As another annual 9/11 observance has come and gone, I want to pay tribute to those lost, including a close childhood friend who was working in the Twin Towers as a financial trader on that tragic day.
President Roosevelt (FDR) called the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II: “A date that will live in infamy.” The same can be said of 9/11.
Even though it’s been 23 years, we must be mindful year-round of all the families, friends and relatives who lost loved ones. The memories and pain of loved ones lost never goes away.
Those whose lives were changed forever by the terrorist attacks on 9/11 will always be affected, regardless of the passage of time. Although there are no silver linings for 9/11, there have been many positive initiatives and philanthropic projects in memory of those lost.
My childhood friend is one of many victims whose memory is having a positive impact, via the “Swim for the Future” memorial scholarship in New York City.
Doug’s Story
Like many native New Yorkers, I lost someone close to me on 9/11. And even though it’s been over two decades since my childhood friend was killed, I still think about him. I still wonder what might have been for a promising young life cut so tragically short.
My friend Doug Irgang and I grew up together in Roslyn, a small Long Island suburb of New York City. Doug was just one day older than me and we shared a mutual group of friends since grade school.
Doug was the type of person who other people enjoyed being around.
Doug had an immaculate disposition, including an attitude that was always positive and uplifting. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. Doug could always put a smile on your face with a joke or clever quip.
Marriage Plans
In his early 30s, Doug worked for a financial services firm on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center’s south tower. Tragically, Doug was in his office when the planes hit, and the towers fell.
Prior to that day from hell, Doug had big plans. He had unexpectedly met his fiancée while commuting to work on the NYC subway. Doug was engaged to be married in December of 2001.
Doug’s future was bright, but his wedding day never arrived. Instead, a memorial service was held in our hometown to honor his life and legacy — and mourn his untimely death.
The New York Times wrote the following about Doug in a tribute entitled, “Lucky Beyond the Odds”
“Doug Jason Irgang had the kind of jaw-dropping luck that could win a lottery, or save a life. A financial trader, he was there when the trade center was bombed in 1993.”
“And he was on board the Long Island Rail Road train when Colin Ferguson went on a [random shooting] rampage.”
“Mr. Irgang was even lucky in love.”
“Riding the №4 train to work daily, he noticed that the same young woman was reading his newspaper over his shoulder. This being New York, they barely exchanged hellos.”
“Then one day, the woman scribbled her phone number on the newspaper and told him to call. He did. They were engaged a year and a half later, and set a wedding date for Dec. 22 [2001].”
Since 9/11, Ground Zero has been transformed into a somber memorial to honor the fallen and help families heal. Freedom Tower now graces the pristine skyline of NYC next to where the Twin Towers once stood. Doug’s tragic story is just one among many.
These are stories of innocence lost and dreams crushed under the rubble of a once iconic landmark gracing the skyline of lower Manhattan.
Swim for the Future
Doug loved swimming, a sport in which he thrived. He was a role model for young aspiring athletes, some of whom Doug took under his wing and trained for free after work and on weekends.
To honor his life, a memorial fund was established in Doug’s name to provide equal opportunities for minority swimmers in New York City.
The goal is to help swimmers with financial hardships to reach their full potential by providing the freedom to compete on a fair and level playing field — one without socioeconomic barriers.
The fund, called Swim for the Future, awards scholarships to aspiring professional swimmers to train and compete on a Manhattan-based elite swim team, which might otherwise be cost prohibitive.
Swim for the Future alumni include a young black woman from the Bronx who became a two-time Olympian.
Lia Neal received a memorial scholarship at the tender age of 8-years old, and ultimately won two swimming medals for Team USA. The following is from the Asphalt Green website:
“The Swim for the Future Scholarship was created in honor of two Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics (AGUA) Masters swim team members — Andrew Fisher and Doug Irgang — who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001.”
“Over the years, Swim for the Future Scholarship recipients have excelled in the swimming world at regional, national and international competitions while breaking personal, team, and national age group records.”
The memorial fund’s home base is Asphalt Green in Battery Park City. Their motto: “Making the Impossible Possible.”
CALL TO ACTION: Learn more about “Swim for the Future” Scholarship. For any questions or further information, please email development@asphaltgreen.org.
9/11 Memorial—photo by Aaron Lee on Unsplash
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