9/11: A Tribute to Wade Brian Green

As part of the 2996 Bloggers Tribute to the Victims of 9/11, I dedicate this post to the memory of Wade Brian Green, 42, of Westbury, NY.

Wade left behind his wife, Roxanne, and daughter, Danielle. His parents are Thomas & Wilhelmina Green, and brothers & sister are Anthony, Barry, and Alicia.

Wade was an employee of Thomson Financial Services. He didn't work in the World Trade Center. He was there that day setting up computers for a conference at Windows on the World.

Wade's nickname was the "Gentle Giant". In reading about him, one consistent thread running through the comments of those who knew him was his contagious smile and his kind spirit from the time he was a boy.

In a New York Times article, Wade's mother, Wilhelmina, said he "was a mischievous rascal until his sister, Alicia, was born. One night he stayed up with me when I was feeding the baby and he said, `Mommy, did you have to do that with me, too?"' She said, "When Wade realized how much care an infant required, he decided he would be my helper."

A kindness that he had all the days of his life.

He would always greet his neighbors when he was out tending to his yard. One winter, he shoveled snow from the driveway of a pregnant neighbor. Friends and classmates of the Oyster Bay High School Class of 1976 said he would do do anything for you. Some of the wonderful memories they have of Wade are his animals, particularly his ducks, farming, his dune buggy, riding his motorcycle around the neighborhood, his pool, shoveling snow, measuring his hair loss (funny!), playing baseball at the Allegretti's, playing tuba in the OBHS band, late nights and good old fashion fun.

But most of all his kindness, sense of humor, laughter, and smile.

He told his neighbor about how much he enjoyed reading bedtime stories to his Danielle, and that she was the biggest part of his life. Danielle, you can take great comfort in knowing how much your daddy loved you. He will always be with you in your heart. He would want you to grow in beauty not only physically, but intellectually and spiritually. That will be your greatest tribute. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, dear child.

I never met Wade Brian Green. Yet today, he is my hero.

God bless you.