September 2005
Once again, a few weeks ago, for the fourth year, Sean, Uncle Al, and I returned to New York. We joined with all the other families of the victims of September 11th to remember ... as if we could ever forget ... what transpired on that fateful day. We were there of course for Mark ... because we promised him, and each other, that we would always be there, on that day ... always.
At this year's rememberence ceremonies, siblings played a much greater role and were the ones to actually read the names of the victims. Gentle music played throughout the reading of the names, except for the moments of silence to mark the two times when the planes hit the buildings and the two times they unbelievably fell. During these moments, bells all over New York and the surrounding areas tolled in memory of the moments few of us will ever forget. As it has been each year, it was once again the quietest gathering imaginable; thousands of people, standing very still in a state of quiet disbelief that their loved one's name would be called out at this site on this day ... Mark Ryan McGinly.
Since last September, many young men and women have lost their lives in the war on terror. Some have been soldiers, sailors, marines, and some like Mark, have been innocent and unsuspecting bystanders of a hate they never even for one moment considered. It continues to be difficult for all of us to remember that all of this started on September 11, 2001. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us of the war of our youth, Vietnam, and the desperation and frustration we felt then, we feel again. How are we ever going to resolve this situation?
Nonetheless, regardless of our politics, this summer's bombings in London and Egypt and the hurricane in our own Gulf area have made us keenly award that freedom is not free. If some brave young people do not step forward, peace and civility in nearly every city around the world would be in jeopardy on a daily basis. We continue to be most grateful to our military and our local law enforcement and safety personnel for their continued service on our behalf.
As many of you know, Marks' brother Drew is among these young people who serve to defend our country and our way of life. We are happy to report that a month ago, he returned from a seven-month deployment to the Persian Gulf which included a trip around the world on the USS Carl Vinson. In our brief conversations since his return, he has relayed stories of landing in Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, and Kuwait, and of flying over pyramids and landing in Egypt a few days before the bombing there. On their way home, he and the other pilots in his squadron also had a very nice trip to Greece and a great visit in Sicily with one of their very lucky Naval Academy classmates stationed there. On July 31st, we stood very proudly side by side with the Becker family as Lt. Drew McGinly "BEAR" and Lt. Ben Becker "TATER" landed their planes in Coronado, San Diego. It was a great day that fortunately included many pictures of the Naval Academy buddies and their families.
It is impossible to continue this year's message without noting that Ben Becker, Drew's roommate at their duty stations both in Norfolk and now in San Diego, was killed in a plan crash ten days after his return from the Persian Gulf. Ben was piloting a small plane near his home in Idaho. His brother Andy and his dad Bill were also killed in the accident. We cannot even fathom the pain Ben's mom and sister will endure in the days ahead.
There can be no doubt, that all of us are more aware of the very fragile nature of the lives we live and the people we love because of the loss of young people like Mark, and Ben Becker. Please keep the Becker family in your prayers and add a few for "Tater" and "Bear."
The Mark McGinly Classic, which you are attending today, is considered on of the premier fundraising events in the Washington area. There are very few gold tournaments that raise nearly $100,000 and this event if considered not only successful but also elite. The waiting list to participate in the golf tournament is longer every year. It is nearly impossible to "get in" to play gold on this day with Mark's family and friends. Of course, all of this tournament success enables the Mark Ryan McGinly Memorial Scholarship Fund to be among Northern Virginia's most prestigious and generous awards programs. This spring, the calls of 2005 earned $30,000 in MRM scholarships. Please take a moment to read about them on the Web site.
Mark had the very best smile and he would have been smiling big, and of course toasting big, this year as more friends go married and more babies were born. Chris Reedy tied the knot in Napa and Jen Fix and Bobby Riggins had a beautiful wedding at the Willard in DC. Joshua Leinwand was born near last year's tournament so he is probably ready to get in a foursome soon and Carter Cramp made the scene in memorable fashion on my birthday in February. We had the cutest birth announcement from Corinna and Jim Taubner with their very endearing and personal note, "When they said, it's a boy, we said, it has to be Mark." Mark would have been proud, as are we, to have little Mark Taubner named after him. It is gratifying to see so many of Mark's friends doing so well. However, nothing would have put a bigger smile on Mark's face than Sean's success. He know Sean was going to be a famous writer and director, he told everyone he met that his brother was "going to make it." It appears Sean will soon be performing some real magic with big name actors in New York. You can Google Great Buck Howard or Sean McGinly to read about his writing and directing achievements. And in 2006, HBO will include his documentary, "9/11 Brothers," in their five-year commemoration special.
Please know we feel and treasure your continued concern for our family. We understand it is difficult to ask, "how are you all doing" as you know, before you ask, we will never be the same without Mark. We want you to know that last Saturday, in a simple family ceremony guided by our longtime pastor, Monsignor Stoerlein, we were finally able to rest Mark beside his beloved Grandmom Theresa in Vineland, ND. He was happy spending summers there as a youngster and he loved being a young man in New York. It is appropriate that those two locations share in being his final resting places.
The four of use continue to think of Mark several times each day as we are reminded of what little wise crack he would have made about anything we are trying to do. One thing we know for sure, he would have been proud and happy to have The Classic held in his memory. All praise and all thanksgiving to our dear friends Don and Cheryl Skiados who could "do golf tournaments" for a living, they are so exceptionally talented. Special thanks to Brian Champ, Donny Skiados, James Cramp, and Suzannah Griffiths for their help with the very emotional scholarship presentations. Lastly, thank you to every organization and person who continues to support this endeavor, the fund, and our family. Please know how very much we appreciate you, your friendships, your kindness, and your generosity.
Bill McGinly
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