After some months of light duty at Ladder 103 in Brooklyn, "he felt it was a tremendous victory when he came back to the firehouse to full duty a few months ago," said the Rev. Jim Cunningham, the Stackpoles' parish priest in Marine Park, Brooklyn. The Thursday before the terrorist attack, Lieutenant Stackpole was promoted to captain. And on the Saturday before the disaster, Captain Stackpole was named Irishman of the Year at the Great Irish Fair in Brooklyn, Father Cunningham said.

On September 11, 2001 Captain Stackpole had just finished his shift when he heard of the news. It is said he went straight to World Trade Center 2, where he perished.

Rudi Giuliani said this about him:

"I met Captain Timothy Stackpole at the Burn Unit, Cornell Medical Center, in 1998. And I remember him saying, 'My mother always warned me I should put on clean underwear, but I forgot to put them on today.' On September 11, Captain Timothy Stackpole formed a company of firefighters, and together, they raced up into the inferno that was Number 2 World Trade Center. Not one of these extraordinary men ever questioned his duty, nor did he ever question whether he might return to the embrace of those he loved and those who loved him. Nobody can take your father away from you. He is part of you. The tears will make you stronger... we have to cry, and we have to mourn."

To all the family and friends of Captain Stackpole I send my prayers. He will not be forgotten.

We will never forget.

In following my tribute last year for the 2996 project, I have chosen to honor Commander Dan F. Shanower this year.
I chose Mr. Shanower because he was from Naperville, IL which is near where I grew up.

Mr. Shanower worked at the Pentagon in the Office of Navy Intelligence. He was the second victim identified from the Pentagon. His Navy career has taken him around the world. His first 10 years in the Navy was spent abroad. He eventually made his way to the Pentagon.

A young man, at the age of 40, left behind a loving family. He has 4 other siblings. According to his family and friends, Mr. Shanower was a very free spirited, funny and even alittle bit mischievous as a kid. In family pictures he was the one making the goofy faces. In high school, he buried an unwanted car engine in his parents yard. In college he found out his taste for foreign affairs. He eventually signed up for a class that included a trip to the Soviet Union. One winter he got lost in Moscow. He had many adventures throughout his short life. He was planning on retiring soon from the Navy and then plan on starting a family.

One of the many young people who lost their lives that day. My prayers and thoughts to his friends and family today.

Once again, after researching about him, I have found that I would have loved to have met Mr. Shanower. The stories that he may have been able to share, are now priceless to those who he shared them with.

There is more reading about Commander Dan Shanower here if anyone would like to know more about this awesome man.