I cannot believe it’s been 20 years since September 11, 2001, that nightmare of a morning when I lost my father, Ira. So much has happened over these past two decades, but as this summer progressed I realized that I’ve had a difficult tug of war leading up to this week. It’s been 20 years. Isn’t that supposed to mean I have to do something or feel something or say something? While I am not a part of any 9/11 groups or communities, I would imagine that a lot of people who have experienced a great loss such as this may be feeling the same way. There are some days I wish I lost my father in a more ordinary, less public way. On 9/11, the whole world pays attention. People come out of the woodwork to pay their condolences to my father and talk about all of the innocent lives that were lost. It’s a day the world mourns, but also a day when I have come to question whether it’s really been possible for me to properly mourn.
I came upon a link to your story on LinkedIn. I feel like I know your dad personally...his name is always spoken after my last name, Zampieri. My husband's cousin, Robert Zampieri, was on the 92nd floor of Tower 1. I was on the 51st Floor of Tower 1 and was able to escape...and, it haunts me to think of those just floors above who had such a different fate.
I am thinking of you on this upcoming anniversary. And, will feel even more connected to your dad when I hear his name.
Hi Bryan, I just came across your story and wanted to share with you my personal experience with your dad Ira Zaslow .
Honestly I am full of emotion and don't know where to begin and don't know if I can give you a coherent, understanding, of what I want to say, your article about your dad Ira was/is very moving.
I too worked at Lehman Brothers, was a Vice President and was paired with Ira to build and HR database, in fact to the best of my recollection I was to meet with him at 11:30 am at 2 World Trade Center on 9/11 on the 45th floor if memory serve.
It was my understanding that Ira was the only employee from Lehman that perished that day.
I got to this point because I filed a claim with the WTC victims compensation unit and they ask questions like who can verify that you were on the premise/vicinity that day, well after 22 years I am not in touch with any collogues from that time period, so I came across you tribute to your dad and decided to reach out to you, yes he is a person I remember with much esteem.
Sorry for your lost and Ira was a good guy, liked by his colleagues.
I also don’t grieve publicly and left NYC some time after despite being a die hard New Yorker. My best friend wasn’t supposed to be back at work that day at AON. He came back from vacation one day early and left his phone at home. Some of his coworkers made it out but he was suffering from a broken back that was sustained at the Tower elevators a year prior. He was not able to make it down the stairs like they could. The hardest part was watching his parents grieve over their only child and wishing they could give up their life to save his. He came to me in my dreams on two occasions. In the first time, he was standing in front of a group of people and he told me that he was going home now. The second time he came to my dreams, he was not as clear but he hugged me while telling me that he was ok as I sobbed. I still talk to him when times are hard or while I drive. Thank you for sharing the story about your dad. I believe that our friends and loved ones that have passed are still here in a different way and sharing our moments with us.
Bryan, thank you for sharing your father with us and the legacy that he left with you. The chance encounter of meeting PJ at the Eagles concert gave me goosebumps!
I will never forget 9/11. I was headed to NYC that day from the Amtrak platform in Trenton. I drove in from Dresher, PA.
Once the first tower was hit, I awaited my colleagues coming in from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station and returned them to their point of departure, but not before watching on a vendor’s television (inside the train station) that infamous plane hitting the second tower. I was instantly in shock. I could feel my legs give way as I stood and watched, but managed with legs shaking to drive them back to their car.
Once home I got to work searching for my friends in NY by email and phone. To this day, because of 9/11 I never go anywhere without my cell phone.
One of my dearest friends was super thankful I got through to her. While she was ok, she needed someone to get to her kids in NJ. I was happy to help. I reached her mom in Philadelphia instructing her drive to Princeton to get her kids. All of my friends while stranded in NY were safe thank God.
Anyway, thank you for your story and beautiful eulogy of your dad. Every time I see a butterfly now, I will think of Ira.
Your words touched me so deeply, (I am sobbing as I write this). I want to first say, I am so sorry for your loss, your description of him is really beautiful. Secondly, I love that you recognize the signs that he presents to you, it's a gift that he gives them and that you see them.
I wanted you to know that today, you, your words, this article, your eulogy was my sign from my dad. I had recently asked him questions, regarding events in my life that I needed guidance on. And WOW, your words literally answered my questions.
I lost my dad tragically too, and I often think, it had to be this way, it was supposed to be this way. Because when are too many coincidences, not coincidences at all? The same for this article that I randomly clicked on, in a sea of other articles I could have clicked on and got the answers to questions I had asked not days before. Thank you for sharing. Truly, truly THANK YOU.
