I hardly have words to describe the horrible disaster that hit our nation on September 11th, 2001. Today is the five year anniversary. It is a day to honor the heros that helped to save lives and to pay tribute to the lives of all 2,996 victims. I have the priviledge to honor Alvin Peter Kappelman Jr.
Al and his wife, Barbara, lived in Green Brook, New Jersey, where they had raised their two daughters, Melanie and Kristen. He had been a volunteer fireman for Green Brook Fire EMS for 41 years. He came by it naturally, his father had been a volunteer for 70 years. And his uncle was also a volunteer for the department. Al had served as chief for six years.
He was described as a straight shooter, someone that would always let you know where you stood and expected the same in return. No beating around the bush for him. His friend and fellow firefighter, John Kline, said that he was very outgoing, but he was going to tell you what he was thinking, like it or not! His daughter Melanie said that he had a very gentle way of saying things, and that his business sense was softened by an honest caring demeanor.
Al and Barbara liked to spend their weekends at their home in Ortley Beach on the Jersey Shore. They used to comb the beach for sea glass or watch for dolphins. This paints a very different picture than the high powered executive. His daughter also remembered a time on the Jersey Shore when she and her sister were very little, and they all had gone to a parade. Her father noticed smoke coming from a house. He went into the house before the fire department even got there, to make sure no one was inside, because that was the kind of man he was, always putting others before himself.
He was an insurence executive with Royal & Sun Alliance. He was at the World Trade Center that fateful morning for a scheduled meeting with Aon Corp. in Tower Two when the planes hit. I prefer to think he was there by Divine Appointment. His family can picture him helping people to flee the burning buildings and offering comfort and care to those he encountered. I have no doubt that he was, because that is what he did. He was a hero!
You are missed Alvin Kappelman, by your family, your fellow firefighters, your coworkers, and friends. You did not die in vain. This country will always remember, not just the tradgedy, but the 2,996 victims and their families. We didn't know you personally, but it feels like we did. This country was united as one that day, and we lost our brothers and sisters. God Bless You All!
posted by ...jus me at 5:32 PM
8 Comments:
Thank you for sharing this with us.
He sounds like a fabulous father, friend and companion. What a loss...
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing - it's a beautiful tribute.
So So sorry from a Kappelman in Iowa,kapp1960@msn.com
I stumbled upon your blog and just wanted to add my appreciation of your posting a tribute to Al. I went to Dunellen High School with him and because it was such a small school we all knew each fairly well. I particularly remember Al from history class because he sat in front of me....you can learn a lot from a person's back and back of their head, lol. Anyway, he was such a sweet & friendly but somewhat serious fellow back then and from all the feedback I've heard and read, his personality didn't change much as years went by.
I also remember the guys in both Dunellen and Greenbrook who served as junior firemen(my brother-in-law was also one)and as you mentioned I have no doubt that the same young fireman I knew all those years ago most probably put other victims survival before his own.
I hadn't seen Al (and Sue, who was also a classmate)in probably 35 years but when I received news of his being in the WTC my memory flashed back to the young teenager I knew back in the early 60's and I couldn't help but take those terrorist attacks more personally because of him.
Anonymous...I just re-read this post just the other day. And each time that I do, I feel like I knew him all the more. I like the person I found in my research.
I'm pleased that you recognized him in the tribute. Such a tragedy that his life was cut short. So many stories of people who's lives ended that day. I hope and pray that it never becomes just a chapter in a history book.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. And on a side note... I do understand how much you can learn about a person from the back of their head and their back. I married the boy who sat in front of me in English!
This is a beautiful post. I just want to make you aware that someone is trying to scam people by using this angels name. They are sending scam emails to people acting as If they are a banking manager in hong kong and that mr Alvin Peter kappelman left behind 7.5million. I think this scam should stop. Putting such a innocent mans name who seem to be a angel to most in the middle of this scam is outright ridiculous. I am just bringing it to your attention because this was your loved one and they are using his name in vain. If you type his name in google you will read the scam. Please help get the scam offline. I have posted the same message on numerous sights to complain about it. Let him rest in peace! ❤����������������.
Please i am a christian woman.I just want to warn you that someone is trying to claim Mr. Alvin Peter Kappemann,Jr money he left.That is not honest.I don't want the person that doing this to know how the info was found out.How can i let his family know what's going on?
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