A Sad Day

Today is Tuesday September 11th.

Those 5 words need no explanation.

Unfortunately, that sentence means something different to each one of us. To me...it brings back memories of when times were different. Before I had realized what being a man really was all about.

Let me explain....

I met my wife when I was just 20 years old. She comes from a big Italian family and there are many of them....(more than I can count).

One extremely special family are the Vigiano's. The father, John, is a retired Captain from the FDNY. He is remembered as the most decorated fireman in the history of the Department He battled and beat throat cancer to come back to full duty before retiring. His wife is Jeanette worked with special education children throughout her career in the public school system.....(if not enough being married to a fireman is a tough job). They had 2 sons, John and Joe. Both practical jokers like their Dad...both took different roads.

Joey took the test for the NYPD at age 18....he passed with such a high grade that he was called for the job....but had to wait to be of legal age to be hired. He was promoted to Detective at a young age....was shot on 2 separate occasions....and then entered the NYPD's elite Emergency Services Unit (ESU).

John on the other hand joined the FDNY in his father's footsteps. A die hard Ranger fan (I never held that against him)...he was the Alternate Captain of his Firehouse's hockey team. To this day his jersey hangs in the lobby of the Newbridge Skating Rink. Once a year he would rent out the rink and invite all his family and friends for a night of skating....and if you we're tough enough....some hockey after hours.

Both of these men were married to beautiful women and had equally as beautiful children. Joey had 3 boys...(Joey, Jimmy and John) and John had 2 girls (Nicolette and Arianna). They were good husbands and fathers, a parents dream for their children.

On September 11th....both Joey and John lost their lives at the World Trade Center....doing what each was made to do...saving lives.

I can't tell you what September 11th did to their parents, or wives, or their children...(little John was only a few months old when his Dad died), but I can tell you what it did to me.

It made me realize that life on this planet is way too short. Being a good husband, a good father, a good friend and a good general person is what's important. Not everyone can be a fireman, cop or EMT, but we can all make a difference in our lives. I have contemplated entering the Uniform Services for some time now and have even taken steps towards that life....but I knew most importantly that the above qualities are first and foremost.

Joey and John Vigiano helped me mature into a person I can say that I'm proud to be...and I can only hope that I have the ability to take it to the next level.

A few notes....

The Islanders traded disappointing Petteri Nokelaninen to Boston for Center Ben Walter and a conditional 2nd round Pick in 2009. Walter is supposed to have some offensive upside so hopefully a change of scenery will help both of these kids.

First of all kudos to the BST for honoring fan favorite Kevin Colley on their opening night. Colley is now the Assistant Coach for the Utah Grizzlies, our ECHL club.

Also....the new Sound Tigers jersey has been released....(it's really nice).....go to the website and check it out.

Thanks for reading....

Tony