The 2297th Victim

The 2996 Project was made so that all the victims, 2,996, would be remembered on this day. In my heart it should 2,997..because one victim who had no voice is almost always forgotten. Most people have never heard of him...well here he is..and here's my remembrance of him.

On this day eight years ago the world was changed forever. The victims of September 11 should never be forgotten. I'm taking this day to remember a victim who had four legs instead of two. A victim who I feel is forgotten because he wasn't a human. He was a Port Authority Police Canine. A four and a half year 90 pound yellow lab named Sirius. And the only canine officer killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11, 2001 when the first plane hit Sirius was put in his kennel in the basement of tower 2 by his partner Officer David Lim. David told him, "Wait here boy, I'll be back for you." But sadly he never made it back for his partner. David Lim was trapped in a stairwell when the first tower collapsed. While trapped he kept repeating, "Oh no, my dog. I have to save my dog." But Officer Lim along with several others weren't rescued from the rubble for many hours. In the meantime the second tower had collapsed, taking the life of his faithful partner as he sat waiting in his kennel.

On January 22, 2002 Officer Lim received a phone call from Ground Zero, his partner had been found. He returned to the site where his partner had been placed on a gurney and covered with an American flag. As he carried his friend's remains from the rubble all the work on the site stopped. The big machines silenced and salutes were given as Officer Lim made good on his word. He came back for his partner.

On April 24, 2002 a memorial service for Sirius was held in Liberty State Park. Over 100 police and search and rescue dogs attended the memorial. Many of their badges covered by a black ribbon. A trumpeter sounded Taps and bagpipes played Amazing Grace. A single pallbearer carried Sirius' ashes in a wooden urn. Handlers and dogs from as far away as California paid tribute to a fallen officer. Officer Lim was presented with Sirius' water bowl which was recovered from his kennel. It had been inscribed with the words "I gave my life, so that you may save others." In his words to the crowd in attendence Officer Lim said,"I grieve for many friends that I lost that day. I grieve for all those that I didn't know. I also grieve for the best partner I ever had. "

May the dog star shine forever bright in the night sky..you will never be forgotten Sirius.

Robert J. Mayo

True heroism is remarkably sober and very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost. But the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

September 11th 2001 was a day I won't ever forget. It was a tragedy, but out of tragedy came stories. Stories of courage, love, compassion, loss and sacrifice..and stories of everyday people becoming heroes. Please allow me to take the time to introduce you to one of those heroes. He was a 46 year old deputy fire safety director at the World Trade Center. His name was Robert J. Mayo. His life was lost when the second tower collapsed. But before I tell of his demise, I'd like to share a few things I learned about his life..a life taken far too soon. He was a husband to Meryl and a father to an only son Corbin. He had a big heart and took in and nursed stray animals back to health. He loved planning family vacations. He enjoyed landscaping and working around his house. He and Corbin were both huge Giants fans. So much so that they turned their family room into a "shrine". They put on Giants hats, drank from Giants glasses and watched the games together. He was a thoughtful and loving father to his son. Leaving notes each day to his son..scraps of paper, backs of envelopes or napkins..just anything to leave a message on..whether it was good luck on your test, have a nice day or most importantly...I love you..he made sure Corbin knew he thought of him. And on the second anniversary of the attacks..Corbin was able to say all the things he never got to say to his dad before he died.

Corbin Mayo wanted to speak to his father again.

Two years ago, on Sept. 11, the boy began calling his father's cellphone. He called for days. Robert J. Mayo never picked up. Mr. Mayo, a contract fire safety director for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, had helped evacuate a building and stayed on duty despite his wife's pleas over the telephone to leave. He died in the south tower.

Yesterday, a slightly taller, tougher Corbin Mayo, now 13, strode across the stage at ground zero to read the names of some of the missing. His gray suit was a touch too big, as if waiting for the boy to grow into it. Then, before a sea of tear-streaked faces, he said: ''And my father, Robert Mayo. I love you.''

They were words his father needed to hear, he said earlier -- words that held a new and bittersweet meaning. It was through Mr. Mayo's death, and only after Corbin's anger began to thaw, that the son could touch the truth about his father: He was a brave man.

''I want to tell my dad that I care about him much more than I did before,'' said Corbin, an only child who lives with his mother, Meryl, in Marlboro, N.J. ''I care about him a gazillion times more.''

September 9th, 2002 Corbin was presented the Medal of Valor at the White House in honor of his dad. He spoke of how proud he was of him because of his bravery. I have little doubt that Robert Mayo is looking down on his son and wife and is equally as proud of them.

When you sign up to write these tributes it's difficult because you are truly writing about someone you never met..a total stranger. But once you research them, you feel as if you are somehow connected. And although I never got the chance to meet him, I am connected to his family now...after seeing the Early Show piece about my USO work his wife made a donation in my honor to the USO. It truly touched my heart to have someone who had lost so much be willing to honor me. I just hope this piece doesn't let her down.

Robert Mayo could have easily ran from the building and saved himself. Instead he chose to stay behind and help others get out. No one knows exactly how many lives he saved on that day. All I can say is he sacrificed his own so that others may live.

What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.