This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story and wisdom. A butterfly symbolizes a rebirth or resurrection after a person’s death. It’s amazing that you would see a butterfly and feel your father’s presence. He’s always with you.
Amazing how those words are more poignant today then 20 years ago. Really beautiful not Bryan and so inspiring out of such an awful tragedy (much how you have lived your life since that day).
I am beyond proud and happy that you shared your story with the world.
You are sharing wisdom gained and paying it forward!
All my love,
Mom
I came upon a link to your story on LinkedIn. I feel like I know your dad personally...his name is always spoken after my last name, Zampieri. My husband's cousin, Robert Zampieri, was on the 92nd floor of Tower 1. I was on the 51st Floor of Tower 1 and was able to escape...and, it haunts me to think of those just floors above who had such a different fate.
I am thinking of you on this upcoming anniversary. And, will feel even more connected to your dad when I hear his name.
Beth Zampieri
Hi Bryan, I just came across your story and wanted to share with you my personal experience with your dad Ira Zaslow .
Honestly I am full of emotion and don't know where to begin and don't know if I can give you a coherent, understanding, of what I want to say, your article about your dad Ira was/is very moving.
I too worked at Lehman Brothers, was a Vice President and was paired with Ira to build and HR database, in fact to the best of my recollection I was to meet with him at 11:30 am at 2 World Trade Center on 9/11 on the 45th floor if memory serve.
It was my understanding that Ira was the only employee from Lehman that perished that day.
I got to this point because I filed a claim with the WTC victims compensation unit and they ask questions like who can verify that you were on the premise/vicinity that day, well after 22 years I am not in touch with any collogues from that time period, so I came across you tribute to your dad and decided to reach out to you, yes he is a person I remember with much esteem.
Sorry for your lost and Ira was a good guy, liked by his colleagues.
I also don’t grieve publicly and left NYC some time after despite being a die hard New Yorker. My best friend wasn’t supposed to be back at work that day at AON. He came back from vacation one day early and left his phone at home. Some of his coworkers made it out but he was suffering from a broken back that was sustained at the Tower elevators a year prior. He was not able to make it down the stairs like they could. The hardest part was watching his parents grieve over their only child and wishing they could give up their life to save his. He came to me in my dreams on two occasions. In the first time, he was standing in front of a group of people and he told me that he was going home now. The second time he came to my dreams, he was not as clear but he hugged me while telling me that he was ok as I sobbed. I still talk to him when times are hard or while I drive. Thank you for sharing the story about your dad. I believe that our friends and loved ones that have passed are still here in a different way and sharing our moments with us.
Bryan, thank you for sharing your father with us and the legacy that he left with you. The chance encounter of meeting PJ at the Eagles concert gave me goosebumps!
I will never forget 9/11. I was headed to NYC that day from the Amtrak platform in Trenton. I drove in from Dresher, PA.
Once the first tower was hit, I awaited my colleagues coming in from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station and returned them to their point of departure, but not before watching on a vendor’s television (inside the train station) that infamous plane hitting the second tower. I was instantly in shock. I could feel my legs give way as I stood and watched, but managed with legs shaking to drive them back to their car.
Once home I got to work searching for my friends in NY by email and phone. To this day, because of 9/11 I never go anywhere without my cell phone.
One of my dearest friends was super thankful I got through to her. While she was ok, she needed someone to get to her kids in NJ. I was happy to help. I reached her mom in Philadelphia instructing her drive to Princeton to get her kids. All of my friends while stranded in NY were safe thank God.
Anyway, thank you for your story and beautiful eulogy of your dad. Every time I see a butterfly now, I will think of Ira.
Your words touched me so deeply, (I am sobbing as I write this). I want to first say, I am so sorry for your loss, your description of him is really beautiful. Secondly, I love that you recognize the signs that he presents to you, it's a gift that he gives them and that you see them.
I wanted you to know that today, you, your words, this article, your eulogy was my sign from my dad. I had recently asked him questions, regarding events in my life that I needed guidance on. And WOW, your words literally answered my questions.
I lost my dad tragically too, and I often think, it had to be this way, it was supposed to be this way. Because when are too many coincidences, not coincidences at all? The same for this article that I randomly clicked on, in a sea of other articles I could have clicked on and got the answers to questions I had asked not days before. Thank you for sharing. Truly, truly THANK YOU.
This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story and wisdom. A butterfly symbolizes a rebirth or resurrection after a person’s death. It’s amazing that you would see a butterfly and feel your father’s presence. He’s always with you.
Amazing how those words are more poignant today then 20 years ago. Really beautiful not Bryan and so inspiring out of such an awful tragedy (much how you have lived your life since that day).
THAN YOU FOR LETTING US IN AND SHARING THIS!