Today, five years after the assault on America by jihadi Muslims, we pause to remember the 2996 people who died in the attacks of September 11, 2001.

As part of a coordinated effort to recall each and every person who died on that fateful day, I offer a few words in memory of Tony Karnes, a software trainer with Marsh & McLennan.

Tony worked in the World Trade Center in New York, and died at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. He was 37 years old, and was survived by his partner John Winter and his sisters Brenda Vandever, Vicky Ratcliff and Gayle Barker.

The New York Times had this to say about Tony Karnes.

William Anthony Karnes made his living as a software trainer for Marsh & McLennan. But his life's passion was touting the virtues of his adopted hometown, New York, regaling his sisters with stories about the wonders of living in the city where anything is possible, a place grander than anything he imagined growing up back in tiny Corryton, Tenn.

At least twice a week, Mr. Karnes, 37, would phone home to Tennessee, as much to say "I love you" as to brag about his latest favorite restaurant, usually some Indian place. "He loved that there was so much to discover in New York," said John Winter, his domestic partner.

And he made sure to share his favorite discoveries. "It was a big kick for him to show us around his city," said his sister, Gayle Barker. "He'd take us to the Empire State Building, the top of the World Trade Center, Rockefeller Center or just walking through the streets."

The one thing Mr. Karnes couldn't find in his beloved Manhattan was true Southern cooking. His love of a good plate of pinto beans, corn bread, mashed potatoes and biscuits always managed to guide him back home to one of his sisters' dinner tables. In her mind, Mrs. Barker still imagines her brother sitting around the table. "I just keep thinking that this isn't really happening, that he's not dead. He's just on a long, long trip somewhere."

Writing three months after Tony's attack, John Winter had this to say about him.

Tony, you were my soulmate and the love of my life. After 3 months I still miss you more than anyone can realize.

The 3 years we had together were blissfully happy and oh how I wish we'd had longer to share our lives with each other.

I still love you so very much. HPD

In Tony's honor, the people of East Tennessee contributed $12,000 towards the purchase of the Freedom Engine -- a fire truck which operates as part of Ladder Company 14 in Harlem.

Tony's sisters offer a ray of hope in the face of the manifest evil of the September 11 attacks.

Tony, your sisters are still hurting. We are only saying goodnight but not goodbye.

To this I simply add a heart-felt "Amen!"

UPDATE 9/14/2006: I've decided to not merely shut, but also to hide, comments on this post. A liberal commenenter could not resist the urge to politicize the non-political while claiming to eschew politics. A Fascist troll began a series of hate-comments directed at me and about Tony. As such, I have taken the only appropriate course of action.

Posted by: Greg at 05:59 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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