Rosa Maria Feliciano was 30 years old and from New York, NY. Rosa worked for Marsh & McLennan on the 96th floor in North Tower of the World Trade Center.
On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower, impacting between the 93rd and 99th floors.
Rosa's husband, Isaac, was at work as a groundskeeper at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Issac watched the World Trade Center burn and collapse.
Isaac was accepting his loss, raising his two daughters as a single parent and struggling to get life back together. His family held a memorial service for Rosa, convinced her remains would never be found. But in January 2002, there was a proper burial at after the medical examiner identified her.
Rosa was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery, beneath a simple headstone. Issac tends her grave as part of his job.
And then in 2005, just before Mother's Day, more of Rosa's remains were identified.
"You start to wonder, why wasn't it me instead of her?" Issac says. "You feel guilty about something you did or didn't do."
Rest In Peace.
ReplyDeleteAdam Feliciano
Today I told my 9 year old about what happened 14 years ago--a beautiful, sunny day when the world changed. Rosa, I just heard your husband remembering you on NPR, nice to see your face and connect to your story. We must never forget. I remember. Always.
ReplyDeleteMay she rest in peace. Isaac, she's an Angel watching down over you and her two dsughters. Rachel Feliciano
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Isaac,
ReplyDeleteI had just dropped my son off for his first day of high school here in Los Angeles on Sept 11th and was fortunate enough to have tunes into 89.9 FM NPR. Hearing the love, dedication and strength you possess after all these years since your wife's passing was very heart felt. I admire your drive to keep living life and being an awesome father that your wife would be so very PROUD of. Not only were you blessed to have had the chance to spend so many wonderful years with your beautiful wife but she was BLESSED to have found such an AWESOME husband, friend and father in you. May God continue to bless you and your daughters. And, just know that there are so many of us who will always remember and pray for those whose lives were taken too soon and the ones who were left behind. God Bless