What are some stories of compassion and courage you can share with us of people helping fellow New Yorkers in this crisis; and generally stories of people's efforts to help NYC recover?

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Answers

I noticed a story on a finance website about the loss of Bill Meehan - the finance analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald, a brokerage firm that was located on the top floors of the World Trade Center. I had seen him on TV and read his articles on the internet often. It seems unreal that I'll never see or hear from again. I'll miss him. Steve Solowey Sept. 18, 2001

Below is the new story by David Morrow at RealMoney.com about the passing of Bill Meehan.

Personal Finance : Editor's Desk

In Memory of One of Our Own

By David Morrow Editor in Chief 09/18/2001 09:36 AM EDT

Sadly, as rescue workers continue to search through the rubble at the World Trade Center, some officials are now saying the chances of finding any survivors are slim. Some of the victim's families are now ready to pay respects to their lost loved ones.

Bill Meehan, the chief market strategist for Cantor Fitzgerald and a valued contributor and treasured colleague, has been among the thousands missing since the first plane crashed into the Trade Center's north tower early Tuesday morning.

On the site at 2 p.m. EDT today, we will offer our tribute to him, how he touched us personally and the enormous contribution he made to the business community and to financial journalism.

All our prayers are with his wife Maureen; sons, William, 20; Daniel 16; and daughter Katie, 10.

In lieu of flowers, the Meehan family asks that contributions be made to the Cantor Fitzgerald Foundation to help the families of the World Trade Center disaster. Please contact Phil Ginsberg, Cantor Fitzgerald Foundation, 101 Park Ave., 45th Floor, New York, NY 10178, or call 800-446-0500.

-- Dave

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Well, on the news, its been reported that there are millions of firefighters and police at "ground zero" helping find survivors. So far, I **THINK** survivors have been found (I'm not sure,so somebody please correct me if i'm wrong). Oddly enough, many volunteers that have been helping are being turned away, as well as the donations of food and supplies... as there is enough of it in the WTC site. At least, " for the momment,"say officials.

There are Volunteers however, are helping the clean the street in Manhattan, which is generally great because Manhattan, especially the WTC area used to be relatively clean and neat.

Some places ( I don't remember their names) are giving free massages and facials to all those helping the effort- including volunteers, firefighters, and others. Other places like Models, are giving away sweatpants, t-shirts, and stuff like that, to the effort.

Additionally, Radio-wise, many radio stations like Z100, KTU, KISS FM have teamed up and are playing more mellow music, which consoles the public. Some songs, like Jewel's "Hands" are very popular at this point. The lyrics of these types of songs, seem to have more meaning now. Every now and then, the radio stations are putting in some of the more "typical, popular" music in effort to return to the "normal."

There's this one story, about a volunteer who has helped an elderly woman find her husband, who was close to the location of the WTC collaps. The volunteer says (I'm paraphrasing) " Just find anyone, and talk to them... you will learn so much..."

There are so many places one can donate to. like 1-800-GIVE-BLOOD (to donate blood) and Firefighters Fund

The government and other agencies are working to review safety procedures. There will be a lot of changes to make sure that all forms of public transportation, including airplanes, trains and buses, become safer. A big plus out of all of this.

Yesterday, was National Rememberance Day...Candle lighting at 7 PM, EST. My family lit at least a dozen candles, brought some down to the lobby of my building, and rest are by the windows of my living room, in rememberances of the deceased.

-- Anonymous, September 15, 2001