Remembering Michael Joseph Zinzi

Michael Joseph Zinzi worked on the 100th floor at One World Trade Center (North Tower). He was a vice president and certified public accountant for Marsh & McLennan, an insurance company.

Mike lost his life on September 11, 2001 during the terrorists attacks. I'd like to take a few moments to tell you about him.

One of Mike's hobbies was motorcycles. He rebuilt a 1956 K-Model Harley-Davidson with his father. He loved riding this bike even though it didn't have any shocks. Then, after having his name on a waiting list for three years, he got the call that a 1999 Heritage Soft-Tail Classic Harley-Davidson was waiting for him. He and his wife, Dyan, enjoyed riding and took lots of road trips together. Dyan eventually got her motorcycle license, too. On one trip through Connecticut they spotted an 883 Sportster Hugger, the mate to Mike's Aztec Orange Heritage. This would be the Christmas gift for Dyan.

Through the years, they rode the winding roads near their home and even to Vermont and Bike Week at Lake George, they also rode in many charity bike runs.
"I wanted to enjoy a couple of years doing that with Mike," Dyan Zinzi said.

Mike and Dyan met at a company they both worked at. When Dyan found out that Mike was leaving the company in two weeks, she immediately asked him out. One week later, she told her mother, "This is the one that I'm going to marry." Five years later, she did just that.

After getting married, Mike had hoped to become a father. In the fall of 2000, Dyan agreed to lay down her helmet. They had a son, Dean Michael, on July 8, 2001. Having Dean was the high point in Mike's life. He gladly took his turn changing diapers, feeding and loving Dean. Fatherhood completed Mike.

The last month of Mike's life was one of his happiest ever. In August, he attended his grandparents 59th wedding anniversary dinner where he got to see his family, including his dad in from Texas. This was just one of the many opportunities Mike took to show off his pride and joy, Dean.

Mike's 37th birthday was September 2. That following week while at home "I told him how happy I was and he told me how happy he was at this point in his life. He said he had everything," Dyan said.
On September 9th, they went riding for the first time since before the baby, a charity run from Parsippany to Newark. "It was just wonderful," Dyan said. "Doing that again. Together."

Two days later, Mike kissed Dyan and Dean goodbye and patted his son's head. "He was looking at the baby and saying, 'He's such a good boy,'" Dyan recalled. "He was so happy. He wanted to be such a good dad, and he was." It was 6:40 am. Dyan remembers hearing the garage door open, then close and she remembers smelling Mike's cologne on Dean's forehead where he kissed him. Then Mike drove off to catch the train.

"A happy wife is a happy life," Mike was fond of saying. Mike made Dyan a happy woman and in return, Mike Zinzi left this world a happy man. He had a wife that adored him, a beautiful baby boy, a nice home and a career that he worked hard in and enjoyed. He was a wonderful, thoughtful, smart, ambitious man with an easygoing personality and had a smile for anyone he came in contact with.

He will be missed by everyone. Dean now has his own guardian angel watching over him.

Although I never met Mike personally, I could tell that he was a man of strong character and family was very important to him. I wish that I had known Mike, he's the type of guy that you would enjoy being around.

My heart goes out to his family and friends and especially Dyan and Dean.

June 2004 -
Mike,
Today would have been your 3rd Father's Day.
Dean is doing very well and asks about you. I
tell him that you love him very much. He's
beginning to understand what "past away"
means. Dean is going to be 3 very soon and I
know that you are proud of him. I miss you so
much and I hope that you can see your beautiful
son thrive. I share memories of you with Dean
everyday...i.e, when I see a couple riding their
Harleys, I tell Dean that his Daddy and I did
that, etc. You are and will be in my heart and
thoughts forever.
Miss you, love you,
Dyan
Dyan Zinzi (NJ )

"He loved his wife and his son. He loved life," said Sue Kievit of Kinnelon, a close friend, along with her husband, Ken.

To view other tributes, please visit -

Remembering Vladimir Savinkin

Cantor Fitzgerald which was located on the 101st-105th floors of One World Trade Center, lost 658 employees, or about two-thirds of its workforce, in the September 11, 2001 attacks, considerably more than any other company, including the Fire Department of New York.

Of those 658 people, I’d like to tell you what I’ve learned about one. His name was Vladimir Savinkin. Vladaimir came to the United States around 1995 from Odesa, Ukraine at the age of 16 and attended Pace University. “None of his friends knew his real age,” said his father, Valeriy Savinkin. "He was more mature than all his friends, who were actually 19 or 20," he said. "He was very, very responsible and reliable."

