9/11/01 - A tribute to Michael Francis Lynch

OK so I tried to join up for the 2996 too late. All of the victims were assigned. (TG)

So I am making my own tribute to

Firefighter Michael Francis Lynch

source Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation

I have chosen Michael, not because he deserves to be remembered more than anyone else. I have chosen him only because he is related to a close family member. Even though I didn't know him, my mother knew his brother, another Fred Lynch, and family and his parents. We waited prayed and anxiously awaited for news of him those days and weeks, and prayed even when hope was gone, for his family and all the victims of 9/11.

source Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation

He was the nephew of my Uncle Fred, in Tralee Co. Kerry Ireland, with whom I am very close. Uncle Fred is my mother's sister's husband (my aunt's husband). I've shown him in pictures before. He is such a wonderful man, and knowing him and from what I have heard about his brother Jack, and his large family based in New York, Michael must have been the same. "Cut from the same cloth" as we say.

Michael Lynch, died along with 342 other firefighters at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He loved his work and was permanently assigned to Ladder 32, Engine 62, also known as the "Gun Hill Gang" in The Bronx, New York, however for a few months before 9/11 he was temporarily assigned to Engine 40, Ladder 35 on the Upper Westside of Manhattan.

Michael was last seen entering WTC Building 4 at the corner of Church and Liberty Streets with other firefighters from Engine 40. This event was captured by a news cameraman which helped in identifying where and what happened to the twelve out of thirteen firefighters from E40/L35 that perished. They were headed to the lobby of Tower 2 and were in the South Tower when it fell.

When Michael's body was finally recovered on March 21, 2002, the Medical Examiner determined he was either carrying a woman or shielding her with his coat. Their remains were mingled. The family hopes that someday they will learn her identity.

The family has set up The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation - a scholarship program which provides grants to enable children of firefighters and other victims of the September 11 attacks and other fires and disasters to afford higher education.

Further information, pictures and a Guestbook can be found at the link above.

Contained herein is a quote from Jack Lynch, Michael's father about the Ground Zero memorial

Take Back the Memorial - First Responders say no to Underground Memorial

Firefighter, Fisherman and Family Peachmaker - no wonder his middle initial was "F"
from FallenBrothers.com

Before I go close this tribute, I would like to share with you a poem and some pictures.

This wonderful poem was written by Michael's nephew, son of sister Maureen Lynch Baker.

YOU ARE MY UNCLE
A Poem, By Ryan Baker, Age 10

January, 22, 2003

You are my uncle

Bright, brave, and strong

You are my uncle

Always there when something's wrong

You were a fireman

Helping out wherever you went,

You didn't need superpowers,

Like superman a.k.a. Clark Kent

You were a great fisherman.

You helped me catch a 15-pounder

And it made us all laugh

When Grandpa Jack only caught a bass

But when some towers collapsed

You had to put your gear onThis time,

unfortunately, the last.

You have died with honor

Never to walk again

You were my uncle

Now dead and gone

But in my heart,

I know you will live on.

And a great picture of Michael as a boy which I find so cute and cool.

Michael's Uncle Fred, Auntie Annette and my Mother, Margaret

at Wine Strand, Co. Kerry, July 2004

My mother passed on June 2005.

I like to think she is with Michael now.

Did you know that there were 3 Michael Lynch's killed that day?

Another firefighter, Michael F. Lynch, WTC, Firefighter, Ladder 4, New Hyde Park

and

Michael Lynch, WTC, Broker, Cantor Fitzgerald, New York, NY

Click on these links to see list of September 11 victims and more on 2996

Category: memories