Remembering the Dominican victims of 9/11
Dominica News Online - Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 at 9:39 AM
St. Rose (left), Francis
Today, 11 years ago on September 11, 2001, two airplanes struck the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York in what has been described as the worst terrorist attack on US soil.
The attack was part of a series of four suicide attacks that were coordinated to strike areas of New York City and Washington, D.C.
Two Dominicans lost their lives in the Twin Towers on that fateful day. They are Fitzroy St. Rose and Virgin Lucy Francis.
Forty-year old Fitzroy was a computer technician working for General Telecom on the 96th floor in One World Trade Center. He had a shy smile and an upbeat stride. He seemed to stand a bit taller, one close friend said, when he was doing things out of the goodness of his heart.
St. Rose’s mum stands next to his name at 9/11 Memorial
He made several calls to his mother after the plane crashed into the towers.
After the towers collapsed a frantic and intensive search in several hospitals across New York bore no fruit and the grim reality that he had actually died in the attacks soon became apparent.
St. Rose was born on April 19, 1961. He was from Canefield, attended the St. Mary’s Academy and worked as a firefighter before migrating to the Bronx in New York.
Virgin Lucy Francis was 62 years old when she met her tragic end on September 11. She was born on March 6, 1939 in Dominica but moved to Barbados and migrated to the US in 1986.
She worked at Windows on the World as a housekeeper on the 107th floor in the North Tower at the World Trade Centre.
Francis took immense pride in her work and on the morning of the attack was expected to begin her shift at 9 am but went early as she usually did. She took the A train from Fulton Street and arrived well before the first plane struck the buildings. Her family still cannot believe that she is gone.
The names of the two Dominicans were among 2,983 names of the men, women, and children killed on that day that were inscribed into bronze parapets surrounding the twin Memorial pools, located in the footprints of the Twin Towers.
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80 Comments
It is sad what happened but all the innocent people America has killed and continue to kill for unspecified reasons are not any better, even sacrificing there own soldiers?
But why allu answering Tiny?
everyone is entitled to their opinion. everyone responding to Tiny in that manner ,,,,,,takes 2 to tango, go Tiny Go.
Its time to move on people!!
Lest we forget. How can anyone who was of age, especially adults forget what occurred on that day and as we re-live what we saw. It is too much for words.
At this time we also remember their families who continue to grieve their loss. It is no easy time for you especially when this Memorial Day comes around. Our hearts ache for you as we also visualize how your loved ones suffered then. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your loved ones, Lucy and Fitzroy will always be remembered.
May their souls rest in God’s love, glory and peace. Amen!
I for one do not blame “TINY” I blame those persons who respond to tiny`s A???ness the man is a loner and seek to empower him self by appearing heartless. But some of us makes him feel on top of the World. Sadly it takes all sorts to make the World we live in, including “TINY” Tiny, I take the train to work in Manhattan where can we meet tell me brother? you will get all the love you seems to seek at D.N.O expense.
R.I.P to the 2,976 American people that lost their lives on 9/11 and R.I.P to the 48,644 Afghan and 1,690,903 Iraqi people that paid the ultimate price for a crime they did not commit and the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who experience this everyday. Your 9/11 is their 24/7.
Whose side are you on anyway? You cannot be either here and there. There is a time and place for everything. Do not mix separate matters which have no bearing of the sad occurrence on 9/11. You chose a wrong occasion to make such a statement which is foolish and futile. These do not belong among those who were minding their business and who innocently lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Furthermore, we do not rob shoulders with our enemies and the enemies of democracy/freedom and identify them with those who died on that day.
Today, we in the democratic world are lovingly observing and remembering those who died at the World Trade Center on that fateful day.
The U.S. soldiers and others who died elsewhere, fighting for freedom, will also be lovingly remembered, as usual, on November 11th, Remembrance Day and on Armistice and Veteran’s Day.
There will be another time, whoever so wishes, to recognize the others you mentioned. The Afghans, Iraqi’s and Palestines can remember their own in their own way.
Your statements reflect nothing but bigotry. The Afghans, Iraqis and Palestinians cannot remember their own right now because the west is still at war with them. Are you so brain dead that you are unable to see what’s going on in the world? Their lands are still occupied, they are not free!
9/11 is insignificant in comparison to millions who are killed at the hands of the west on a daily basis. Talk about the unmanned drones that bomb rural villages and kill thousands of innocent civilians. Man you don’t understand why Muslims are so angry at white supremacy and western imperialism!
This was a very sad day as i saw the planes inflight towards the towers as Dominicans we cannot forget it but we must move on or we will get stuck in the past.R.I.P Fitzroy
@ Remember
If you genuinely remembered, you would not expect us to forget or want us to ever forget. We are always moving on. Life is never at a standstill for life has to go on and will always go on. Is it not often the case that if it affected you and others who think and state likewise, you would be singing another tune.
