The mutterings of a rubber chicken

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Remembering Paul Robert Eckna

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In memory of Paul Robert Eckna
Aged 28, of West New York, New Jersey


Five years ago, on September 11th, Paul Robert Eckna began his day as an International Equities Trader with Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center, Tower 1.

People were going about their business at the start of another working day. Here, in Australia, most of us were heading to bed. All of us unaware of how the world was about to change. For all of us, September 11th changed the way we perceived our world; for some, the change was on an intensely personal scale as loved family and friends were prematurely taken away.

On September 11th, Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 employees, more than 60 percent of the company’s entire work force.


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Today, as part of the 2,996 project, I join together with fellow bloggers worldwide to remember the 2,996 precious souls lost on September 11th. For those of us fortunate enough to have been spared the loss of a loved one on this day, by participating in this project, let us strengthen our resolve to never forget the events of this day. Let these individuals be strangers to us no more, let us hold them in our hearts forever.

Let me tell you a little about Paul.


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Born and raised in Garden City, New York, Paul was the son of Carol and Stanley Eckna and youngest brother of Richard and Stephen. Since September 11th 2001, he has become a beloved uncle to Caitlin Leigh and Christopher William.

Paul was a sports enthusiast and had a particular affinity for football. He played for Garden City Trojans in position 77. Later, he played for the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Paul had an enthusiasm for life. He loved his work with Cantor Fitzgerald and enjoyed the challenges of his position as an International Equities Trader. Paul, at only 28, had so much promise and so much to live for. A loving family, a large circle of friends, a great job.

Reading about Paul, you learn so much about his personality - his warmth, his consideration for others. It's reflected in the beautiful photograph above.


"Paul Eckna was a very unique and special individual with many talents. I'm proud to say that we were friends, and it gives me a great deal of happiness to know that I had the opportunity to be his roommate while studying at the university."


Matthew Good, friend.


Family and friends were very important to Paul and, from the messages I have read online, it is apparent that the feelings were mutual.


"Paul always had a smile, a funny story, a hug to make you feel special, a glint in his eye that said he was there for you, an open heart and an open mind. Paul was special, he continues to remain special and will hold that place in our hearts and minds forever."

Noreen Loser M., Paul's aunt


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Please take a minute of your time to think about Paul Robert Eckna and to pray for his family and friends.


"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

Kahlil Gibran


Paul Robert Eckna.

We will never forget.


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Visit the 2, 996 project and remember the lives lost on September 11th, 2001.
Thank you.

Postscript 11/9/06.


Apparently, the 2,996 link is down due to traffic volume.
Please also remember Denis F. Lavelle.

30 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

OH HOW SOON WE FORGET

Like to invite you for a visit to the "OH HOW SOON WE FORGET" Website at

http://tibbsau.com/how.html

It is a support website for the Leaders of the Free World and our Military. It has a lot of interesting information on it plus a Forum where you can also have your say concerning matters on this.

Thanking you for your time, hoping that you will come for a visit, and would be honoured if you would have time to sign the Guestbook in support.

Would also be great if you could forward this onto another contact of yours to help support us.

Yours Sincerely,

Peter T.

7:43 PM

 
Blogger Dr. A said...

Well done. We will never forget.

I have enjoyed your other blog entries as well. I'm going to add you to my links, if that's ok.

8:17 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great tribute. Mine was posted today.

9:51 PM

 
Blogger JR's Thumbprints said...

9/11 is fast approaching. We can only hope and pray that our freedom isn't compromised as we fight the war on terrorism. No one should have to suffer from the cowardly acts of the terrorists.

9:52 PM

 
Blogger ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

What a moving tribute for Paul. I was touched as many of the others who have left comments were by your tribute to a man who was himself so full of life. It saddens me to see such loss of life gone. Thank you for your remembrance of his life. Please stop by and visit, my tribute is for Durrell Pearsall.

6:02 AM

 
Blogger Katherine said...

That was a wonderfully written tribute - you did Paul proud. Thanks for stopping by my tribute to Marjorie C. Salamone.

8:19 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for honouring Paul. He is no longer just a name to me.

Mine is up.

11:31 AM

 
Blogger Zephra said...

Such a young man. So handsome. Thank you for honoring him.

My tribute is up.

3:31 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I keep going from site to site reading these. As I look at these pictures and read these tributes I am sickened that we lost so many of our most beautiful and intelligent people on this day of infamy.

Thank you so much for remembering us from down under. I am especially touched by all of the folks from other countries who had shared in our grief and have participated in this project.

This was a great tribute.

my tribute to "Adam K. Ruhalter" is up on my site. Please stop by.