Vladimir Savinkin accomplished a lot in his young age. He was only 21 years old and already graduated Pace University, knew how to care, helped many people and never forget about his family and his fiancée. He worked for Cantor Fitzgerald about 6 months. His goal was never stop learning , be optimistic, and do not forget about others.



Olga Lerman, Vladimir's girlfriend of four years, said they met in a Russian chat room on the Internet. "I really liked how he was talking. He was very polite. I liked that in a guy," she said. When they met three weeks later, "It was love in the first place."

Their birthdays are a day apart in May, so they always celebrated together. They had spoken about marriage, she said, and had planned a vacation to Odessa, the city they were from. "He was the leader of our group," she said, the one who most often made the plans for their clique of four young couples.

Vladimir was an accountant with Cantor Fitzgerald, and lived with his parents and sister in Midwood, Brooklyn. He had recently bought a new Acura, impressing his father.




Here’s what others have said about him:

I did not know Vladimir, but my husband used to work with his Dad. My husband was telling me that Vladimir called his father every day during lunch just to see how his day was going. Also, from people who have seen Vladimir around the neighborhood I've heard that he was a very nice guy: always polite, always greeting people with a smile.
My thoughts and prayers are with Vladimir's family always and especially now during this time of remembrance...
-Unknown

You were a true, dedicated friend, full of dreams making them a reality. Your warmth attracted many, and will still attract for many years to come. We will never forget you, rest in peace.
-Max Lukovsky (Brooklyn, NY)

We were friends in college, at one point we were really close friends, but I finished school earlier, and... We never kept in touch, but while we were friends he was a good friend and I will always treasure memories we had together.
Sam

Rest in peace, you still alive in my heart
-Sam Chenker (Brooklyn, NY)


You were working in those towers that dark September day
No one knew of those evil plans that were being made.
You lost your life so tragically when those towers collapsed away.
Your family has lost you and now their lives have forever changed.
The world will not forget your very brave and courageous name.
You came to the United States six years ago from the Ukraine.
With your maturity your friends really didn’t know your true age.
You were more responsible and reliable more mature in every phase
You lived with your parents and sister you were loved, totally adored.
You are a true and dedicated son and brother now and forever more.
Your warmth attracted many you were a friend to everyone for sure.
You could light up a room with your smile it was so sincere.
Your mother, father and sister hold your memory and love close and ever near,
Your courage and your strength help them to face their pain and all their tears.
You are never far away you are smiling down from Heaven above,
You are a guardian angel hero protecting the family that you love.

Written By
Diane Huggins
© 2002 11/22

Although I didn’t know Vladimir personally, I know that he was well liked, full of life with strong family bonds. Vladimir, you are truly missed. My heart goes out to his loved ones.

Vladimir Savinkin is an angel who will forever shine in our heart and our soul.



December 31, 2006 -
I just read this tribute,
I am Olga Lerman his fiancée, 5 years past, Miss you Vladik very much…I am so happy that so many people read this tribute.. My love!, I love you so much, it is 31 of December I would like to wish you happy new year! Please know that my love will be forever! I promise till my last days I will remember you, I will help your sister Galochka and your parents, remember our love times, tell about you all people who will know me, you will never be forget THAT IS MY PROMISE . I LOVE YOU BABY!


Re-posted from Sept 11, 2006

MLB Realignment Neeed

I've been meaning to post this since I watched it on Sportscenter. The MLB is in major need of a realignment. It's time for a change. Over the past 10 years, ballpark attendance has remained stagnant. We need to stimulate growth for America's favorite pastime.

Buck Showalter has a good idea, although, maybe not perfect.

His idea is to do away with the American League and National League. Choose either DH or no DH, either way. Get rid of two teams.

The next part is what sold me on his idea. Every team plays every other team in the MLB. Three home games, three away games at every ball park. I would love to see every ball club come to our park. Interleague play is alright, but it's mostly always the same team. I realize the need for division rivalries, but playing the same teams 14 and 18 times a season? I would love to see the Phillies and the Cardinals, the Mets and the Dodgers.

What a treat it would be to have ALL of the clubs come through each and every stadium? I know it would raise attendance. I think it would also raise awareness of the other ball clubs. I know that I only care to see the AL box scores and then mostly my division.

