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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - All give some - some give all. Truer words
cannot be said of those who choose a life of service to their fellow
countrymen, and the life of one such man touched U.S. Naval Station
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on the evening of Feb. 21, 2016. John Vigiano
a former Marine, National Guardsman and a retired New York City Fire
Department captain was honored at the “9/11 World Trade Center
Ceremony,” at the Joint Task force Guantanamo Troopers' Chapel.
Vigiano, like the rest of America, was struck deeply by the
events of 9/11, perhaps deeper than most, as that was the day he
lost his two sons: John T. Vigiano Jr., an FDNY firefighter, and
Joseph V. Vigiano, a New York Police Department detective. Vigiano
spoke to both of his sons before the attacks. Both calls ended with
“I love yous.” It was the last time he would speak to either of
them.
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Captain John T. Vigiano, Vice President, Fire Department New York
Marine Corps Association, delivers a speech during a Memorial
Monument Dedication Ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine
Corps, Triangle, Va., Oct. 5, 2014. The National Museum of the
Marine Corps dedicated a monument in honor of 17 New York City
firefighters, who died on Sept. 11, 2001 and were also Marines. A
total of 343 New York firefighters died that day. (U.S. Marine Corps
photo by Staff Sgt. Ezekiel R. Kitandwe)
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Nearly 15 years later, Vigiano visited GTMO in part to
view the ongoing military commission proceedings, to offer
his appreciation for the difficult and important duties
carried out here, and to speak to some of the troopers who
carry out those duties. Within the beige walls of the JTF
Troopers' Chapel, he expressed his thanks for the men and
women serving here and brought special gifts.
Vigiano
presented Marine Maj. Daniel J. Macsay, commander of the
MCSFCO, and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Commander Navy Rear
Adm. Peter J. Clarke with plaques that held pieces of steel
from the World Trade Center towers.
“This piece of
steel represents the tremendous strength of 343 firefighters
and 23 NYPD officers who died on 9/11 so that thousands of
others could live,” said Vigiano. “My wife and I lost our
two sons that day, John, a NYPD firefighter, and Joe, a New
York City police officer. Not a day goes by that we don't
think of them or miss them, they were among the first
casualties of this war on terror.”
Vigiano said he
did not intend for this gesture to the JTF and the MCSFCO to
turn into such a grand affair.
“When we talked about
this, it was just ‘can I send them a piece of steel,'” said
Vigiano. “Well, you guys got into it big time.”
The
service members, who packed the small building, met this
comment, among many others, with a thunderous standing
ovation.
“You are the guys that nobody hears about,”
said Vigiano. “You're the ones that are in the shadows. So I
admire you, I am here with my grandson; we are here, to
thank you.”
Macsay said the MCSFCO was honored by
Vigiano's gift and confirmed it would be displayed proudly
where Marines would see it daily.
“It's very
humbling,” said Macsay. “I'm really thankful to be a part of
it. There's not many people that can say they have had an
exchange like this, on a personal level, about an event
that's impacted so many people, especially in the military.”
Clarke also spoke gratefully of the plaque given to the
JTF, stating it was an honor to meet Vigiano and the other
victim families, who are at GTMO this week for the
commissions hearings. Clarke said it was important to meet
the survivors to honor the memories of the fallen.
“[Vigiano]
presented the Marine Corps Security Force Company and the
Joint Task Force with a memento, a piece of steel from World
Trade Center to honor us, but the honor truly is ours,” said
Clarke.
Vigiano's years of service and sacrifice, as
well as the brave actions of his sons, now have tangible
reminders at GTMO, a place already firmly tied to the events
of 9/11. Vigiano, as well as the other family members, are
also on the island to observe the commissions proceedings
for the “9/11 Five.”
Learn more about the
Office of Military Commissions
By U.S. Army Sgt. Ian Withrow
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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