2006 Stories and Memories

Nov 23, 2006 MEMORIES ON THE  HOLIDAYS

HEY CHUCK,

WELL IT'S THANKSGIVING AGAIN AND I STILL HAVE YOUR MEMORIES TO LIVE BY..I REMEMBER GOING TO TITI CARMENS HOUSE AND DRINKING SOME OF THAT COQUITO YOUR FAVORITE DRINK..LOL..WATCHING THE BOXING MATCH OR THE FOOTBALL GAME IN TIO ERNESTOS ROOM. I STILL REMEMBER YOUR CHEESECAKE FOR THE HOLIDAYS ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED TO MAKE THEM FOR THE FAMILY..CHUCK I TRULY MISS YOU AND THERE IS NOTHING NOR NOONE WHO CAN TAKE YOUR PLACE IN MY HEART. YOU WERE A GREAT AND HUMOROUS MAN WITH A BIG HEART FOR THE FAMILY COLLAZO, RAMOS AND MARGIOTTA ALIKE. I MISS AND LOVE YOU TREMENDOUSLY THE MEMORIES YOU HAVE LEFT WITH ME I CARRY AND HOLD WITH A HEAVY HEART BECAUSE YOU PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MY LIFE WHEN MY POP (ELOY RAMOS) PASSED AWAY..YOU WERE THAT PILLAR DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF KINGS AND CORINTHIANS...THAT PILLAR OF STRENGTH FOR THE FAMILY WHEN MY DAD PASSED AWAY... YOU MOLDED ME IN THAT PILLAR OF STRENGTH AND RETURNED HOME LEAVING ME TO HOLD THAT TORCH AND BE THAT PILLAR OF STRENGTH FOR THE RAMOS FAMILY. IT GETS HARD AT TIMES BUT I CONTINUE TO MOVE ON WITH THE THOUGHT OF YOU IN MY HEART. I HOPE YOU,POP AND MY UNCLE RALPH LINKED UP AND ARE WATCHING OVER US. I WILL REMINISCE OUR GOOD TIMES WITH THE FAMILY DURING THIS THANKSGIVING AND SAY A PRAYER FOR YOU, POP AND MY UNCLE RALPH..I ALSO REMEMBER YOU TELLING ME TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION, AND WORK HARD TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY AT THE TABLE ON THANKSGIVING DAY..WHICH I DID AND CONTINUE TO DO TO THIS DAY AND AM 2 SEMESTERS AWAY FROM GRADUATING WITH MY DEGREE WITH A 3.7 AVERAGE IN YOUR MEMORY. THAT DEGREE WOULD BE DEDICATED TO YOU, POP AND MY UNCLE AND DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO DOUBTED I WOULD EVER BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE. YOU KEPT THE FAITH IN ME AND CONTINUED TO PUSH ME TO DO BETTER IN THE ABSENCE OF MY POP AND UNCLE. THIS THANKSGIVING I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I MISS YOU AND I LOVE YOU MY COUSIN....MY COUSIN... FROM THE HEART I CHERISH ALL THE PRECIOUS MEMORIES FROM HALLOWEEN, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS TO NEW YEARS EVERY YEAR I REMEMBER AND CHERISH OUR MEMORIES. I WANTED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU ALSO.....REMEMBER WHEN YOU USED TO SIT DOWN WITH ME AT THE TABLE WHILE I WOULD CHOMP DOWN THE PASTELES AND YOU WOULD ASK ME IF I WAS GOING TO EAT RICE? AND I HAD SAID "NO I JUST WANTED PASTELES" AND I WOULD PICK OUT THE RAISINS AND YOU WOULD ASK ME WHY WAS I TAKING OUT THE RAISINS? AND I SAID " BECAUSE IT TASTES NASTY" AND YOU SAID IT ADDS FLAVOR TO THE PASTELES WITH A SMIRK ON YOUR FACE AND WE WOULD BOTH WIND UP LAUGHING AND TITI CARMEN IMMEDIATELY WOULD ASK US IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FOOD?..LOL...I REMEMBER THE TIME YOU MISPRONOUNCED COQUITO YOU HAD THE WHOLE HOUSE LAUGHING AT YOUR PRONUNCIATION OF IT. I REMEMBER WHEN PLAYSTATION 2 CAME OUT AND YOU ASKED MY ADVICE ON WHICH SYSTEM TO GET LIL CHUCK WHO IS NOT LITTLE NO MORE...LOL..WELL NOW THEY HAVE A PLAYSTATION 3 AND IT IS AWSOME!!!!...LOL...I MISS YOU CHUCK..I HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF MEMORIES THAT I KEEP BOTTLED UP INSIDE AND WILL CHERISH FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. I REMEMBER YOU CAUGHT ME NEAR THE BRONX AND STOPPED THE FIRE TRUCK AND ASKED WHAT WAS I DOING AROUND THAT AREA THAT IT WAS'NT GOOD TO BE OUT THERE AND I HAD TOLD YOU "I WAS BUYING RECORDS FOR A PARTY I WAS D.J.ING" AND YOU HURRIED ME OUT...LOL...I LOVE YOU CHUCK NEVER EVER FORGET THAT...YOU WERE AND STILL ARE THE BEST COUSIN I HAVE EVER BEEN BLESSED WITH...I MISS YOU... I WILL SEE YOU WHEN I GET THERE....I LOVE YOU...SEND MY LOVE TO POP AND TIO RALPH HAVE THEM KNOW I LOVE AND MISS THEM ALSO THIS THANKSGIVING.

