 Dear Friends and Fellow Setonians:
On behalf of the Prep Community I assure all of our
families that since the first moment of the recent tragedy, which we watched from our building-you have been in our prayers. These days have found
our community in private prayer, celebrations of the Eucharist and Prayer Service, thanking God for the protection of those who are well and praying for
those members of our families who have been injured or lost. We also are praying for the faith, support and strength needed by our affected families.
May God bless us all. Hazard Zet Forward. —Father Mike Kelly '57
I had the opportunity to play football with Robert. I hadn't thought of him since graduation in 1971. By
chance I went to the Seton Hall home page and saw the announcement about the 9/11 tragedy, I was
deeply affected and thought of this quote: No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind;
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee. John Donne
(1571 - 1631), Meditation XVII- Rick Pawlewicz '71I would just like to send my condolences out to the family and friends of Matthew Selitto.
I remember him best from the fun we had in theatre arts class in our senior year. I will never forget the fun we had when the class went to see The Phantom of The Opera in
New York. We shared many classes and funtimes at SHP and we are all losing out by not having him at reunions in the future. I was deeply saddened when I read of his passing,
and although we were not close friends, he will be missed. A. R. Carrión Class of 1996
It was sad enough from 1000 miles away to see fellow human beings dying needlessly. To recently have learned that members of my extended family, "My Prep Family", have
passed away in this tragedy, deeply crushes me . I believe that this was a heartrending,massive wake up call to all Americans, that this country, this world , cannot
continue to ignore, abuse and disrespect each other. Faith and Prayer will guide us, but only when it is combined with some action to help the person or neighbor next to you. I
can think of no better way to honor their deaths, than by living each day truly caring how our one person's actions can have a positive effect on just one other person's life. Our
deepest sympathy and regrets. Mark A. Vitelli and Family Class of '79 The attack on America has left a void in all of us. It is a time for us to have an evaluation
of our life as to where we are and 'where we are going? Is God with us in our journey? If God is with us nothing could go against us. • The fall of World Trade center, something
that was unimaginable, shows us that what we see today may not be there tomorrow. Tomorrow it could be our own world collapsing around us. But our faith in God will stand
tall and strong. Our unconditional love for others will stand tall. No terrorism can collapse it. Our love will conquer all the hate. We are all sinners. God himself has inteceded for
our salvation. Let us examine ourselves. With prayers —Thomas Thottukadavil I am deeply saddened to hear about Tommy Knox and the other Prep grads who died in
last week's bombings. As Chris Conte mentioned in his message, Tommy's friendship crossed all cliques - he didn't care who you were, just that you were friendly. He was a
great competitor with a ton of heart and was always able to make people laugh. He played a big part in what made the Class of '87 great. My sympathies and prayers go out
to his wife and family. Tommy, may God hold you in the palm of His Hand.—Ted Haack SHP '87
I am shocked and saddened by the news of Tommy Knox. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tommy and his family. Tom and I were friends and classmates and I will never
forget him. In many was he best typified and was responsible for what was great about the Class of '87. His friendship crossed cliques and brought many of us together. He was
a fierce competitor who played the game of football with more heart than most anyone I can think of. I am proud to have know him. Tommy, from your friend Chris, rest in peace.
—Chris Conte Class of '87
We would like to extend our prayers of hope to all the families of the Prep who have
loved ones among the missing as a result of the Twin Tower disaster, especially the family of Brett Bailey.—John and Rosemary Boyle Our family offers our heartfelt prayers and condolences for those from the SHP
community who were affected by the horrific events of last week. May God Bless our community, our country and our leaders at this most difficult time in our nation.—
Keith Venturella ' 79 and Family Psalm 62:7-8: "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my
refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, and pour out your heart before Him. God is refuge for us."
