2,996: September 11, 2001 A Tribute to Lt. John A. Crisci

September11


 


Lt. John A. Crisci


 


 


 


[Lt. John Crisci]  


 


 


 


September 11, 2001 is a day that lives in our hearts and minds. We all remember where we were that day and what we were doing. My husband had just started a new job in Canada and I was mopping floors before taking my sick child to the doctor. My husband called me with the news that the world as we knew it had changed in an instant. As deeply as this day affected Americans and indeed people around the world, the people most affected were those who lost loved ones on this day etched in our minds.  As part of the 2,996 Memorial, I want to remember one of the people who left us that day.


 


John A. Crisci was a family man. Actually he had two families. John was first a husband, who for nearly thirty years loved his wife Rachael. Together they raised three fine upstanding boys, John Jr, Michael and Joseph. He was dedicated to his three sons, never pushing them but rather supporting them in all of their endeavors. The boys excelled in sports, school and behind them was their mother and father reinforcing the true value of competition, that friendship and fair play was the reward, not just winning. John wasn’t into fancy vacations, he preferred sitting in his backyard swinging in the swing and drinking coffee.


 


When you think of John, see a man who loved his children and wife. A man who worked for everything and took nothing for granted. John and his brother, Leonard were born in Brooklyn in a three-room apartment that never had heat in the winter and was always hot in the summer. They lost their father when he passed away in 1968, John was only 15 then and just starting High School, yet he stayed in school and went on to college. John’s belief in commitment and responsibility were displayed throughout his life.


 


Besides being a father, brother, son and husband, John was also a member of the New York Fire Department family for 23 years. John A. Crisci began his life in public service with the New York City Police Department, assigned to the 88th precinct and then the 114th precinct before becoming a NYC Firefighter.


 


In 1988, a major fire consumed a tenement in NYC’s Harlem area. John was informed that a small child was missing and might be on the sixth floor. He raced into the building, up six flights of stairs, crawled through thick smoke and found the child. With his back to the flames, and the child in his arms, he exited the building down a fire escape to safety. He was honored by the NYC Fire Department with one of its highest awards. He shrugged this off with a typical “What’s the big deal” attitude that he always had.


 


John A. Crisci loved firefighting and was a rescue specialist and teacher. In 2001, he was working with the Hazardous Materials Company 1 in Maspeth, Queens. His shift was over on September 11, 2001 and he was on his way home when the first plane struck. Instead of going home, he changed back into his gear and jumped on a rig headed for lower Manhattan. Before entering the World Trade Center Tower, he saw a probationary firefighter with an orange shield on the scene. He said, “Go back to that truck and stay there, and don’t move.” John saved that man’s life. Unfortunately, John and 17 other members of the Haz-Mat Co. at Maspeth were lost when the towers collapsed.


 


John was a hero to his children, to his co-workers and to millions of people around the world. He put others lives before his own, and on the day the towers fell, he was doing what he believed in and what he was trained to do. John was not a man looking to make a name for himself. He was called to serve and to protect. He followed that calling willingly and with joy and conviction. I have no doubt that John now stands in Heaven, still watching over his families. John, on September 11, 2001, you and your two families became linked to the rest of us.  We are sorry that your life ended when and the way it did. But we thank you for your commitment and example. You are a true hero. May God bless and keep your family safe until you can all be together again.


 


 


  


 


 


The information in the above tribute came from the following resources:


 


http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/people/2060.html


http://www.legacy.com/Sept11.asp?Page=TributeStory&PersonId=98346


http://www.crusadefinearts.com/comics/throughtheashesjohncrisci.html


http://www.queenstribune.com/archives/featurearchive/feature2002/0328/feature_story.html


 


This is part of a huge blogging effort where one man started a movement to get bloggers involved in remembering the victims of 9/11.  You can read other tributes HERE.

by Melissa O. Markham posted under Inspirational | 42 Comments »
42 Comments to

“2,996: September 11, 2001 A Tribute to Lt. John A. Crisci”

  1. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 14th, 2006 at 4:03 PM       Anonymous Says:

    Wow. Thank you, wonderful tribute. What a wonderful man, thank you for letting me know a little more about him.
  2. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 12th, 2006 at 9:26 PM       Mistresninos Says:

    Melissa,

    You’re the first homeschoolblogger site I came across. I’m reading through all the posts. It will take me a while.