P.S.....I SAW THE MOVIE "FREQUENCY" FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT SINCE YOU RETURNED HOME AND I CRIED A LITTLE BECAUSE I MISSED YOU BUT SEEN THAT YOU STILL WERE STRONG SO I SUCKED IT UP AND STOOD STRONG AS WELL...LOL...I LOVE YOU...I MISS YOU....HAPPY THANSKGIVING IN HEAVEN MY COUSIN....SEND MY LOVE TO POP, AND TIO RALPH.......

I LOVE YOU ETERNALLY,

ANTHONY E. RAMOS

Nov 12, 2006 November 11, 2006
 
 Hey Chuck, I know you are up there right now, most likely showing my father around whereever you 2 may be. But I just want to thank you for the family you have the support they have given me, and i'm sure will continue to give me for the rest of my life. You have a great family. September of 2001 was a month i'll never forget, especially because of my father. Chris was devastated at your death, as we all were. Thats why I almost feel relieved to know that he is up there with you, watching down on both of our families. To Chuck, I love you and Rest in Peace. To Dad, you are and always will be my hero and best friend, I'll never forget the times we spent together, and we all love you and miss you.
 
 Brian Logan

Oct 17, 2006 Belmar Days

Hey Chuck,thinking about you all the time,but Belmar always sticks in my head,yourself ,Bruce,&Kelly fighting on the front lawn of the beach house,I laugh my ass off whenever I think of the good stories.Alwags thinking of ya your friend forever Dano
 
 Danny Beyar

Sep 23, 2006 FOR CHUCK
 
 For Chuck:

On the anniversary of our greatest American tragedy I am afraid to write anything. I am afraid because words are inadequate. I am afraid because time heals all wounds. I am afraid because I might be cliche or contrite and what I want to be; what I feel inside is angry, and lonely and sad, and proud, and confused.

We spent so much time in the wake of this disaster trying to heal and now that we have, I am afraid we will turn this into some perverse holiday. Not intended as a celebration but as a memorial that will eventually become just that. "It's Hero Day! Grill a dog, crack a beer and don't forget to dust off the flag and put it in front of the house." Don't get me wrong, I want to remember. I want to see candlelight vigils and Angel's circles. I just don't want to minimize what happened. I don't want the vigils and memorials to become the event. I don't want my children's children to think that the cotton candy, the parade and the day off from school came at no charge. People paid. People paid big.