My thought and prayers are with all SHP alumni who may have been affected by last week's events. Hazard Zet Forward!! —
Carlos N Velez, Ph.D. SHP Class of 1985
We must never forget those who died so tragically. Their deaths must bring all of us closer together so that they did not die in vain! —Tony Pucciarelli '72
To those affected by the horrific acts on Tuesday, Sept. 11th, 2001, stay strong. Those that you loved are in a better place. Do not remember those people because of the
malicious way that their lives were ended, but the wonderful way their lives were lived. You all have my prayers and condolences in this time of mourning. Remember, STAY STRONG!
—Lamar M. Carter, Seton Hall Prep Class of 2004 Our family joins the many other families who are offering their thoughts, prayers and
hopeful wishes towards the families who have already lost a loved one and also to those who still hope. God bless each of us and our country.—The McLaughlin Family
Through the suffering of the nation, we are more united than ever before-
-Lawrence Florio `02
America has gone through a very terrible tragedy, but it has brought us together, as a people, even closer. My deepest condolences go to those who have lost loved ones, while
my most heartfelt wishes go to those who still hope. "The opposite of war isn't peace, it's creation." - Rent — Philip dela Merced '02
It's times like these when we realize just how precious life really is. No longer take freedom for granted. Pray for everyone who lost a loved one and give thanks to those
who survived. Praise and pray for the brave firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, EMTs and all the other everyday heroes who rose and continue to rise to the occasion to
help, some risking their lives and others losing theirs. Trust, support and pray for our President and government as they redeem our country and defend the freedom that this
great nation was founded upon.—The Jasinski Family '03
Dear Mr. Gallo: My brother Sean and I were both very close to this disaster, and it hurts
me a lot to see the names on the SHP website. I was beginning my second day of work in the Trade Center in building 7 on the 30th floor. I have been with Salomon Smith Barney
for 3 1/2 years at 34th St., and I had just transferred downtown. When I felt the first impact, I immediatley thought it was a terrorists' bomb. I was close to a terrorist attack in
Tel Aviv, Israel in June, and I became keenly aware of how this works. I was advised that Arab terrorists will generally set off a small explosion, and then draw a crowd, so they
can set off another one and kill even more people. When we made it down to the Atrium, after going down the stairs, I was thinking that I have to get out before the next one.
Unfortunately, the guards had our doors blocked off. I was running back and forth like a caged mouse. When the second plane hit, it was directly above us in the North Tower.
The shrapnel was raining down on us, and it was at that point that about 20 of us bum-rushed a side door, and the guard moved out of the way. We ran down a hallway,
and we jumped off of a loading dock and ran north. The horror, of course has gotten worse. I never thought those towers would collpase, and I never thought my building
would crumble later in the afternoon. I actually ran with my law books on back, and at one point, they dropped all over Chambers St., and I stopped to pick them up. A woman
stopped to help me, and she looked at me like I was crazy.
Sean had just exited the PATH at world trade, and the first plane flew right over him
into the tower. He could tell you his story better, but we were both close to being on that list. I knew Tom Knox and Brett Bailey, and I had seen them around pretty often in the
last few years. It hurts a lot to know that we made it, and they did not, along with the others.
I want you to know about this because you have a lot of influence at the Prep, and
maybe you can advise the students and administration about the seriousness of this. A lot more people could have lived, but they did not evacuate right away. They went back to
their desks, especially in tower 2. Also, a lot of people were walking toward the Towers as they were burning, because they wanted to take pictures and film it with video
cameras etc. I suspect some of these people were killed when the Tower collapsed and spread shrapnel all over lower manhattan. Since I was acquainted with terrorism once
already, I knew to get out. I sensed terrorism from the first shudder of the building, and I was one of the first ones out. The only bad precaution is the one not taken. Please take
any bomb threat seriously, and teach students not to leave bags unattended. The attacks in Israel have often targeted schools and restaurants and nightclubs where young people
hang out. Terrorism needs publicity to succeed, and the two main targets are often young people and rescue workers. Feel free to pass this message along...I have been in two
terrorist zones in 3 months, and it is very scary. Thank You. —Christopher Roche '92 |