    Very nice tribute. I’m glad you were able to participate. I posted mine at my other blog: http://mistresninos.blog-city.com/derek_o_sword.htm

    Hope you are doing well. I’ve not been around much to read blogs or anything lately ‘cuz I’m rather sick from the baby. Hope to catch up after the first trimester is over some time in October, I think.

    God Bless.

    Sara
  3. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 12th, 2006 at 6:55 PM       Sagerats Says:

    Very well done. His family would be honored.

    Abiding in the Vine!
  4. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 12th, 2006 at 3:17 PM       Anonymous Says:

    This was a wonderful tribute, although a very emotional one. John and others like him are true heroes, and an inspiration to all of us.

    My tribute to Matthew Picerno is at http://www.glasshalfspilled.blogspot.com
  5. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 12th, 2006 at 2:23 PM       LadyPoet33 Says:

    Wow, I wonder how many of my “friends” did this. I can’t wait to read others posts.

    He was roughly the same age when he lost his father, as I was when I lost my mother (I was 14). What a wonderful tribute!

    LadyPoet33
  6. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 6:49 PM       Chicagoray Says:

    Good job with John’s tribute, another of our finest lost that day no doubt. Please see another, Eddie Dillard here if you wish.
  7. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 6:13 PM       Anonymous Says:

    What a kind face he had! Thank you for sharing your beautiful rememberance.

    Jonathon’s Closet remembers Robert Levine.
  8. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 2:09 PM       canadianna Says:

    A lovely tribute . . . every story is different and in reading so many of them today I think I’m learning not to take so much for granted.
  9. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 9:22 AM       Anonymous Says:

    Thanks for writing about John, that was beautiful and he sounds like a true hero!
  10. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 9:00 AM       eyecorn Says:

    Thank you for such a wonderful tribute to a truly honoroable man. The thought of John and other firefighters runnig INTO the WTC buildings is humbling…serving others no matter what….that is truly a hero’s legacy.

    my tribute is at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eyecorn
  11. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 8:58 AM       Anonymous Says:

    That was a beautiful tribute. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. I am lucky to honor Teresa Martin at http://multifacetedmama.com/index.php
  12. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 7:27 AM       Raggedy Says:

    Wonderful tribute to John!

    These are sad and hard to read….

    I am honored to be a part of this project.

    Mine is posted also…

    The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort,

    but where he stands at times of challenge

    and controversy. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

    Bless you…
  13. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 6:43 AM       Anonymous Says:

    I was in tears when I saw all the off-duty firemen packed onto firetrucks steaming into Manhattan that day. I felt the same with the police and the EMTs.

    Their jobs are so dangerous, but they put their lives in danger to save ours.

    Nice job, Melissa

    cq

    http://craziequeen.blogspot.com/2006/09/2996-for-911-khang-ngoc-nguyen.html
  14. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 5:36 AM       Anonymous Says:

    Beautiful tribute to a true hero.

    My tribute can be found at http://retardedrugrat.wordpress.com
  15. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 11th, 2006 at 1:13 AM       Malinda777 Says:

    Lovely tribute to Lt. John Crisci, may he rest in peace. Today, I too remember a firefighter, Thomas Foley.
  16. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 11:50 PM       heather Says:

    Thank you for telling us about John – he sounds just amazing.

    In Memory of Steven Hagis
  17. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 11:18 PM       Anonymous Says:

    thank you for the wonderful tribute!
  18. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 9:44 PM       Anonymous Says:

    What a lovely tribute!!

    http://360.yahoo.com/my_profile-c2Dr7jw8crV6Id7eHx8TkH4dTl4-?cq=1
  19. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 9:43 PM       Anonymous Says:

    What a lovely tribute!!
  20. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 2:21 PM       keda Says:

    a lovely tribute to a wonderful person. thank you for introducing his to us.

    mamahog.blogspot.com
  21. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 1:20 PM       Anonymous Says:

    What a beautiful tribute! So sad, so many lost.

    Mines up too!

    http://mysteriousladyclues.blogspot.com
  22. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 9:49 AM       Lisa M Says:

    Very beautiful tribute.
  23. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 8:01 AM       Anonymous Says:

    Beautiful. Sad.

    http://seekingwoman.blogspot.com
  24. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 12:25 AM       BrassyLady Says:

    Wonderful tribute to John..

