Many of us who turned on our televisions on the morning of the September 11, 2001 attacks are looking back today, amazed that 25 years has passed. For many, it was, or became a very personal experience. One of those is reader Brian, who contacted me earlier this year for some parts and advice on getting a pair of Gen-2s back to running condition, one after 14 years of inactivity.
It wasn't until later that I found an account of Brian's VFR story on a VFR forum. It involves his brother (I'm so sorry I can't find his name) who was sickened after responding to the attacks in NYC. Brian's words are below….
It wasn't until later that I found an account of Brian's VFR story on a VFR forum. It involves his brother (I'm so sorry I can't find his name) who was sickened after responding to the attacks in NYC. Brian's words are below….
"He was my identical twin. He was a team leader on Newburgh PD SWAT. They, along with many other area PD tactical units were requested to respond in the aftermath of WTC on 9/11. He spent 3 weeks at Ground Zero. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016. The mutation of his cancer was directly related to the exposures he experienced at WTC. His condition eventually forced him into disability retirement from the PD in 2017. He fought the disease for eight years, receiving over 120 rounds of chemo in that time. A true warrior to the end.
These bikes have been side by side for the last 26 years. He and I both said to one another that they should remain together, no matter what. So now they sit in my garage. And hopefully remain together for many years to come. We rode these sparingly over the years to keep the mileage low. We had other motorsport interests as well that kept us from riding these a lot. We put a few hundred miles a year on fun rides together. His 87 has 95xx miles and my 86 has 11,5xx.
He was my identical twin. I miss him terribly. Having his long-owned VFR in my possession gives me a bit of peace."
These bikes have been side by side for the last 26 years. He and I both said to one another that they should remain together, no matter what. So now they sit in my garage. And hopefully remain together for many years to come. We rode these sparingly over the years to keep the mileage low. We had other motorsport interests as well that kept us from riding these a lot. We put a few hundred miles a year on fun rides together. His 87 has 95xx miles and my 86 has 11,5xx.
He was my identical twin. I miss him terribly. Having his long-owned VFR in my possession gives me a bit of peace."
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