Still, today, mothers are crying, fathers are dying inside. Wives are lonely and children are lost. Families are fragmented; forever altered, their "Heroes" gone.

For me September is bittersweet. It is the seasonal start of my favorite pastime, archery hunting, but with it is the undeniable loneliness of entering the woods without Chuck.. Lieutenant Charles Margiotta died running into the towers while others fled. He was my hunting partner, a hero and a sorely missed friend to multitudes of people like me.

We people of this generation can do those who follow us a service. We can take the time to sit and explain, really explain, what Chuck and more than three hundred others did, and lost, in an instant. Let not their sacrifice become the lumber for some parade stand. Let's remember what it was and what it still is and let's pray for Chuck's wife, his children and his Mom, Dad and brother. Let's pray for all of the lives lost and touched on this day five years ago. Let's pray hard for a few minutes today and hope that those families can find peace of mind and that the rest of us never allow this event to leave our hearts.


Frank Somma

Sep 11, 2006 YOUR ANNIVERSAY

 HEY CHUCK,

I JUST WANTED TO ASK GOD THAT HE BLESS YOU ON THIS SACRED DAY. TO THIS DAY I MISS YOU AND STILL THINK OF YOU AND LOVE YOU EVER SO DEARLY AND ASK THAT GOD ABOVE BLESS YOU AND HAVE YOU RIGHT NEXT TO HIM. YOU WERE AN ANGEL TO THE FAMILY AND A BLESSING IN GENERAL. I TRULY WILL TREASURE THE FAMILY HOLIDAYS WE SPENT TOGETHER ESPECIALLY THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS WHERE YOUR PRONUNCIATION OF COQUITO HAD ME LAUGHING. YOU WERE AN ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER WHEN I USED TO TO D.J. AROUND NEW YORK OR GO OUT AND BUY ALBUMS AND YOU WOULD JUMP OFF THE FIRE TRUCK AND ASK ME "HEY TONE WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" I MISS THOSE GOLDEN YEARS BUT THEN AGAIN WHO DOESNT? I TRULY MISS AND LOVE YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE LOOK OVER YOUR BROTHER MIKE, MY COUSIN NORMA AND THE KIDS, TITI CARMEN, MY COUSIN RUTH, MY UNCLE ERNESTO AND MY COUSIN ERNIE THEY NEED YOUR BLESSINGS ALSO. I LOVE YOU CHUCK..SEE YOU WHEN I GET THERE...

ANTHONY RAMOS

P.S. I FINALLY LEARNED HOW TO MAKE CHEESECAKE...LOL...

Sep 11, 2006 Chuck still has a hand in our lives!

 Mike,

Anne and I went to Oldsmar, FL FD Ladder 54 station today. They built a memorial to the 343 using a piece of steel from the tower and have a walkway with bricks engraved with each name - in numerical order of the company/division. We went on Saturday to see it before the crowds. We found Chuck's brick - listed as Battalion 22. Tried to do a pencil rubbing today, but will need either thinner paper or a piece of charcoal as the pencil did not come out right. I will take some pictures and e-mail them to you; please feel free to add them to Chuck's site. We'll also send a rubbing of the brick.

Next time you are downtown, could you please take a rubbing of Chuck's name - and Lt. Vincent Halloran (my high school friend)- from the memorial at Ten House for us?

After the wreath-laying ceremony, Anne was attracted to a group of FDNY members who were there and one person in particular. She told him she was a survivor from the 81st floor of 1WTC and they had a good cry. Then she mentioned Chuck's name.....this guy was the other driver of Ladder 85! Small world! Twelve hundred miles away and still Chuck brings people together who knew him!

Love,

Anne and Dale Koster

Sep 11, 2006 IN YOUR HONOR!!!
 
 LT. Margiotta And Family... I have heard so many awesome and loving things about you, and in this day of your rememberance and honor of your heroic act for our country, I pray the lord to give the Margiotta's and all extended family members the inner peace you need. Lt.Margiotta you will forever be in our memory, continue to send blessings to your family and friends from up above. Thank you for your bravery and dedication.

