A tribute to…
Lukasz T. Milewski
His First Job in America
On July 11, Lukasz Milewski landed in the United States for the first time. His parents, who immigrated from Poland to New York City just a year ago (2000), had left him and his sister, Kamila Milewska, behind to finish college.
Mr. Milewski, 21, found a summer job serving food at the Cantor Fitzgerald canteen. “He was the only Polish guy, and soon everybody knew him,” said Ms. Milewska, who had come to the United States with her brother. “He was the best brother in the world. Last year, we only had each other. When I broke up with my boyfriend of six years, only he could find a way to help me. He told me that life was too short to worry.”
Proud to be working in the World Trade Center, Mr. Lukasz sent many photos of himself in front of the towers to his girlfriend in Poland. He told his sister that he would keep going to school and find a permanent job in the trade center.
The family is returning to Poland this month to plan for his funeral. “We will put in the coffin his favorite CDs and T-shirts, letters from me, his girlfriend and our parents, photos and teddy bears,” Ms. Milewska said. “In a way, I don’t want them to find his body. I want to remember him handsome and smiling. ~ Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on November 3, 2001.~
Lukasz perished in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, after a senseless, cruel act in which thousands lost their lives from coordinated acts of terrorism in New York, Washington, D. C. and in Pennsylvania.
His sister, Kamila, and family left this memorial to him at ground zero.
Tributes can be read here as well as his Legacy guestbook.
Kamila wrote these words on March 22nd of this year (2006).
“When I think about you
I think about how much I
Miss you when you’re not around
When I think about you
I think about how much I
Can’t wait to hear the sound
Of your laughter
Time and distance never matter
I know I will see you again…
I know you are SOMEWHERE…
I know you are watching over me…
I love you!!! I love you so much!!!
Always in my heart!”
The comments, tributes, Kamila’s words and her site dedicated to him have touched my heart. I did not know Mr. Milewski or his family members, but I am certain after reading these memorials that Lukasz was a vital, important part of their lives and they miss him and will always miss him.
I shed many tears just a short five years ago for the victims and their families. I shed tears today just reading about Lukasz. I’ve come to know him through researching his all too brief, but memorable life. Having brothers of my own, I understand Kamila’s love for him and I share her grief.
His memorial quilt block can be viewed on this page at the United in Memory site. Let us never forget all the victims of September 11, 2001, nor let us forget Lukasz T. Milewski.
2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.
We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.