There are other realignment ideas out there, but I like Showalter's plan the best.

Either way, MLB needs to make some changes.

And That's What I Think.

2,996 Tribute Again

This September 11 will be the 8th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In 2006 I participated in being a contributor and remembering one of the victims of this horrific crime. Here is the link to my memorial for Vladimir Savinkin.

D. Rowe, the organizer for 2,996, is asking that each of the 2,996 victims are remembered on 9/11. Not as they were portrayed in the news but as they were as regular people.

He will assign you a name and ask that you write a tribute to the life of your given person for their family.

Lest we never forget the victims much less the crime against America. Please sign up and participate.

Here is the link for 2,996.

And That's What I Think

Another N. Texas Roadway Gets A Name

This article was brought to my attention simply because every road we have here in North Texas has a name as well as a number designation. I've included the article even though I feel that it is poorly written. See below the article for my explanation.

By ELVIRA SAKMARI

As if having people refer to North Texas highways by numbers, names or a combination of both wasn't confusing enough, there's now another name to try to remember.

The North Texas Tollway Authority announced Tuesday that the 121 Tollway will now be known as the Sam Rayburn Tollway.

Named for the late congressman from North Texas, the Sam Rayburn/121 Tollway stretches 26 miles from business Highway 121 near the Dallas-Denton County line to U.S. 75 in Collin County and passes through Allen, Carrollton, Coppell, Fairview, Frisco, Lewisville, McKinney, Plano and The Colony.

Rayburn represented Texas' 4th Congressional District, serving 16 North Texas counties, and was the longest-serving speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1940 and 1961.

As further evidence of why Rayburn was picked, the NTTA points out Rayburn created the Interstate Highway System.

"So, it is only fitting that his name becomes associated with a critical NTTA project which enhances mobility throughout North Texas. His impact was felt throughout the country, but North Texas was always home,” said NTTA chairman Paul N. Wageman.

The NTTA board considered three short-listed names for the road: Sam Rayburn Tollway, Interurban Tollway and 121 Tollway. The name change passed on a 6-3 vote.

According to the Dallas Morning News, three board members, two from Denton County and one from Collin County were against the name change and wanted it to remain known as the 121 Tollway.

A ceremony marking the naming of the tollway will be held later this spring. Motorists can expect to see signs going up bearing the new name over the next several weeks.

North Texas really didn't need another named road. Check out the list of roadways known by number and name:

I-30/Tom Landry Freeway (from west of downtown Dallas to downtown Fort Worth)
I-20/Ronald Reagan Freeway (west of I-635 into Fort Worth)
1-35E (south of downtown Dallas) & I-30 (east of downtown Dallas)/R.L. Thornton Freeway
1-35E (north of downtown Dallas)/Stemmons Freeway
U.S. 75/Central Expressway
S.H. 161/President George Bush Turnpike
S.H. 183/Airport Freeway
S.H. 287 (from West Loop 820 to downtown Fort Worth)/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway
S.H. 360 (through Arlington) Angus G. Wynne, Jr. Freeway
I-45 (downtown Dallas to I-20)/S.M. Wright Freeway
I-45 (south of I-20)/Julius Schwepps Freeway
U.S. 175/C.F. Hawn Freeway
I-635/LBJ Freeway
Spur 366/Woodall Rodgers Freeway
S.H. 114/John Carpenter Freeway
E. Loop 12/Walton Walker Freeway
U.S. 67 (North of I-20)/Marvin D. Love Freeway
U.S. 67 (South of I-20)/S.G. Alexander Freeway
U.S. 67 (In Ellis County)/J. Elmer Weaver Freeway
I-35W (north of Fort Worth)/North Freeway
I-35W (south of Fort Worth)/South Freeway
I-30 (east of Fort Worth)/East Freeway
I-30 (west of Fort Worth)/West Freeway
S.H. 199/Jacksboro Highway
S.H. 114 (from Southlake to 377)/Northwest Parkway

Way to go NTTA; confuse some more people who move to North Texas.

My response to this article:

Although I agree with the article overall, I find no evidence that Sam Rayburn "created the Interstate Highway System".

Other than he "strongly supporting the construction of Route 66" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Rayburn), he had no input into the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System that I am aware of.

As Speaker of the House, he gave permission for tax legislation to be drafted to raise gasoline tax to pay for the interstate system. He also fought against the Teamsters Union to get this bill passed.

