2,996 - A Tribute to Joseph DeLuca

September 10th, 2006

Do you remember your former self?
Do you remember when you felt like you could make a difference in the world?
Do you remember when you felt you had the power to protect those you love?
Do you remember when you could not spell Afghanistan or pronounce Al Qaeda?
Do you remember how you felt before the media and politics were involved?
Do you remember yourself before 9/11?

Do you remember the surge of pride, the one beacon of light that day, the one counter-offensive, amidst the haze of uncertainty?

Do you remember how you felt when you heard that 40 Americans stood in the way of a plot to level America?

Can you imagine for a moment, having the power to take a stand against those that would harm Americans, not on a battlefield, but at work? Joseph DeLuca was granted that power. Those that knew him have no doubt that he used that power to save others, ultimately sacrificing his own life to save America from suffering another devastating blow on a day we could take no more.

2,996 of us have chosen to remember 2,996.

Joseph DeLuca and 39 other ordinary Americans, realizing their death was imminent, decided to stop the plot, literally in its’ tracks. Although in death, Joseph DeLuca is a hero, he was, before that day, an average citizen, living the American Dream.

Joseph DeLuca was born in Newark and lived there for 22 years, graduating from Vailsburg High School. He attended Newark College of Engineering and graduated from Jersey City State College. He also lived in Morristown and Sparta before moving to Ledgewood. A systems business consultant for Warner-Lambert pharmaceuticals in Morris Plains for 23 years, Mr. DeLuca continued with the company after it merged with Pfizer a year ago.

Almost all of comments left at the memorial sites testified to his great sense of humor and many talents:

He could have been an artist, his sister Carol Hughes of Belford explained. A series of cartoons posted on the Morgan Web site shows that side of him. They are good-natured drawings featuring “Raymond the Cat,” a feline who appears to love cars as much as Mr. DeLuca did. During holidays, Mr. DeLuca, 52, sent cards with original sketches to family members and friends, mementos his sister plans to display at his memorial services.

To be continued… there is more to this man’s story.

Note: This was a quick tribute. I will continue to add more info (I have found quite a bit). I have not found any contact information for Joseph DeLuca’s family or friends, but if they read this tribute and would like anything added at any time in the future I will do so at their request. Also, anyone that was at the WTC’s that day, please feel free to contact me.

Entry Filed under: September 11, 2001