What transpired on Sep. 9/01 will always be remembered. Almost 4,000 people lost their lives. Consider the anguish, pain and sorrow of all concerned. It affected a whole nation including Canada, Dominica and other countries. How could the U.S. forget that fateful day on the anniversary?
Furthermore, we owe it to the victims and their living relatives, the latter wherever they may reside to commemorate them. It is also history which will never be forgotten.
wow, and all this time I never knew…we were classmates, and later we were firemen…we both left, I to Canada and he to the States so its sad. Rest in peace Fireman St Rose, Sir.
Tiny what you fail to realize is that everything change that day for the entire world. Nothing is the same anymore. we in the Caribbean are more complacent but if you lived abroad you’d respect the date and not complain about persons celebrating the memorial of all those lives lost in that day.
@ Anonymous
The world is indeed not the same since 9/11. We will never return to normal. It has cost the government and airlines an exorbitant sum of money for security. Passengers are bearing the cost and inconvenience. It is no longer fun to fly what with all these part-downs, etc. It is enough to get angry with those fools (that they were) who are no more and dangerous people who flew the planes in the WTC and in the Pentagon. Know that there are accomplices and supporters who are still alive elsewhere in the world. They have been indoctrinated that there are virgins waiting for them in Heaven. Oh my! What false teachings!
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “In Heaven they neither marry nor are handed in marriage.”
Little did they know that no murderers will ever enter the Kingdom of Heaven, God’s holy and pure Throne of celebration, praising, love, joy, peace, tranquility and unity. Our fair and impartial God has ordained that if we cannot live accordingly on earth, we will be prohibited from this Everlasting Life.
DBS carried something this morning on it and Billy doctrove spoke about him .. so don’t be too quick to jump teacher..
Thanks. I stand corrected.
All this for what…..in the name of religion. I reckon that the world would be a better place if there were no religion.
@ Humanist
The world would be a better place without people as you who are not God-loving. Cease criticizing our beliefs and conform yourself to the Holy Will of God.
Religion is not our belief .. Religion can be anything from Muslim to Rastafarism ….Jesus is the answer!!!!!!
You see this is the problem. You do not know me, yet still you’re accusing me not being God-loving. Belief/love of God and non-religious affiliation are not mutually exclusive which most people seem to think.
No Religion just JESUS!!!!!
All “EXODUS” fans miss u Fitzroy. R.I.P.
All our love and regards, May God Bless you both and May He bring comfort to your family and friends. Rest in Peace Domnicien.
All this in the name of religion. Religion has done some good, but it has given people the courage to do so mnay bad things…..sometimes I think the world would be better with no religion at all.
@ Humanist
What about you? Speak for yourself. Your words depict that you are not doing any good whatsoever.
Just as there is counterfeit money and genuine, there is false religion and true religion.
True religion adheres to the Bible and is ‘no part of the world’ as Jesus said, including the world’s politics and conflicts. – John 17:16.
Hence the problem really is with counterfeit religion that falsely claim to represent God and His Word the Bible.
So true!!!
Nonsensical Jehovah Witness gibberish! I can smell you guys from a mile.
You Jehovah Witnesses are more in the world than anybody else. Your women wear the wigs, make-up, tight fitted clothing. You guys eat swine, consume alcohol and do all the things that make you all part of the world. Stop with the slogans and be real!
@ Humanist
There are radical people in that so-called religion who are out to dominate and destroy lives and the world. They are assuming that their so-called religion is superior to that of others. They are highly mistaken. Types like them will give the genuine religion a bad name. The only one “Superior Religion, the First and Foremost” in the world is Christianity. On that inevitable day they will find out and will be shocked that what they were led to believe which caused them to create lack of peace in the world was a farce. Those who predeceased us already know it. I wonder where their souls are, as their leader, in eternity.
Our Lord Jesus Christ established Christianity. He did not establish that religion. Their leader was a Catholic who renounced this belief and formed his own. Do not make the mistake of identifying it and comparing it to specifically the Christian religion.
I never called it a religion because it is not Christianity and is not Christian-like.
Since I migrated to Canada and since many of them migrated here, I heard their beliefs referred to as a religion. It is not recognized as a religion. Those who lack godly enlightenment and there are many of them, do not know that as they give credence to them.
It was indeed a pleasure meeting Fitzroy for the first time in a labor day weekend party in Brooklyn, N.Y with his good friend ‘Joe P’, never knowing what stood ahead just 10 days after. RIP
dominicans ALWAYS FIGHTING!! stupesssssssssssssssss!!!
Stuuuupes! Why you so margee?
I’m a Dominican living in NY City. While watching the first tower on fire, I saw in person when the second aircraft struck. I read news on DNO daily, and I also listen to DBS Radio every chance I get.
I was just listening to the 13:15 total news a few minutes ago, and my heart was extremely hurt when Alvin Knight mentioned President Barak Obama, and the other events going on today to remember that sad day, but he failed to mention my friend, fellow Dominican, and former SMA classmate Fitzroy St. Rose, and the other Dominican, Virgin Lucy Francis, who both perished in the WTC attack.
Thank you, DNO for the story!
SHAME ON DBS RADIO for ignoring our brother and sister!!!!
DBS did mention Fitzroy St. Rose in the morning edition of their news. They also had Billy Doctrove interviewed on Fitzroy St. Rose.
Lucy and Fitz, you will surely be missed. I just came back from NYC and went to visit the memorial. AS soon as I got there, the tears started flowing. You see, Fitz was a personal friend of the family and that year we were also in NY partying with him Labor Day weekend. I have the same pic as him mom (standing besides his name).We can never forget. Ashia did a good tribute to him at the Kings of Kings.
i really think its time to move pass that .the terrorist already had our attention and that what we continue to give them .they know at this time of year we go back to that dreadfull day and they sit,relax and enjoy the laugh.11 years has past and i think its about time to let go .r.i.p.to all those who lost their lives on that day
@ tie toe
As long as we live we will never forget that dreadful day and will always remember the victims especially fellow Dominicans who perished in that inferno. Therefore get accustomed to it and join in with those who remember them.
I was getting ready to go out when this terrible sight unfolded on TV. Canada Am program was on and as I was getting ready, I listened to the News then this sad situation unfolded on TV, as it was occurring. I stayed indoors for most of the day, glued to the TV in shock. As everyone else it appeared to me to be a nightmare. We could not believe what we saw then. Worst yet hearing of the many people who died. For a whole week and more I was not myself. I was so saddened.
We are within our rights, whether we knew the victims or not to remember them. What affects specifically the democratic world, wherever in the world it occurred affects us. Consider how many lives were lost.
Those who have one bit of compassion in them will always remember and not prohibit others from remembering and commemorating that occasion. How could we forget? Never, for as long as we live!
i live in ny .and that didnt make it stronger ,it make us weaker.we should be doing things to prevent a repeat of that ,not things to remind us .we shouldnt forget but we should move on.
my opinion .part of the constitution .FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Fitzroy was my classmate at the St. Mary’s Academy. Although not a personal friend per say (I form the country and he form Roseau), I considered him to be a good person. We met several times during his visits here and if my memory serves me right I might have ran into him somewhere in New York at soem Dominican function earlier on. RIP my compatriot.
less we forget the pain and suffering that came cross that day god is in control may their soul rest in peace
So wrong, which god inflects pain, not the GOD I know. Sorry GOD is not in control, life is about free will, he gave us good and bad and everything we need to live decent lives and we sometimes make the wrong decisions and inflect pain on others. He does nothing, he does not get involve, he just watches us destroy ourselves and then we blame it on him. Could not understand the GOD we call loving, forgiving and loves all his children etc would do such things
will never forget dreadfull day,am proud to have been deployed to afghanistan right after the tragedy.you will be remembered my brother and sister.
Fitzroy was just so sweet. I really liked him. Still can’t believe that we had Dominicans that perished in that awful attack. God bless them.
Gone but no Forgotten. Fitzroy has left a legacy due to the welcoming impact he had on all Dominicans whether home or abroad.
My mother was telling my sister and I that the day before the attacks she met and had a good long conversation with the guy after not seeing each other for YEARS. then the next day, just like that… gone. we will never forget 9/11
Will never forget you Fitzy and all the fun times we had! Continue to rest in peace.
We should all just ignore that person don’t let them take over the blog that is what they want. Just ignore him /her.
wow, did not even know there were Dominicans who died in that! wow!
@ wow
Where were you? Too young to know then, was a baby or were not yet born?
May their sweet souls continue to rest in peace. So so sad!
I REMEMBER HANGING OUT WITH HIM WITH MY COUSINS FOR LABOR DAY, FITZ WAS A VERY LOVING FUN PERSON ALWAYS SMILING, SURELY ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS…
RIP my fellow dominicans. You guys will never be forgotten. I am a proud dominican representing you all in the US Army on the war on terror in Afghanistan as we speak. Rough day here in Afghanistan today but we wont be broken.
As an Dominican American and parent of a US Marine, I want to thank you for your services and sacrifices. May you be blessed and make it home safely to your loved ones.
