends and demonstrated a zest for living life to the fullest. He was tops in every way. He even worked at the top. The right position for so many years unfortunately was wrong on only one day – September 11, 2001.

Debra Zeplin and Leora Zeplin, Marc’s Wife and Mother.

2996 Makes the Goal

Our friend D.C. Roe deserves some real credit for this:

On August 28, 11:19 PM EDT the 2,996th name was assigned

Howard (Barry) Kirschbaum, age 53, a resident of New York, N.Y., will be honored by El Rider at the blog Flying Debris.

There will be more to come. But every name will be honored. It took exactly 90 days, and more hours than I’d care to count–and not just from me.

But for tonight I’ll take this victory and sleep well.

America Has Never Failed Us

Patriot Post sent us this reminder of a great man’s philosophy that remains as appropriate today as it was in the 1980’s — and perhaps more.

“We’ve come to a moment in our history when party labels are unimportant. Philosophy is all important. Little men with loud voices cry doom, saying little is good in America. They create fear and uncertainty among us. Millions of Americans, especially our own sons and daughters, are seeking a cause they can believe in. There is a hunger in this country today — a hunger for spiritual guidance. People yearn once again to be proud of their country and proud of themselves, and to have confidence in themselves. And there’s every reason why they should be proud. Some may have failed America, but America has never failed us, and there is so much to be proud of in this land.” — Ronald Reagan

A Yellow Rose for Our Troops

For our service men and women on duty this weekend we send them this yellow rose to let them know we haven’t forgotten about them and their worldwide missions, and pray for their safe return.

Many thanks to all of you and God bless.

Weekend Warriors

When we drive to the shooting range, we pass our local California National Guard armory. Today, the Weekend Warriors were busy with their activities and had this large transport vehicle at the ready. We’re proud of our soldiers and salute them for giving up a part of their regular lives to be in the service of our state and country. God bless them!

2996 Tribute Blogger Support

I almost forgot!

I just added a link to the Never Forget Graphic (seen on hundreds of blogs) encouraging bloggers to sign up for 2996 tribute on September 11, 2006. When I got the email from DC Roe I was going to “get around to it,” but promptly forgot until I saw a reminder on MVRWC this morning.

Check out the 2996 link under the graphic.

Update: We signed up for our 9/11 victim today. Less than half of them have been spoken for, so c’mon bloggers and sign up (click the link under the graphic).

We will be posting about this victim on 9/11/2006:

Marc Scott Zeplin, age 33.

Place killed: World Trade Center. Resident of Harrison, N.Y. (USA).

Marc Scott Zeplin will be honored by Cap’n Bob & the Damsel. This was the 1205th blogger to sign up for the 2,996 Tribute project.