This was originally written on 9/11/2023
As we watched in horror 22 years ago, we also witnessed remarkable bravery. Some heroes didn’t wear capes that day—some ran straight into burning skyscrapers to save strangers. One of those heroes was my childhood neighbor, Michael Wholey.
I grew up in the suburbs of New York City, where tree-lined streets framed the daily adventures of neighborhood kids, who played until the streetlights signaled the end of the day. In the early 1980s, as I was starting elementary school, my house became the neighborhood’s central gathering spot. It was there, on the front yard, that teenagers from the block would congregate for games of stickball, street hockey, and basketball. And I, a little kid with a big glove and bigger dreams, would watch the "cool kids" from my front lawn, hoping for a chance to join in.
Among those teenagers was Michael. He was 11 years older than me, but we shared a lot. We both had the same first name, our birthdays were just one day apart, and we were die-hard Mets and Jets fans in a neighborhood dominated by Yankees and Giants supporters. To 6-year-old me, Michael was the embodiment of everything I admired.
During the humid New York summers, I remember Michael getting a buzz cut. Naturally, I begged my dad for the same, much to the shock of my mom when I returned home, my curls gone and her tears flowing. But in my mind, I was just like Michael—and that meant everything to me. Outside of my family, Michael was the first person I truly looked up to. He wasn’t just another teenager to me—he was a role model, someone I watched closely, mimicked, and admired. He was a hero in my eyes long before I fully understood what that word really meant.
Fast forward to September 11, 2001. Michael was now 34, a seasoned officer with the Port Authority Police Department, a husband, and a father to three young children. That day, he became a different kind of hero—one the world would recognize.
The photograph I’m sharing shows him in action, assisting a woman outside the World Trade Center in the midst of unimaginable chaos. He was doing what came naturally to him: helping others. That was the kind of person Michael was. After escorting the woman to safety, he went back inside to help evacuate more people. Tragically, he didn’t make it out.
Michael, on the far left, was always a helper
During times of great darkness, Mr. Rogers’ famous words ring true: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” On that day, there were thousands of helpers. Michael was one of them—a helper, a protector, and a true hero.
We should never forget the sacrifices made that day, nor the legacy of those who gave their lives in the service of others. Michael Wholey was one such hero.
9/11/2024 Addendum: A Jets Memory
One of the most cherished memories I have of Michael is tied to our shared love for the New York Jets. My dad, Michael, and I would head to games at Shea Stadium, and later, the Meadowlands, filled with hope that this might be the season. I was just a kid then, excited to be part of something bigger—to witness the same team we both rooted for, even when the victories were few and far between.
On Monday night, I had the chance to relive those memories, this time with my son. We went to the Jets' first game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers, and as we sat in the stands, watching the game unfold, I couldn’t help but see the striking similarities between us. My son and I were watching the game, discussing every play, and, in true Jets fashion, ultimately seeing our favorite team lose. Some things, it seems, never change, Michael!
Yet, despite the familiar outcome, it reminded me how those simple, shared experiences—the games, the camaraderie—build lasting bonds that transcend time and loss.
In 2002, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band released The Rising, their first studio album in nearly two decades. Deeply influenced by the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the album serves as a poignant reflection on loss, resilience, and the search for hope in the face of tragedy. The title track, featured above, encapsulates these themes, offering a powerful tribute to both the victims and the enduring spirit of those left behind.
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