 Anonymous

Sep 10, 2006 Just a Memorie
 
 Chuck I have known u almost since we were born, school @ St. Ritas together with Hoot, Paul Mitchell, Gene, Kevin, Joe Radu, Mike Artale, Ralphie, just to name a few. Pop Wanner football and lots of pick up baseball @ the old Blue Willow picnic fields, and a really lot of child mischief. Chuck we may have grew apart as we got older but one thing could not change is how we effected each others lives growing up, and the fact that if I ever needed you, or you needed me; we only needed to pick-up a phone. As you know I and my oldest son were there with our heavy equipment on 9-11 looking for you and all the rest of our brothers that day. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you but we tried our hardest. Yours and Pauls picture and eulogy hang proud in my office for all to see. I love you and miss u. We did have a ton of great times growing up in the old nieghborhood never could have happened without you. Im not going to list them because well you know. See You Soon Your Friend Marty Taylor

Sep 10, 2006 ON THE EVE

HEY CHUCK,

ON THE EVE OF YOUR ANNIVERSAY I JUST WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YES YOU ARE DEFINITELY IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND YES I LOVE AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY. I TRULY MISS YOU...SEND BLESSINGS TO MY COUSIN(S) MIKE, NORMA, NORMA JEAN, AND LIL CHUCK YOUR TWIN OH MY GOODNESS YOU ARE DOUBLES. YOUR MOM AND DAD. SEND THEM MY LOVE AND BLESSINGS FROM HEAVEN FROM THE RAMOS FAMILY HERE IN THE LOWER EAST SIDE. I MISS YOU BIG GUY..LOVE YOU...

-ANTHONY RAMOS-

Sep 3, 2006 MIKE. RE: CARL WAYNE

 
 
 I READ YOUR TRIBUTE TO CARL ON HIS WEBSITE AND FELT I HAD TO COME HERE TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR BROTHER.
IT SOUNDS LIKE BOTH CARL AND CHUCK WERE VERY CARING & UNSELFISH PEOPLE AND YOUR BROTHER PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR HIS FOR HIS UNSELFISHNESS.I HAVE READ ALOT OF THE STORIES HERE AND CRIED FOR
WHAT YOU HAVE LOST.I JUST WANT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO KNOW THAT HERE,IN MY LITTLE CORNER OF THE U.K.
THERE WILL BE A CANDLE BURNING FOR CHUCK ON THE 11TH.

GOD BLESS...

CAROLE

Aug 14, 2006 Chuck, I met your brother

On a recent business trip to NYC/NWK/PHI, I was standing in line at Newark International trying to bump up to an earlier flight home to Chicago, when I noticed a man with a beautiful tattoo on his leg. It was obvious that in the truest sense of the word, this man was wearing his heart on his leg. The man was very engaging, with an infectious laugh and welcoming smile.

I came to find out the guy was a walking contradiction, a Giants fan and Mets fan, who was on his way to Chicago to see the Mets pound lumps on the Cubs.

Talking with him and his lovely wife in the waiting area, he told me of his brother who gave his all on September 11 and how his love for his brother was displayed on his leg. He told me where I could meet his brother and see for myself what Chuck the man was all about.

I have been blessed with a job that allows me travel throughout 23 states meeting and training emergency responders. Much of this training is done in very rural communities that are all volunteer.

Often during the classroom portion, there are opportunities to share with the group life's experiences and people you have met and things you have seem.

With all due respect to Chuck and Mike, I will tell these dedicated volunteers, who come out on Wednesday night and Saturday morning, about a couple of guys I know from New York, one who is living and one who is living in his brother's heart. And that New York City is filled with people with great hearts.

Jim Guseman

Jun 18, 2006 Happy Father\\\'s Day

Chuck...there is never a second of the day that I don\'t think of you, but today is when I think of the father you were and the strength you gave your kids to be the young woman and young man they have become.

