Saint of the burning towers - Friends to the end - the story of another American Hero at WTC

NY Post ^ | 9/17/01 | KATE SHEEHY and DAN KADISON

[surfer]

Quadriplegic Ed Beyea was struggling to breathe on the smoke-filled 27th floor of the north tower, and his best friend, Abe Zelmanowitz, refused to abandon him. Both died.

September 17, 2001 -- Abe Zelmanowitz and Ed Beyea overcame the odds to become best friends in life - they weren't about to be separated by cowards in death. Abe, an Orthodox Jew, refused to leave the side of Ed, a Christian and a quadriplegic, when their office on the 27th floor of 1 WTC came under terrorist siege Tuesday.

[surfer]

As our hopes diminishes like a dying flame, some of news is starting to really hitting home. The following link is to a story of two very brave men who lost their lives in the WTC bombing. Ed Beyea was a friend and we were very worried about him because of his physical condition and the reports of wheel bound employees were stuck at the elevators.

As for Abe - another American Hero - he stayed with Ed to the end and he gave his life to save the nurse, they were best friends and Abe was not going to let his friend down regardless of personal cost. Isn't that what friendship is really about - being there when your friend really needs you.

Could someone please post Ed's picture here...It is in the news article. I don't know how to do it! Thanks.

Eagles Up! Terrorism has to be stopped!

[Giddyupgo]

<IMG SRC="http://www.nypost.com/photos/web09170117.jpg"

[Peach]

A bump for heros. Let's roll.

[laconic]

Loyalty, friendship, self-sacrifice, suffering - the friends and the firemen were marvelous people. Compare it to the thieves in the night who pulled off this treacherous mass murder: all they did on this earth was bad: stealth, hate, murder, treachery and hypocrisy. I suspect the image of the Devil on the World Trade Center meant he was welcoming home the hijackers, his servants, who were neither religious nor decent. They'll fit in well down there.

[surfer]

Thanks!

[OnAMission]

Well it’s one two three

We know what we are fighting for

You can ask me, I do give a damn

Next stop is Afghanistan

Well it’s five six seven

We are the United States

Well, there won’t be time for them to wonder why

Whoopee! There all gonna die!

[PresbyRev]

bump

[FreeReign]

My brother cried when he read this today in the Post. He worked with Ed and Abe -- and he made it out.

[surfer]

We agree on one thing - Terrorism needs to be stopped - I guess we need to agree on what terrorism is. I guess I could understand how one might construe the US intervening in a conflict (which has been going on for 1000 years and was the starting point of the last two world wars) as some form of terrorism.

We weren't faceless cowards who took advantage of freedoms in a country and killed over 5,000 innocent people and then hid and denied it.

Of course I am not over in Serbia and cannot even imagine the anguish, anger and frustation you must feel so for that I am sorry to see what has happened in Serbia - I think there are lessons to be learned by all of us.

Unfortunately being the most powerful force on the planet we have had to do some policing - believe me I am not a big fan of it especially we never get paid to do it and I am not a huge fan of the U.N. even though I was heavily involved with Rotary International (which was a major force in creating the U.N. and is the only non-country that has a seat on it), in any event, one fact still exists:

We are all threatened by terrorism and it needs to be stopped and Bin Laden is our first contestant on our new reality show - The Weakest Terrorist - you are the weakest terrorist Good bye...

Serbia is in my prayers and I hope someday we can all enjoy a peaceful planet because let me tell you having the peace and freedoms we have in USA is an amazing experience and the rest of the world should have a chance to try it too!

[surfer]

Glad to hear about your brother! I was at the WTC many times as I did a fair amount of work there. I have a lot friends there and I was very glad to hear that most BCBS made it out!

[Tunehead54]

Dear Surfer,

So sorry for your loss.

Wish Abe had told Ed "This is gonna hurt!" and dragged him down the stairs.

I'm afraid we're all due for some strong medicine. Grin, swallow and remember.

We will never forget.

G-d be with you Abe and Ed.

[surfer]

Thanks!

[FreeReign]

Glad to hear about your brother! I was at the WTC many times as I did a fair amount of work there. I have a lot friends there and I was very glad to hear that most BCBS made it out!

BCBS worked on the lower floors in the tower that was last to collapse. The last my brother heard, all but 9 out of 1900 BCBS employees made it out alive -- two of the nine being Ed and Abe.

[surfer]

Thanks for letting me know...last number I had heard was 16...9 sounds better!

If I remember they went to floor 30 or 31. We used conference rooms on upper floors frequently though.

[Ron C.]

You are correct, in my view, that what was done in Serbia was in effect 'terrorism.' That act, in and of itself changed how many Americans view their government and its leaders. But there are major differences between what happened in Serbia/Kosovo and what happened in NY. If you can not see those differences, you need to look closer.

The continued presence of US/NATO forces in the Balkans is, in my view, inexcusable - tantamount to global tyranny. Not all Americans support that presence, and a majority want to see an end to it. Whether ‘justice' will ever be accomplished in what happened in Serbia/Kosovo, remains to be seen, but certainly what happened in NY does not represent justice with respect to Serbia/Kosovo.

[surfer]

Thanks for the additional thoughts - right on!

[ProEtContra]

I respect your answer...But I can`t feel the freedom you mentioned in the moment when you deleted my post only cause it contains something what you don`t want to hear (or to read...) now. However...We agree that terrorism should be stopped...But do not produce it, do not support terrorists with weapons... We survived your bombs and we share your pain as much as you were sharing our. Good luck. You will need it. Sincerely

[surfer]

I don't know about any post that was deleted. Your response is still here in this thread...so I can't really comment on the post that you are referring.

I too had a post removed yesterday - someone had made a mistake - some people were over-reacting to some information yesterday I think that has calmed down now.

Thanks for the well wishes - yes we do need them - I truly hope that Serbia returns to peace soon and the healing begins there!

[ProEtContra]

We know here that what happened in NY is not justice for Serbia. This is not justice for no one. This is a crime. We know exactly how the people feel there and we understand..Unfortunately. But, if it is true that most of Americans disagree with USA politic of domination and violation on other nations, how it happened that your nation voted Klinton twice!!! He wasn`t a sample of peaceful politic. I could say...You like on some way this feeling of power...But, like everything, it has its price. And it is pretty expensive.