There are 2,996 victims to remember. In reflection and memory of the fifth anniversary of September 11, 2006, 2,996 stories will be told today. Please take some time to read more of them.This is the story of one Frank Bonomo, a dedicated New York Firefighter who left behind a legacy of laughter and selfless action.

Dear Frank,

Hi. You don’t know me, but I’ve been privileged to learn about you, your life, and those who loved you endlessly. I have been privleged to learn of a life marked by kindness, courage, and family, and perhaps even what one could deem “copious” amounts of golf.

See, months and months ago, I read about a project designed to remember every single victim stolen from us on 9.11.01, and some months ago I added my name to the rapidly growing list of those who were pledging to celebrate the lives of those lost that ashen September day five years ago.

You are name 242 on the list of 2,996. I’m sure you know this by now, but I was chosen to celebrate you.

So, you see, my point is: I am honored to be here. I am honored to be offered the chance to not only thank you for your work, your dedication, and your bravery in the midst of chaos, but to also assure your family that your memory is far from fading.

I read here about your career-long dedication and your 17-year commitment to Engine Company 230 in Brooklyn. I read about your devotion to your family. I read about your memorable sense of humor, and about the putting green your wife so vividly remembers you taking great joy in self-constructing one year alongside the house.

I read countless tributes to you, Frank. Tributes about how much you loved your family, and about how much you enjoyed the sport of golf. Tributes to your broad smile and your endless supply of jokes. Tributes to your vibrant 42 years. Tributes heralding your character, your courage, your ability to provide for and make those around you laugh.

Tributes like those written by Chris Hayden in March 2002 and Mike Burkoff in December, 2003:

Knowing Frank from growing up in our neighborhood in Setauket, we are so proud of his ultimate sacrifice to help his fellow man. We pray for his family and know that he is resting peacefully. God Bless you, Frank and your family. We will never forget 9/11.

There are no fires to put out and lives to save where you are now, Frank. Hope you are one-putting every hole!

Your best friend Charlie misses you daily.

Countless prayers and hopes for peace have been and continue to be addressed to your wife, Margarite, and to your beautiful children, Joseph and Juliana.

Myriad strangers signed guestbooks in your memory, therein proudly sharing their appreciation and their love for you by their admissions that they, too, were donning mercy bracelets in your honor, engraved with your name.

Your sister Lenore wrote back to those writing to share their love and their condolences to the family:

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I am Frank’s sister. My family and I are so very grateful for the unbelievable kindness of friends, relatives and total strangers. Thank you for wearing the Mercy Bracelets. We must never forget. We all miss Frankie terribly and our lives will never be the same. His children remind us of him daily. Thank you and keep praying.

As did you sister Mary:

From the family of Frank Bonomo, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. In these rough times it is wonderful how the country and how families pulled together and were there for each other. We appreciate how you were there for Frank and our family.
Thank you and may God Bless you and your family.

But perhaps my favorite testimonial to you, Frank, was written by a young girl set to dance in your memory:

In my dance recital in April, we are doing a special tribute dance to “Angels Among Us” for those who died during 9/11. Each dancer is wearing a white shirt with the name printed on in black of someone who died during 9/11. We got shirts randomly, and I will proudly wear the name of “Firefighter Frank Bonomo.” To his family - God bless you & him. As we dance our candlelit dance, those watching will remember & love those who gave their lives in 9/11.

Kelsey Zach, Humphrey, NE

It makes me smile to think of Kelsey dancing proudly for you that day. And it makes me smile to consider this letter to you, my very own white shirt. I pledge to wear my shirt proudly, to wear it boldly and without fear, as you did for seventeen years.

I will wear it in supportive memory of an exceedingly brave man who was indeed so very loved, and whom will be missed and remembered for generations to come. A man whose memory will forever stand tall and strong, powerful and selfless, every time we stop to remember.

Thank you, Frank. For who you were, and for what you did. Thank you for the lives you saved in offering your own as sacrifice.

Thank you for simply and routinely responding to a call that was neither simple nor routine.

May you be, this very moment, enjoying your own peaceful dance, amidst clouds and pillars of love that will never crumble.