    Thank you for sharing his story with us..

    My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all the other families as the 5th Anniversary of 9/11 approaches.

    God bless you,

    Hugs,

    BrassyLady

    You may visit my tribute at:

    http://www.geocities.com/brassylady57/InMemoryOf/MarkandStephenColaio.html
  25. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 10th, 2006 at 12:11 AM       Anonymous Says:

    Thank you for this glimpse into who John was. He was so much more than just one of the 2,996 innocent lives that was lost on 9/11. John’s family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers as this 5th sadiversary approaches. I pray they feel his presence with them always.

    Rest in Peace John,

    Blessings,

    Auntie Lyn
  26. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 9th, 2006 at 5:29 PM       Anonymous Says:

    I failed to leave my blog information:

    http://www.lathemlunacy.blogspot.com

    Thanks…..
  27. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 9th, 2006 at 5:27 PM       Anonymous Says:

    What a wonderful tribute. The firefighters on that day were true heros, but of course they are everyday. You did a beautiful job telling who this man was. Thank you.

    I am participating in this endeavor as well and my tribute is posted on my blog.
  28. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 9th, 2006 at 5:07 PM       Anonymous Says:

    A beautiful tribute to a true hero. The world is a poorer place without him in it. Thanks for sharing his story!

    I am also part of the project and my tribute is here:

    http://suzysnapper.blogspot.com/2006/09/angel-in-rough.html
  29. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 9th, 2006 at 5:05 PM       Anonymous Says:

    What a beautiful tribute to an amazing man! Thank you for sharing!

    I am also part of the project. My honoree’s story is here.
  30. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 9th, 2006 at 11:19 AM       Tish Says:

    What a touching, beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing John’s story. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace, John.

    I have posted a tribute to Judson Cavalier. You can check it out here.
  31. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 9th, 2006 at 1:00 AM       jaminacema Says:

    Thanks so much for posting this and for letting me know about this project. I will be posting mine tomorrow.

    Jamin
  32. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 11:00 PM       Black Belt Mama Says:

    Very nice tribute. He truly was a hero.

    Black Belt Mama

    http://www.blackbeltmama.com
  33. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 11:00 PM       Anonymous Says:

    Very nice tribute. He truly was a hero.

    Black Belt Mama

    http://www.blackbeltmama.com
  34. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 9:49 PM       Peter T Says:

    OH HOW SOON WE FORGET

    Like to invite you for a visit to the “OH HOW SOON WE FORGET” Website at

    http://tibbsau.com/how.html

    It is a support website for the Leaders of the Free World and our Military. It has a lot of interesting information on it plus a Forum where you can also have your say concerning matters on this.

    Thanking you for your time, hoping that you will come for a visit, and would be honoured if you would have time to sign the Guestbook in support.

    Would also be great if you could forward this onto another contact of yours to help support us.

    Yours Sincerely,

    Peter T.
  35. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 7:46 PM       Health-Psych Says:

    Beautiful tribute.
  36. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 5:46 PM       cathy Says:

    This was a beautiful tribute to John. Thank you for writing it. If you would like to read mine, it is at….www.arthritisrants.blogspot.com.
  37. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 4:50 PM       Anonymous Says:

    Beautiful Tribute to a very very brave man….Such a sad sad day. And the sadness continues, unfortunatekly, forever.

    Mine is up, too.

    http://sitteninthehills64.blogspot.com
  38. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 4:21 PM       Anonymous Says:

    I have goosebumps. Wonderful tribute.

    Mine is up.

    http://dallasks.blogspot.com
  39. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 12:21 PM       Anonymous Says:

    very nice.
  40. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 11:22 AM       Anonymous Says:

    Your tribute is very touching. It is very well written and just by reading your words I can picture a man named John. Thank you for taking the time to honour this man and his family with your tribute.

    Kathy

    Edmonton, AB Canada
  41. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 11:18 AM       Anonymous Says:

    Carl

    simplyleftbehind.blogspot.com

    2996er
  42. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie September 8th, 2006 at 11:17 AM       Anonymous Says:

    Carl

    simplyleftbehind.blogspot.com

    2996er