In memory of Edwin J. Zambrana Jr.

On September 11, 2001, almost 3000 innocent people lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in a field near Shanksville, PA. We all saw pictures of the missing on TV and saw the list of the dead. But who were those people? What were their lives like? I'm going to tell you a little about one of the names on the list: Edwin J. Zambrana Jr.

Edwin, or Eddie as he was called, was a 24 year old living in Graniteville on Staten Island. He loved playing basketball and Michael Jordan. He helped take care of his mother who suffers from lupus.

Eddie had started working at the WTC only a few months before September 11th. He was a memeber of Project Renewal, a contrator that handled the cleaning and recycling at the WTC. His father, Edwin Sr., who also worked at the WTC helped his get the job. His father was able to make it out of the towers that day. Eddie did not.

Edwin J. Zambrana Jr is survived by his father, Edwin Sr., his mother, Lillian, a sister Desiree and her children.

I am proud to have been given the opportunity to learn more about Eddie's life. Today, and on every September 11th in the future, I will send out extra thoughts for Eddie and his family.

I'd like to end this tribute with a letter to Eddie from his mother, published in the Staten Island Advance:

It's your first anniversary in heaven, but it feels like it was just yesterday. Everyone said it gets easier, you cry less and less and pain gets more bearable. It has been the complete opposite of all that. We miss you and love you so much. We speak to you every day and hope that you hear the pain and suffering that is going on in this family.

Your sister and the kids will never ever forget you, their favorite uncle.

No matter where you go you will have our blessing, our prayers and our love.

Please watch over us with your guiding light.

With all our love, Mom, Dad Desiree and Family, Roc and Nena

P.S. Eddie was like a big brother to all the children. He loved to play basketball and teach it. He had the greatest parents in the world. Now he is in a better place. He is with God and the angels. Now it is time for him to be an angel too. Eddie was an angel everywhere he went and now he's in heaven.

I pray every night that there is a second life with no bad people, only good people.

Love You and Miss you

Tatiana, Kyle, Devin Eddie, Sheiliz, Emilio and Gabriel

Editor's Note: Edwin Zambrana, 24, of Graniteville, was an employee of Project Renewal, the contractor handling cleaning and recycling at the World Trade Center. He is remembered in this letter written by his mother, Lillian, on behalf of his family, with help from his cousin, Tatiana Velez, who added the postscript.

This entry is part of the 2,996 project. If you knew Eddie and feel I have omitted any information or have incorrect information, please let me know and I will correct it.