A September 11th - 2,996 Tribute - Remembering Thomas Richard Kelly

I am honored to pay tribute today to Thomas Richard Kelly of Riverhead, New York.

Thomas - a lieutenant with FDNY Ladder 105 - died on September 11, 2001 at The World Trade Center. He was 38 years old.

The last time Thomas Richard Kelly was seen he was going into the South Tower of the Trade Center. A short time later it collapsed.

His birthday is February 13th, only 9 days after mine.

From what I have read Thomas Richard Kelly had a ready smile and was blessed with a great sense of humor. He was, it appears, a prankster.

One friend wrote in an online tribute about his enjoyment of bicycle riding. It appears that is something he was passionate about. There are stories online about him swimming in a shark tank at the Riverhead Aquarium where he was once a volunteer.

Two other passions Thomas had were baseball and rock and roll. He was a fan of the New York Mets and a Deadhead.

The best of what I have been able to find about Thomas Richard Kelly are the thoughts and feelings people closest to him have shared.

One September 11, 2002 his brother Robert wrote the following comment in a Legacy.com Guest Book:

One year later, I miss you all the time. When I hear our favorite music, look in the sky, go to the beach, you are every were bro, keep a watchful eye over us down here, help us to be strong, and do the right thing.It seems like we were just on the beach solving all the problems of the world, only yesterday.As I try to move forward I will keep a part of you with me for the rest of my life.You guys keep the rest of the fire dept. safe down here, we cant take another big hit. I want to thank all the folks that have been sending in these beautiful tributes. I print them for my mom and Dad it makes them feel very proud. God bless you all, NOT FADE AWAY,TOMMY! I LOVE YOU BUDDY, BOBBY

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On February 12, 2002 Christopher Kelly wrote the following in the Legacy.com Guest Book:

Tomorrow, February 13, my cousin Tommy would have been 40 years old. However today, a 39 year old hero lies somewhere beneath the world trade center. Tommy and I grew up together and attended the same grammar school (St. Mary Gate of Heaven) in Ozone Park, NY. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was very popular among our classmates. He was also one of the brightest kids in our school. By the time he was 12 he showed our whole class what a Patriot he already was when he recited the Preamble of the United States. He was the only one able to do that. I was always very envious of his quick-wit and his incredible command of the English language. He knew and understood the meaning of so many "big words" even adults looked at him in amazement. Although we had grown apart after high school I still think about him often and wished that we had remained close. Nevertheless, I miss him very much. Tommy could have been anything he wanted to be and commanded a large salary. To his credit, he chose a noble carreer as a NYC Firefighter. He hails from a family of heroes so it came as no suprise that he would be one of the first to arrive at the World Trade Center. In the days following 9/11, I searched for him and anyone else that may have still been alive. I came across his fire truck (Ladder 105) and I was overcome with emotion and began to sob. I noticed the melted tires, the broken windshield, the tools and bunker gear. Then I noticed Old Glory, tattered and frayed but flying proudly and defiantly. I climbed up and took it down and tied it to my gun belt. I said a prayer, kissed the rig and moved on in my endeavor. About a half an hour later we found the body of a civilian and placed the flag over his corpse. Two days later I gave the flag to my cousin Bobby who gave it to the grateful surviving heroes of L105. I wrote this poem entitled AVALON SUNSET in honor of Tommy. It's about Tommy and the days I spent at Ground Zero in search of him. Happy Birthday Tom!..... Last night I had a lovely dream. I saw him standing there. A tall young man in coveralls, the wind swept through his hair. He stood upon a mountain top. Eclipsed by the sun, beside a nest of eagle eggs, stood the chosen one. I trampled through the sullen wood, an attempt to blaze a path. To bow before a Patriot, beyond the grapes of wrath. I clamored up the mountainside, and had fallen many times. His love would not forsake me now, though thorns cut through my sides. I'm near you now, I'm near you, I've come to take you home. If only I could reach her peak and see the setting sun. Lord help me now I beg you, to stem the rising tide. I have travelled many miles, to be there by his side. High above the tree line now, I bent to take a drink. From the cascading waters of Avalon I paused a moment to think: How foolish I must seem to him, to think that I could stand, on a hero trodden footpath beside this courageous man. For his heart was filled with valor, while courage imbibed his soul and hero is far too small a word to properly extol. Alas in all of God's Glory, I saw his smiling face. He held me in his burly arms and wiped my tears with lace. He said to me in Avalon, there is a place like this. Where one day you will know his love and feel his tender kiss. I beg you please don't leave me then, I'd be lost without you here. For I am not a noble one, nor champion of men. And once again he smiled at me and he grinned from ear to ear, as long as you believe in me, you'll never have to fear. For soon there will come a day of Glory, when mortal hearts shall cease. The sun will set on this Avalon and you will be at peace. And when you see the Phonix rise, You will know that it is me. For I'll soar you through the Gates of Heaven and in paradise, forever we shall be.... Our pain is so great because our love is so strong. You're family. Youre friends. You're City. You're Country are forever grateful you stepped upon this earth....May you rest in peace. With love, gratitude and admiration.........Cousin Chris.

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The American Liberty Partnership has a page dedicated to Thomas. On September 11, 2005 Marianne wrote the following comment on this tribute page:

Tommy, all of Reeves Park misses you! Park Road has been named after you and Brian keeps a beautiful garden at the entrance. I'm sure that you can see all of this from heaven, but what I want to let you know is how we ALL think of you as we come and go from the neighborhood. You will be in our hearts forever!!