Yes I want to add mine! Thank you for your service! Freedom is not free at all! It’s because of people like you that all here enjoy the freedoms. Keep your head down and be alert!
stay safe soldier
AMEN TO THAT
Thanks for fighting the good fight we look forward to your safe return
I am very proud of you. I will keep you in my prayers. Stay safe. I sympatise with the famillies of both victims.
STAY SAFE AND GOD BLESS !!!
may their souls rest in peace
RIP my fellow dominicans. You guys will never be forgotten. Proud Dominican fighting and representing you all in the the US Army in Afghanistan as we speak.
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WHAT I CANT BELIEVE SOMEONE HAD TO RESPOND TO SUCH A HARSHFULL COMMENTS TOWARDS INNOCENT VICTIMS WHO PASS AWAY IN THIS TRAGIC TIME,I AM SORRY BUT IF U HAVE NOTHING POSITIVE TO SAY DON’T SAY IT. IT COULD HAVE HAPPEN TO ANYONE…. WOOW U DONT HAVE A HUMAN HEART ……
Your comment really does not deserve an answer…………..the fact that you can look at the deaths of more than 3,000 people all at once as a result of one single event and not understand why they are remembered every year is amazing to me. Wow!
3000 at once?…. hundred of thousands of people die horrible deaths in wars,,,,,,,, wmmen are and children are raped as a reslult of waars….again stop it
and how many have died violently scince..so it should only be rememberd when it was orchistrated by …………..?yet to be determined….
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So many times I take time to make meaningful contributions to your news item and you would not put it out for the public to read. I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE AT A TIME WHEN MANY OF US ARE STILL MOURNING THE DEATHS OF OVER 3,000 WHO WERE KILLED ON THE JOB, YOU HAVE THE GUTTS TO POST THE GABAGE A HEARTLESS TINY IS POSTING! Shame, Shame, Shame ON YOU TINY!
If you are a muslim, you need to know that muslems were killed as well on this date.
I feel the US authorities should track you down from where you are, and put you in a cave so that you don’t hurt our proud reputation as Dominicans.
Meseh Tiny, reading all the foolishness you like to post up here, all this time I bought it was the size of your brain that you name for, but seeing the depth of your bitterness, muss be something else about your person that is so ‘Tiny’… Humans lost their lives, thousands more maimed and emotionally scarred and you want to score points? WE ARE DOMINICA. WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT!!!!!!!
I think if “hundred of thousands of people die horrible deaths in wars….as you put it, if all those people were to die in one instance or from one act” you would be remembering them as well every year.
Greetings Tiny,
I sincerely hope that your name does not refer to the size of your brain, because your words seem to indicate such.
If ONE human dies, it’s a tragic and sad event. If hundreds of thousdands die, it’s obviously a more tragic event. No one here has said otherwise.
We Dominicans are paying homage to two of our fellow Dominicans who perished in an event that affected the ENTIRE WORLD. We are not saying that the other hundreds of thousands of deaths that are occuring in Syria, Africa, etc., are not also tragic.
If we receive news that ONE SINGLE Dominican died in ANY conflict anywhere in the world, it will be a sad, tragic event for us all.
The annual memorial event in NY City every Sept. 11th, is an opportunity for every Nation who has lost a native son or daughter to mourn and remember them collectively.
If you don’t understand that, then you are a lost cause!
God Bless!
Are you are person with no heart or a person who is just stupid.
We loss love ones every day and that do not mean because they are not in our daily sight that they are forgotten.
Our hearts bleeds dayly for our love ones who has lost their lives and are not here with us.
I cannot believe a human being is so heartless.
These persons who lost their lives when these murderers took it, their families never got their bodies to keep a proper funeral. What is wrong with some of us with our thinking and our HARD hearts?
May our heavenly father continue to watch over us.
God Bless us all.
you too ignorant HEARTLESS…
Why don’t people like you stay under a rock if you don’t want to be bothered by events! It’s people like you who will say let’s forget our forefathers and ancestors who were murdered in the transatlantic slave trade!
We have to remember and keep their legacy alive! NEVER FORGET!
Tiny if it’s attention you are seeking then I recommend you try sky diving without a parachute!
You are a fool!!!
Pea brain idiot.
You damn donkey, you should have been in my place seeing and hearing all the havoc that day like I did. We had offices at 4 WTC. Imagine having nightmares for a long time after.
@ Anonymous
Save your time. You cannot stop a thing; no one can. What is done is done and cannot be undone. It is history, recorded in the history books. Where is your heart? Have sympathy. They will always be remembered until the end of time. What happened to them is recorded in the Book. God and their souls know where they are.
Those who committed these atrocities and their accomplices, it is written in the Book of Damnation.
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