No one person could ever take your place, but you can be proud of the job Norma has done with the kids. We know your presence guides her everyday.

I love you and miss you.

Your Brother...now and forever.

 Mike Margiotta

May 12, 2006 Chief's Rep, Treasurer, U.F.O.A.

Dear Mike, Norma and children,
It was a pleasure to have all of you to dinner and the Bravest Scholarship Award Ceremonies last night. Norma you have made your father very proud and we are sure you will excell in life as Chuck did. I had the pleasure of working with Chuck for a number of years when he was assigned to 40 Truck and I was in 28 Truck. Many funny and fond memories will stay with me forever. Good luck, good health to all of you! God bless, stay safe. Warm regards, Jack McDonnell

Mar 31, 2006 THE ONLY ONE I COULD CALL
 
 I WAS CLEANING MY GLOCK 9MM THE OTHER DAY AND IT BROUGHT ME BACK TO WHEN CHUCK SAVED THE DAY FOR ME...I WAS FRESH OUT OF THE POLICE ACADEMY, MAYBE A MONTH OR SO AND I WAS ALL COOL AND MACHO ABOUT CARRYING A GUN AND OFCOURSE I WANTED TO CLEAN IT A MILLION TIMES A DAY EVEN THOUGH I DIDNT HAVE TO. WELL, I CLEANED IT ALL RIGHT, SHINEY AND NEW, NOW THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS I DIDNT REMEMBER HOW TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER. IM SITTING ON THE KITCHEN TABLE IN MY PARENTS HOUSE WITH A GUN IN A MILLION PIECES, STUNNED BECAUSE I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO...THATS WHEN THE CHUCK PHONE CALL HAPPENED. "CHUCK ITS MIKEY MAURO, I NEED YOUR HELP IM SCREWED" I SAID. OFCURSE HE THOUGHT SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED AND WHEN I TOLD HIM HE WAS AS CALM AS COULD BE. "PUT EVERYTHING IN A BAG AND COME OVER" HE SAID. SO OFF I WENT UP THE BLOCK ON INGRAM AVE RINGING CHUCKS BELL WORRIED AS COULD BE. THE DOOR OPENS AND CHUCK HAS THIS SMILE ON HIS FACE, IM NOT SURE TO THIS DAY IF IT WAS A SARCASTIC SMILE OR A SMILE BECAUSE HE WAS ABOUT TO PLAY WITH A GUN. CHUCKIE DIDNT JUST PUT IT TOGETHER FOR ME, HE WHIPPED OUT OIL, RAGS,AND A BOOK ABOUT 9MM GLOCKS AND GAVE ME A FULL LESSON ON MY GUN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. THAT WAS ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO AND IM GLAD THAT MEMORY WAS REFRESHED IN MY MIND.
CHUCK...YOU TRULY WERE ONE OF A KIND.
 
 MIKE MAURO

Mar 15, 2006 Dreams and Jokes

Chuck and I are still together in my dreams at night. We are always having a great time, usually hunting together or having fun somewhere. I also go through the day laughing out loud when I think of what Chuck would say when I see something that I know he would comment on. Chuck had a great sense of humor and he would make everyone around him smile with his funny comments.

Bruce

Feb 19, 2006 Flashback

 I was at Sarah's graduation party this past Saturday night. Besides how impressed I am with Sarah (the beauty, poise, grace and confidence about which I could write chapters)something else significant happened. I had a virtual "Chuck" moment. The flashback took me to 1975 at a Moore Catholic dance. There were a group of us gathered together in a sort of circle. I know Gary was there and Mike and me. Beyond that I am sure it was the usual suspects (Mike probably remembers every name and the song that was playing). What I remember is Chuck, thrust into the center of the circle with his feet going like Jennifer Beales during "Maniac" in Flashdance. He wore a certain face with a distictive head-bob when he did things like this. If you know Chuck, you can picture the move as you read this.

