Passage One
When the terrorist attack on September 11th caused people to flee the building, Avremel Zelmanowitz risked his own chance of escape by staying behind with his friend and colleague, Ed Beyea, who was Confined to a wheelchair due to a par’alysis (瘫痪). Both men lost their lives, but the stray of Avremel’s love and devotion to his friend conveys a life-giving message to all.
Avremel never married, and he shared a house with his brother and his family. He was a loving uncle to his brother’s children; and he was devoted to caring for his aging parents. He was a "family man" in every sense of the word. At the same time, he had his own life, his varied interests, and a job and friends.
When the tragedy occurred, Avremel was age 55, and his friend, Ed Beyea, was age 42. Ed became disabled after a diving accident at age 22, but he managed to work 14 years at Blue Cross since his injury Both he and Avremel were program analysts who worked on the 27th floor of World Trade Center.
They both loved books and music, and they both served as the special uncle of their respective families. Like Avremel, Ed had no children of his own, but he was a father figure to his two nephews after their father died.
On the morning of September 11, Ed wanted to wait until he could be securely carried down by several rescue workers, as it was dangerous for someone with his disability to be moved. Avremel wouldn’t allow his friend to wait alone when everyone else was fleeing the building, and he stayed with him.
In the days that followed, the media learned about Aw’emel’s selfless act, and the story began to spread. President Bush, in his national prayer address to the American people, referred to Avremel’s act as one of the many "outstanding acts of sacrifice" that were demonstrated by Americans during this crisis.