While I agree that Sam Rayburn is worthy of an honor such as this, I disagree that he "created the Interstate Highway System".

And That's What I Think!

Michael Jackson

THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A SOLDIER IN IRAQ .

Okay, I need to rant.

I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael
Jackson . As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an
entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent
millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many
people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and
I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point
of my rant.

Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their
minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the
country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to
flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to
hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?

Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a
freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What
about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those
Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war,
still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the
United States of America . Where is their moment of silence? Where
are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over
them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a
Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank
God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of
GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead,
throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"

I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS
for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every
service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . They need to PUBLICLY
recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people
can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE,
those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for
them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have
been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never
make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit
songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat
and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.

Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass
this along if you want..

Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is
serving in the military: "So that others may live..."


--
Isaac


I think that says it all!

Does Baseball Need A National League?

The 2009 All-Star game goes to the American League. Was there any doubt? Not really. The National League has not won the All-Star game in the last 13 attempts.

So I ask you, do we need a National League in Baseball?

It doesn't seem to me that the National League are doing anybody any good, as far as baseball in general is concerned. Granted, the Dodgers are having a really good year [thanks to the former Yankees manager (American League)] and the Phillies did win the World Series in 2008.

As long as the National League teams are playing against each other, their fans think they are watching good ball games, but match them against the American League and you might as well forget about it.

The real point I'm trying to make is that we really don't need an All-Star game. It's just a lot of pomp and circumstance. I'm all for letting the players have some time off half way through the season. I just don't agree that the All-Star game should be played. You're giving the most popular players in the MLB the opportunity to injure themselves by doing something that is useless.

The All-Star game doesn't mean anything. Anything the players do during the game is fruitless and doesn't count toward their stats. So why bother?

And That's What I Think.

Wii - Hab

On a recent trip to El Paso, I noticed a blurb on the front page of the El Paso Times that stated "Wii-hab for injuries".

Intrigued, I picked up the paper to peruse at a later time.

As you may or may not know, I too, was a victim of the Wii , which included a hospital visit.

Let me expand, this past New Years I found myself at my mother's house playing wii bowling with her, myself, my brother and my wife.

At somewhere around midnight, after much alcohol consumption, we were really getting down to it. Before I go on, I must first explain how it is that my mother Wii bowls. Granted, she was a skilled bowler in her day and has the trophies to prove it, but we were miles from a real bowling alley.

She steps up to the imaginary line, toes even, knees bent, leaning slightly forward, hands together. Then she takes two quick steps, swings her right arm back, then throws it forward and she goes down on one knee. Strike! I find this humorous due to the fact that it's a game, on a TV, in the living room.

Quite the opposite is my brother who refuses to even rise from his chair as he does a twisting of the arm as it raises. Strike!

Now, in my drunken humor (or is that stupor), I proudly, and I'm sure loudly, proclaim that I will indeed give the finest example of how my mom bowls.

I step up to the imaginary line, knees bent, leaning slightly forward, shake my rump ever so exaggeratedly, take a small step forward, swing my arm, and do a flip, right there in the middle of the living room! Oh, am I a funny guy . . . was my thought two seconds before I catapulted my self through the air.

Two seconds after I landed, I realized three things. Number one: I'm not as young as I used to be or think I am. Number two: Alcohol and the Wii don't mix. And number three: That was really stupid.

Now, as I writhing in pain, laying in the fetal position, unable to stand or even straighten out, I ask the most important question of the night . . . Did I get a strike?!?

My mom imediately thinks that this is all a joke, because I won't miss a chance for a joke, ever. My wife knows differently, though. Against my better judgement, yeah, so far my judgment has been on target tonight, they load me up into the van and off we go to the emergency room. If I wasn't in so much pain, I would have been yelling like a siren out the window. It was just one of those nights.

Four hours later, after some pain meds through an IV, a couple of CAT scans and a stern warning from the resident nurse to lay off the Wii for a while, I finally got to go home.

The prognosis you ask? I pulled my lower abdominal muscles severely. I must clarify, that the two weeks previously I had had a sinus infection and with all the sneezing and blowing my nose, I had already been feeling sore in my lower stomach. What we all were thinking on the way to the hospital was that I'd gotten a hernia.

Had it indeed been a hernia, this story would not be embarassing, however . . . . .

Two last things: That story in the El Paso Times was about how they use the Wii to help rehab patients and lastly, YES I DID GET THE STRIKE!!

And That's What I Think.