11:18 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a heartfelt tribute to Paul. He had a wonderful smile. Let us not forget those who died and the families left to live life without them. We shall remember the day the world cried. We shall remember a day that the whole world mourned together. We shall remember September 11th as more than just a number thanks to the 9/11 tribute started by D.Challener Roe.

2:32 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A beautiful tribute. We lost so many beautiful souls that day.

Please read my tribute to Major Dwayne Williams, who was lost at the Pentagon.

12:22 AM

 
Blogger Carmen said...

we couldn't forget if we wanted to, after your moving tribute. Thank you.

I honor Lt. Col. Johnson today

5:36 AM

 
Blogger Rayne said...

Thank you for helping us remember Paul. You did a wonderful job in making him more than a name to us.
My tribute is to Robert J. DeAngelis and it would be wonderful if you could stop by and remember him.

6:59 AM

 
Blogger kateandjona said...

Thank you for sharing a beautiful heartwarming tribute.

Jonathon's Closet remembers Robert Levine, also a Cantor employee.

8:27 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's so nice to read about the individuals. Thanks for the awesome tribute to Mr. Eckna and thanks for having stopped by my tribute to Mr. Talignani. I'm really heartened to see people outside of the U.S. participating in this endeavor.

3:22 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I, too, am so touched by the tributes from those of you who live in other countries. Yes, the whole world is filled with goodness with folks like yourself.

That was a lovely tribute for a nice young man, Paul. I'm getting goosebumps as I try to read all of these posts; we really came together for the good of mankind on this day.

My tribute is for Stacey L. Peak.

God bless.

4:39 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for making Paul more than just another name on a memorial wall for me. What a beautiful smile. I remembered Susan Clyne and Jon Schlissel.

If you can't get to the 2966 site, try going to Katherine's blog (see above). She has listed more than 100 links. (Hope this doesn't crash her site!)

6:32 PM

 
Blogger Walker said...

Very nice tribute
Thank you for introducing us to Paul and giving him life once more

7:32 PM

 
Blogger Kache said...

That was a wonderful tribute, thank you

Faina's tribute

8:37 PM

 
Blogger mckay said...

god bless, Paul. ...and you, too, for your eloquent tribute, cw.

and thanks for visiting and remembering my 9/11 hero: Harvey J. Gardner III.

8:58 PM

 
Blogger Digital Fortress said...

Thank you, your tribute was beautiful.

Five years have come, and five years have gone, and still we stand together as one…

I did not know any victims, but I learned a lot about my asigned person. His tribute is on my blog.

9/11 is what compelled me to re-join the military and do my part.

6:00 AM

 
Blogger Kristy said...

Wonderful tribute to Paul.

Thank you !!

6:42 AM

 
Blogger signing as said...

I was unable to use a computer on this day but found myself in a church praying for all those lost souls. I remember i was in exactly the same place as i was this year when I saw it on the news.
tears fell like a rain from heaven..it seemed so unbelievable, so horrible but I watched it all in disbelief and pain.
thankyou for your tribute i would have liked to have done one too, but couldn´t be sure I could keep the commitment.
god be with all those lost souls.

3:13 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Paul will always be in our hearts. Few people pass through this world leaving a smile on the faces of those they touch...Paul was one of those few. There is one addition to his life that I would like to honor, and that is his loving fiance, Cheryl. She has not been mentioned at all, and as THE most important part of Paul's life, she should be a part of his remembrance blog regardless of the personal views of others. Paul and Cheryl, your love will continue until the end of time.

4:16 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

So honored to have known Paul on such a personal level for much of my entire life. Had a wonderful visit with him today at his grave site. You made such an impact on my life and I'm blessed forever because of your huge heart. Forever in our hearts Paul...xo Amy

8:33 PM

 
Anonymous Dave said...

I had the extreme pleasure of living next door to Paul at Nebraska during my freshman year. Of course, I don't think anybody knew him as Paul - everyone called him "Moose" for his large football frame.

Moose was one of the kindest, gentlest, and funniest people I have ever known.

3:36 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Paul will live in our hearts forever, he made me smile and was loved by our entire family. He will always be with us. God bless everyone who perished that day. We must stay vigilant in our quest for peace and steadfast in in our responsibility to provide safety for all Americans.

8:10 AM

 
Blogger dancilhoney said...

Commercial cleaners often produce wonderful value to the workplace environment, without having having to worry about employing a workforce of cleaners. Carpet Cleaners Johannesburg

4:21 PM

 
Blogger Meintjes Family said...

Paul was a wonderful man, full of life and laughter. He was engaged to Cheryl Oliveri.
They loved each other very deeply. Please remember Cheryl's great loss as well when remembering Paul.

6:20 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

My dad worked with Cheryl for many years and she is still a very good friend of our family. I think about her every year.

2:00 PM

 

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