Anyway, back to the graduation party. At about 11pm, long after (Thank God!) the Karaoke had ended, I saw little Michael in the middle of the dance floor with a bunch of kids in a sort of circle. He wore the EXACT same face and kept time with the EXACT same head-bob as his uncle. I was instantly transported to the Moore gym in '75. I was actually lost in it for a few minutes. I managed to pull myself out of the reverie and comment to Big Mike how much Michael looked like Chuck. From the look in Mike's eyes he was still at the same Moore dance I had just left.

Yo, Little Michael...even though you weren't aware...Thanks for the memories. I felt GREAT.
 
 Frank Somma

Feb 05, 2006 QUICK FISHING

So everyone thinks I dreamt this up...

I was maybe 5 years old. However old you are when you aren't able to see the cars driving next to you because you're no longer in a car seat and can't see out the window. The family was headed to Meemo and Pa's for a barbeque. I know we were on the Expressway...AN expressway...couldn't tell you which one because I didn't know that there was more than one at the time. We were surprised to see your red truck driving in front of us. It was just you and Aunt Norma. We pulled over to the side of the highway and you told Daddy that you were going fishing "in there", somewhere amongst the trees. I'm not sure if Michael was with us...the "King" may already have been at the house if he'd slept over the night before. So my parents got back in the car and I stayed with you. Aunt Norma stayed in the truck on the side of the road and we went into the woods til we came to some sort of water. Now this I got a kick out of...you used dough for bait! I don't remember catching any fish or even how long we stayed. Maybe you were trying to get some guppies for the pirranas you had at home. I remember squatting down at the edge of the water and you explaining everything as you did it. I don't think I said a word the whole time. I was shy at that age; but I always liked to do things like that with you even if it meant just watching. And you knew that. We walked back to the truck. Aunt Norma was still there. Then we drove to Meemo's with no words about it---as if it were normal to do what you just did. But that's how you always made it seem. No matter how crazy the things you did were, you were never questioned about them, only inquired. Everyone wanted to know more about those things, every detail. And you let everyone in on those things. You had something for everyone. And you always shared it. Your excitement in everything gave everyone something to be excited about wtih YOU.

So if I dreamt this, so be it...but I don't think there's one single memory that could sum up better how I always thought of you and all that you meant to me...

Love you and miss you,
Sarah

Jan 15, 2007 Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Chuck...you must get a kick out of watching me shovel on your birthday...that was your job.

There is so much to say. Norma Jean will be attending Wagner College in the Fall. You must be so proud of her...we all are.

Last week Sarah graduated from Delaware. Mommy gave us heart attacks because she couldn't find Sarah's name in the commencement program. We all had flashbacks of when you were left out of your Brown University Yearbook. Upon further review we found Sarah's name listed all by itself because she was the ONLY student to graduate early from the HONOR'S program.

I know you wanted to be there. I know this because of what happened early in the morning. Michael came home the night before because we were leaving at 6:30am. He was all set to go with his suit...one problem...he forgot to bring his shoes home. You came through again. Michael wore your FDNY uniform dress shoes!

I know you always walk with us...I just didn't realize how close.

There are so many times I want to call you, and so much I want to talk to you about. So much has happened over the last 4 years. I want to catch up on everything. I know you are always with me...but for selfish reasons I want to physically see you, hear you and feel you.

The void in my life is tremendous and it seems to grow with every day that passes.

You can NEVER be replaced, I know that now
So I live day to day, though I know not how
Thoughts of you, keep me strong
Though the days are lonely and the nights are long
Sometimes I get lucky with a funfilled dream
Of you and me...Oh what a team


Love,
Your brother

Jan 2, 2006 HOLIDAY GREETINGS

CHUCK HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE CD I FINALLY MADE YOU FOR CHRISTMAS. YOU HEARD YOUR NAME OVER THE SPEAKER AS YOU WERE THROWING THE FIRST BALL AT A GIANT OPENING GAME. CHUCK ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS. LOVE YOU FOREVER. HUGS AND KISSES ALWAYS. YOUR SIS RUTHIE