Eric L Bennett
2996 is a project organized by DC Roe in which bloggers come together, each honoring an individual victim of the 9/11 attacks.The following is a tribute to 9/11 victim Eric L. Bennett; just one of the thousands of innocent civilians brutally murdered at the World Trade Center in 2001.
In the six years since he had left Michigan for New York, Eric Bennett enjoyed nothing more than giving Midwestern visitors a tour of his adopted city.
"He loved New York and had learned his way around the city very fast," said his mother, Elizabeth Bennett of Flint, Mich. They were better than any tour you could buy, she said, and she had taken a few.
One factor was the charm of the unofficial guide, who lived in Brooklyn. "People said that when Eric walked into a room, he lit it up with his smile," his mother said. "Everybody liked him, he was so friendly and outgoing. He worked hard and played hard. He enjoyed life and lived it to its fullest."
Before coming to New York, Bennett, 29, played hardest at football. The genial 6-footer played center on a championship team at Kearsley High School in Flint and at Michigan's Ferris State University. He proudly wore on his right shoulder the tattoo of a bulldog, his college's mascot.
Next to football, computers were his favorite occupation since junior high school, his mother said. He studied computer science at college and brought his skills to the Alliance Consulting Group at One World Trade Center, where he quickly rose to vice president. He was conducting a staff meeting on the 102nd floor of the north tower on the morning of Sept. 11, when the hijacked jet struck. Calm in a crisis, Bennett phoned the company's main office to tell officials what was happening. It was the last anyone heard from him.
Back in Flint, after hope was lost, his parents, Terry and Elizabeth, and sister, Kimberly Konesny, prepared a video of his life to be shown at celebrations of his life. More than 400, including former coaches and teammates, turned out for one in Michigan Oct. 14. New York friends and Brooklyn neighbors crowded another memorial in Manhattan's Paramount Hotel Oct.26.
-- Rhoda Amon (Newsday)
Note: I've tried unsuccessfully to contact family members to ask if they might want to post the video of Eric's life that they prepared. If any family members should read this and want to add anything not already included, please contact me. I would be happy to add additional material.
Quilt made especially for Eric by Kim Monins (Jersey, United Kingdom)
Via Legacy.com:
When Eric Bennett disappeared, his missing poster offered two distinguishing traits ‹ a tattoo of a bulldog head on his right shoulder and deep stretch marks under his arms. Both pieces of information attested to Mr. Bennett's love of football, which he played with a championship team at Kearsley High School in Flint, Mich., and also at Michigan's Ferris State University.
The bulldog was the mascot at Ferris State; on Mr. Bennett's tattoo, the dog tag read "58," his number. The stretch marks appeared when he lost his football bulk and trimmed down to 180 pounds from 255.
"Eric was always very determined, very motivated," said his mother, Betty Bennett, who lives in Flint with her husband, Terry. "He was small for a center, and he had to prove himself."
Mr. Bennett worked as a vice president at Alliance Consulting Group on the 102nd floor of the north tower. He made many new friends in New York, even while staying in touch with high school friends and teammates. At his memorial in Michigan, a couple of them also sported bulldog tattoos.
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on November 19, 2001.
Notice of the incident on Ferris State University online:
Via ABC12.com:
Mother finds way to remember son lost in 9/11
Life gem provides lasting way to honor loved ones
By Taryn Asher
Mid Michigan - (02/17/06)--A Flint mother lost her son on Sept. 11, 2001, when a hijacked plane flew into the World Trade Center where Eric Bennett worked.
Bennett's soul left this Earth more than five years ago. But his family has found a way to turn him into a sign of strength beauty and eternity.
Images of 9/11 still burn in the mind of Betty Bennett. She lost her 29-year-old son in the terrorist attacks. For months, Bennett was presumed dead, but just like thousands of other victims, his body had not been found.
"They didn't find any part of Eric for five months," Betty Bennett said. "I feel fortunate they did find some, so there is closure because there's some who didn't find any remains."
Then, months later, Bennett learned about Life Gem -- a way to capture Bennett's essence and transform it into a flawless diamond.
"I really wanted to do it," she said.
A friend told her about it. The founder of Life Gem, who lives in suburban Chicago, came up with a way to transform cremains into a brilliant diamond.
Here's how it works: A crematorium collects the body's carbon. Once heated into graphite, a lab simulates the intense heat and pressure needed to create the stone.
"It's got a lot of sparkle to it, a lot of fire to it," Betty Bennett said. "Eric was very sparkly and very fiery. I think the color and everything fits Eric's personality."
Skeptics may find the idea of wearing loved ones as jewelry strange. But those who do this hope a simple glance will help them through the hard times.
A Life Gem isn't the only way Betty is honoring her son. Last year, the Bennetts used the money they received from the government to open a restaurant: the Mongolian Barbeque in Flint.
They also created a memorial scholarship in Eric's name. But now the Bennetts have a personal way for Eric's memory to live on because a diamond is forever.
According to Life Gem, the process costs anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000.
Click here to read the New York post's article on this same story.
Posted by Tonya at september11victims.com: I do not think I will ever forget the day my little boy came running into the kitchen yelling about a plane crashing into a building. As I watched in horror, I did not know then that someone I once knew was in that building.
I met Eric when I transfered from another school the middle of my freshman year of high school into one of his classes. Our seats were next to each other. Many times during that class, we had opportunity to talk. He was energetic and excited about his future, football and friends. Our friendship never went beyond that class. As we went through school, his popularity and friends grew, but I had a hard time fitting in anywhere. Eric always had time for a "Hello" or "Hope your day is great." and I felt he ment every word. This may seem like a small jesture, but I struggled in high school.
I had always hoped that our paths would cross again after high school. I wanted to thank him. He never knew how much I needed that encouragement.
I just want to thank the Bennetts for this opportunity. He touched my life so many years ago and I have never forgotten his kindness. I certainly hope that one day, I can repay the someone that same kindess.
The Bennetts will always remain in my prayers.
Posted by Lillya at Legacy.com:
Eric,
I miss you more than words can say. A lot has changed this year. But you know that. For a long time I thought about that day. I know you took charge and stayed strong and helped our friends. I hope you are all together now.
You were one of the best people to come into my life. I still often look to you for guidance. You will always remain in my heart.I am staying close to Tyrone and Rodrigo.
I love you
Until we meet again...
Lillya
Lillya Nashanchik (New York, NY)
God bless Eric Bennett, God bless Eric's family and friends, and God help all of mankind in defeating terrorism and evil throughout the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment