Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Embarrato:
What an amazing sister you have! I met her this weekend at survivor's weekend in Albany and my only regret is that I didn't spend enough time with her. I have been reading her letters to you and the ones she wrote to my son and she is such a lovely lady. Please send her signs that you are watching over her like the ones my son will send me when I ask. It's just the little things like the beautiful red cardinal that would come in the backyard all summer during the evening or the deer that appear across the street for Dad and I to enjoy. It's signs like that which keeps us going.
You sound like a wonderful person and I hope I get to meet your sister, Anita again some day.
Cindy Todeschini

Cindy Todeschini
Mom of Trooper Craig J. Todeschini EOW 4/23/06

October 23, 2006

I want to thank your sister for the flower and prayer left at the wall in D.C. for my son Michael. From reading her reflection about her memories of you when she was young let me see what a great person and big brother you were. I know the daily struggle she has with the pain she suffers as she is also a bereaved parent. No one knows this loss unless they walk in our shoes no matter how many people say that we should get on with our lives, unless they experience this loss, they don't know. All any of us can do is take one day at a time. Keep watch over your baby sister and wrap your wings around her for protection. I am so glad that she has talked about you with all the generations that came after your end of watch and did not personally know you. A hero deserves to have his memory continued on and thats what she has done and I salute her for that. You are a hero and heroes never die. Someone sent me this poem and I know your loving sister can relate to it: (You will never be forgotten)

Poem by Richard Fife:

No person is ever truly alone.
Those who live no more,
Whom we loved,
Echo still within our thoughts,
Our words, our hearts.
And what they did,
And who they were,
Becomes a part of all that we are,
Forever

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

October 1, 2006

My dear brother, although people often stop counting birthdays when a loved one is called back home (as you were; much too soon and much too young) and thereafter only mark the anniversary date of their having left this life, I have not. And now it is your would-have-been seventy-fifth birthday. The last one we celebrated with you was your twenty-ninth; your thirtieth was coming up that September and then…

My husband and I just returned from the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in DC where I went to place flowers, say a prayer and touch your name. Afterwards I attended the l2 noon Mass being offered in your memory on this your birthday and Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of law enforcement officers. I received and offered my Holy Communion for you and cried for the loss of what could have been.

I have missed you and thought of you every day, of these past forty-five years, two months and twenty-four days, and I will continue to.

The last time I saw you was at our house; it was Thursday, and I asked when you’d be home again. You said it would probably be the following Thursday as it would be your “off day” because you were scheduled to work through the July 4th holiday week-end which was starting on Friday and going through Wednesday.

You had come home to pick up a new suit you had altered because as Mom always pointed out, your shoulders were sooo broad; and because your waist was sooo much smaller than the pants that came with the size jacket you needed, you always had to have the pants taken in.

You had a very good build and you were as handsome as you were intelligent. I remember how you would encourage me to read more since you had such a love of books, and I regret never finding your passion for the classics as well as Pogo.

You were a loving, caring and good human being. You were the family “calm and patience,” the thoughtful and insightful arbitrator, the peacemaker.

I can still see your face; and hear your footsteps as you went down the stairs that day and I even remember your cough to clear your throat before giving me, the kid sister, your brotherly lecture. It always ended in “help mom!” I guess you thought I was a typical teenager, all about “me.”

Your loss changed all of us. There was no more joy for Mom and Dad, even though Cookie and I tried to distract them from their grief. Neither your two little nephews, (one that was born on your birthday and who shared his first with you, on what would be your last, and the infant born two days after your accident) nor my “keeping company,” getting engaged and planning a wedding could fill the void left by your loss.

Sal, the what ‘ifs’ are still painful. I love you my big brother, I miss you and I cherish all the memories I was privileged to have of you for the eighteen years God allowed me to experience as your youngest sister.

There was the disappointed Sister Antionette who was unhappy because although you had achieved the highest academic grades throughout your eight years in grade school and was in line for the medal of excellence, you lost it to the new Asian boy who got an extra 10 points for penmanship. You always wrote like a doctor and I know although it was your dream to become just that, Sister couldn’t deal with the fact that all those years of "push and pulls and ovals penmanship lessons" hadn’t make a dent in yours and she made no apologies for her upset. I heard the story a few times and although I wasn’t there it seemed as though I was and so it was stored in my memory.

My earliest memory is actually when I was about three and you were fifteen. Mom had asked you to watch me and you wanted to play softball with your friends. I guess the reason I remember is because you and your friends traumatized me as you were all lifting me over what I recall being a very high wall (a shortcut) that led to the field where you played. I was scared and I guess it left an impression on me. I was being hoisted from the bottom and yanked at the top as Oscar, Hank and you completed the tugging task. Years later I saw that wall and it wasn’t nearly as high as I remembered, but then again I was only three.

I remember when you took me to the RKO Theater to see Disney movies whenever them came out and to the Radio City Music Hall, when I was a little girl about five or six years old, to see Peter and the Wolf and Willie the Whale (who sang) At The Met. You wanted to see both films and since they were both semi-classical musicals done in animation you thought you should take me because you were all of seventeen and felt funny to go by yourself. At least that was what you said.

Whenever you exercised on that flat board with the canvas pocket that you put your feet through (the precursor to an exercise bench) you would always let me feel like I was helping you. You would have me sit on your feet to balance the motion of all those sit ups you did and I really thought I was an important part of your routine.

You would juggle for me, tell me riddles, tickle me and your sense of humor always made me laugh. I adored you and all the attention.

I remember you practicing the clarinet when you were in the Cardinal Hayes HS Band and mom being concerned that you were going to distort your top lip from blowing into it. She was really starting to worry.

How funny it was when your Irish HS classmates had to clean up a sandwich that you had been eating in the auditorium during an assembly and the Monsignor took it from you and flung it across the aisle. Those slivers of eggplant went into a thousand different directions and for weeks you kept getting ribbed because not only were there still tiny pieces being found but the guys kept wondering “what the heck do you Italian guys eat.” How we laughed at a story worth retelling.

I was in awe of how many answers you knew to the questions on the TV quiz shows.

I know the lyrics and the music to most of the recording artists of the late 30’s, the 40’s and early 50’s thanks to you and your Make-Believe-Ballroom radio programs. My past is much of yours and I play a mean game of Trivia thanks to you.

When I first started to wear a little lipstick you would stand behind me as I looked into the mirror and you would sing an original lyric and tune to a made up version of a song you called PoPo the clown.

Since Mom had to work I would be left with the chore of fixing you something to eat before she got home and you had to leave for work at the post office. More than once I could have gotten you sick with the hot dogs (I barely knew how to boil water) that always looked greasy when “I” made them even though Mom would called from her office to tell me what to do. Then there were the directions she had left for me to follow in preparing you a ‘real’ meal. While I was reading them, having the paper too close to the flame, it caught fire. I was trying to read faster and you even had to tell me to drop the paper into the sink before I got burned.

I became the subject of several good stories for you to amuse others with but it was always done lovingly and in fun.

I remember when you went into the Army and how you would send money home to Mom and always wrote those beautiful letters. We would live for the postman… I have cherished the Happy Wanderer Hummel that you sent me for my twelfth birthday from Fort Riley, Kansas (you had remembered!) and even now it sits in a place of honor in my home.

I remember when you and another new trooper were going to drive upstate together to attend classes at the Albany headquarters. He got to the house early so I made both of you breakfast before you left the city. Later in the day his mother called and when I answered the phone she apologized for not being able to see her son Irving off that morning. I reassured her he was fine, had eaten a breakfast of ham and eggs with you and she seemed alarmed. I didn’t know I had inadvertently tainted a religious rule of her faith and Irv was going to hear about it thanks to me. But he sure enjoyed his breakfast.

Sal, there are so many memories and I wish there could have been years more made.

I have your baby shoes, your blonde curl from your first haircut, your First Holy Communion prayer book and white tie, Confirmation pin and arm band, your altar boy collar, your report cards, your awards, (I think Cookie has your yearbook, high school ring and diplomas) your Trooper Hat, (I wear your St. Joseph medal) the Crucifix, Nameplate and the American Flag that was handed to Mom. I cherish and value all of them as she did.

I have told my children about their wonderful uncle. I named my first son after you hoping he would have some of your fine traits, and he did. He even became an eye doctor, not quite the surgeon you were hoping to be, but a proud achievement nonetheless. My grandchildren know who you are and all the stories that go with the photos. Your pictures fill my home and you will never be forgotten. We were proud of you and continue to be.
.
Happy Birthday Brother, I pray that you, Mom, Dad and my Salvatore are celebrating together in Heaven. Until we are all united again, you all remain in my thoughts, my heart and my prayers.

God’s Blessings on you for being a most loving and caring brother.

All my love always…Anita.

sister

September 29, 2006

I salute you for your service and to say that even after 41 years, you have not been forgotten and thats because heroes never die. I know the grief your loved ones carry in their hearts as I am walking the same path. I know our lives will never be the same and that we have some solace in that you died doing what you loved, being in law enforcement. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

July 16, 2006

Well Sal, it's once again July 6th, a Thursday, just as it was on that same day and date all those many years ago when our family suffered our great loss of a wonderful son and the best big brother two sisters could have ever hoped to have. It is said that time heals all wounds and I guess that may be true of physical healing. Then there are those wounds time cannot heal because what is carried in the heart, the memories and the love will always recall all too well the pain and grief that the soul bears when a loved one is called home much too young and much too soon. I suffer that for you my dear brother. I miss you as much now as ever.
There was a mass of remembrance celebrated for you this morning that my husband and I attended. We received holy communion in your memory. After church we drove to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in DC to place flowers near your name and said a prayer for you. I also brought flowers to place near Tpr. Ambrose's name as well and prayed for him too. Sal, I hope that you, Mom, Dad and now my other beloved Sal are all happy, celebrating together and sharing in God's eternal peace. I miss and love all of you -- take care of each other and watch over our families. Please, keep your nephew close to you until we can all be together again. Happy Anniversary in Heaven, as you mark your 45th year of being "Eternally on Watch." You were and are our pride, our joy and still remain the best of us.

Always in my thoughts and heart. All my love.
Anita

Anita L. Culosi
sister

July 6, 2006

Thank you Trooper Embarrato for the sacrifice that you made so long ago.

Anita, I pray that God holds you in the palm of his hand and comforts you in your time of sorrow.

Trooper's Wife
Oklahoma Hiwghway Patrol

June 23, 2006

May Our Lord heal the terrible pain your family is suffering now.May you and your nephew rest safe in the Arms of Our Lord and may He Bless your family.

May 24, 2006

dear sal, i hadn't put anything in print,because it's painful to think of you as past. reading of anita's pain is too much. as you know she just lost her sal, i can't know how she feels but it must be what mom felt. you left a wonderful kid sister behind. she never forget, just as mom never forgot.i remember the day you left us, i was in the process of having my second son, you never knew this one, you only had a short time with my sal. but on that day i asked our god to take my unborn child and let you come back to us, that was the only way i could comfort myself from the pain i was feeling. never to see you again, or hear your dry sense of humor, and your scowl, i even missed that. i had a family to tend to, but anita and mom and dad had each others pain to deal with. as time passed i could think of the silly things that passed between us as kids, but i only hoped that my boys would be just a little like you, that would have been enough for me, just that little bit.sal anita's loss of her sal has left her numb, please help her to heal, she loves too deeply, and feels too much, she is so much of you. love cookie.

April 13, 2006

Dear Uncle Sal.

I never new you but i have heard many things about you from my mother (your sister) Anita. She always spoke very highly of you, so highly that I tried to become a police officer myself. I never made it, so I assumed that was not God's plan for me, but I wanted you to know that you inspired me to try. That being said I am writing you now because I wanted to ask you to look after my brother. Obviously you know of the tragic loss that my family has endured. My mother always said that you and my brother shared many of the same qualites. I never knew you but if you were even half as wonderful as my brother, then I am confident that you were not only an amazing officer, but an amazing son, brother, friend, and person. I miss my brother so much uncle Sal. I know the way my mother must have felt when she lost you. It makes me grieve for her even more than myself. I can feel her pain of losing a brother, but not of losing a son. That makes her pain so much worse. I want you to help heal her. As for me, my brother and I were very close. He was my best friend. I would see him 2 or 3 times a week. We would hang out at his house and watch tv. We would go out and sing karaoke together. We would go on little road trips to Baltimore. We were very much alike and he was the only person in my family who really understood me and sympathize with me. He was my only brother and I his. The bond between a brother and a brother is something that I cannot describe. I could just look at him and know what he waws thinking. I used to shout out to him over the mic when we sang karaoke "I love you Brother" he would reply on the mic "This is my retarded brother". It's little things like that that I miss. Those little memories of him giving me a brotherly tough time or listen intently to a funny story I was telling. Oh how he loved to laugh and how I was always able to make him laugh. I missed that and I am forever robbed of the opportuniy to ever do that again. Just please let him know that my heart breaks for him every day. Tell him that I miss him terribly. And tell him to continue to give me the strength that he has been thus far to cope with a life altering and painful event such as this. I LOVE YOU BROTHER. Thanks Uncle Sal

Christopher

Christopher ---nephew and son of Anita

March 22, 2006

Dearest Brother - I went to 6:15 mass this morning for Dad's fifth anniversary of having joined you and mom. I never could have imagined that I would be asking Daddy along with you and mom to take care of my son. Like you my Sal was ripped out of our lives by a senseless act on the part of a person whose name has not been released to us and who acted in an unprovoked and unforgivable way. My son was robbed of his life and we who loved him have been destroyed and killed along with him. For a moment I was part of a survivor family because of your loss and now I am part of a victim family because of my son. It is so unimaginable for this to have happened and I fall apart each time I try to relive the circumstances. Why? Why God, didn't our family have enough pain, this too. Sal, maybe you could somehow let me understand why our family has had to endure these trials. I know in my head that bad things happen to good people but you and my son should have been spared. You were both cheated from sharing yourselves with those who would have benefitted from your presence in this world. Please forgive me for pouring out my heart to you but I so miss you and your wisdom and the way you would always be able to put things in perspective for the rest of us. Sal help me to deal with all the emotiions I am feeling, I don't want to become hateful and I don't want to let my family down by not being strong for them. I love you my big brother, and I'm counting on the intercession of each of you to storm heaven so that justice will prevail and God will bless us and in his mercy help us to heal. All my love always and stay close to your precious nephew.

Anita

February 21, 2006

Uncle Sal
I have always had a special place for you in my heart because you remained so alive in our family even after you had passed on to eternity. I keep a holy card with a picture of you on it to remind me to pray for you always. Your life and death were the inspirations for many of the good decision I made in my life. I wanted to do something very good with my life in your honor. My mother adores you.

After attending the funeral Mass of our dear brother Sal, I came to a deeper understanding of the loss that my mother suffered when Nan received the tragic news of your death that summer of 1961. All of the past has become somehow so present and I weep at the 2 losses that my mother has suffered. She needs your strength and protection more than ever now.

I can only trust that your arms were opened wide for your namesake when he left us all too soon and tragically just a few weeks ago. Kiss him for me Uncle --and one day I know that we will all be together again. What a GRAND day that will be INDEED!

Your niece
Cynthia

Cynthia --niece and daughter of Anita

February 14, 2006

Sal, I was going to wish you a Happy St, Valentine's Day in heaven, but I don't think our family will have a happy anything ever again. I am sitting here broken-hearted and I know you know why. I feel I have been chosen to lead Mom's life over again. I never fully understood why after your accident Mom was so absorbed in mourning your loss, but now I know firsthand. To lose a child is the most unsurvivable thing that can happen to a parent. I would tell Mom that it wasn't fair to Cookie and me because we still needed her. I know I have other children and I wish I could be there for them the way it was before but its not that way anymore. I had told Mom that if I ever had a son I would name him after you and she said that it might not be a good idea because it seemed that all the Sals were too good and that God would want them back much too soon. I did have a son and I was proud to name him after you. He had almost all of your finest traits. He was handsome, intelligent, loving and kind. As a boy he was a good student, athletically talented, a valued friend and an obedient son. He was never a problem. He excelled at everything just like you. He was a special joy. His sisters are devastated, because to lose a brother is a life altering painful experience. I also know that too well. His brother and he were very close and since he is such a sensitive kid I think the bravado he shows is couching the terrible hurt he is dealing with. His father is trying not to focus on our reality so that he can assume the responsibilities he has for our family. He is outraged as we all are at the circumstances for our sadness. Sal I hope you Mom and Dad were there to welcome our dear son and I pray that you all will watch over him until I can join all of you. Please pray for us in that communion of saints so that God will give us the strength we will need to cope and get through this terribly sad and difficult time. You know I always prayed for all those brave officers who would go out everyday in order to protect and serve the community and now I can only hope that someday I might feel that way again. Until we all meet again know that I miss all of you and you will all be in my heart and prayers. All my love and watch over my precious son.

Anita

February 14, 2006

Well Sal, I finally got your brother-in-law to take me over the Tappan Zee Bridge to visit the trooper barracks to see the memorabilia shaddow box they have in place for you and Tpr. Ambrose. A very nice trooper let us in and we took some photos. He told me that I could send floral arrangements to the barracks that would be placed near the outdoor memorial as anniversaries of special dates and holidays arise. We were up in NY for a neighborhood/St. Joseph's class of '56 reunion. It was great to see friends we hadn't been in contact with since the early 60's. Old friendships and memories are the best of things we hold near and dear in a world that has changed not always for the better; so it was a wonderful time. I stopped in to see Cookie and Anthony and our nephew Alfred dropped in with his three children. Everytime I see how our family has grown, I can't help but miss you more because I know you would have had such a positive influence on all our lives and your grandnieces and nephews can't even begin to understand what they have been robbed of by your absence from us. God continue to reward you for the fine son, brother, trooper and relative you were to all of us who remember when....Please continue to watch over us from that best place and know that you are loved, missed and carried in our hearts always. xo Anita

Anita L. Culosi

November 11, 2005

Today is your "would have been" seventy-fourth birthday. To have you grow older with the rest of us would have been wonderful, but fate deals us the hand we must play. I went to mass and communion today in your memory as it is not only your birthday but also St. Michael's feast day. I miss you my dear brother, I cherish all my memories of you and wish you a heavenly Happy Birthday. I hope you, mom and dad are all celebrating together. All my love always.

Anita

September 29, 2005

Sal, I apologize for not being able to attend the Sept. 9-11, 2005 Albany Tribute weekend in honor of all fallen NYS troopers. I will go to mass on Saturday in your memory and pray for all of your fellow officers, as I keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. All my love, my dear brother. xo Anita

Anita L. Culosi

September 8, 2005

Sal, I went to mass and communion in your memory this morning to acknowledge yet another anniversary of our great loss. I pray that you, mom and dad are together in that better place and are all happy and at peace once again. Cookie and I are ever mindful of the impact your life had on all who knew and loved you and we continue to recognize what your absence has cost our family. You were and are our greatest source of pride; a special treasure that God loaned us for too short a time. God's blessings on you as you rest in His heavenly reward knowing how much you are missed and loved.

XO Anita

Anita L. Culosi
sister

July 6, 2005

Sal and I went into DC yesterday to visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for the first time. We did a rubbing of your name as well as Bobby Ambrose name. We said a prayer for both of you and left flowers near your names. It is a tree lined memorial with adult lion sculptures at each entrance that are opposite lion cubs they are protecting. A very fitting symbol for the role that law officers assume in the performance of their duty. The inscription on the memorial wall reads "In valor, there is hope." I know that each name represented on those walls exemplified courage by just putting on his/her uniform and facing another day on the job. What very special human beings! I also went to the gift shop and purchased some items with NLEOM logos. Your nephew Chris was quick to put on a Tee shirt with the valor inscription and a memorial wrist band in your honor. Sal I will go to mass and communion on Wednesday in memory of your anniversary in heaven. Forty-four years and oh how I still wish it could have turned out differently. Know that you are always in our hearts, thoughts, memories and prayers. I love and miss you, my big brother. God bless you and keep watch over our families. XO Anita

Anita L Culosi
sister of Tpr. S.J. Embarrato eow 7/6/61

July 4, 2005

Sal,
Keep looking out for us here. We sure need you to. Thanks for all the help from above so far...Keep Up the ggod work....

Your Brother in Arms.....

June 5, 2005

I was reading another officers reflection when I came upon your name. Your sister has much love for you! It is nice to see her devotion to the cause after so many years. Fligh high Trooper! You will not be forgotten by your brothers and sisters in blue. Watch over us. God bless.

Police Officer. C
Western, CO

May 28, 2005

This is a message to Ms. Culosi-the fine sister of this Trooper. I read your reflection for a Phoenix officer killed recently. Your kind words, your concern for others and your moving reflections here for your brother honor his memory, his sacrifice and his profesion. After so many years-you feel the pain of his loss and I am sorry. Your brother would be/is proud of you. May God Bless your family.
May-12-2005

May 12, 2005

Rest in Peace Trooper Embarrato. We Salute you for your service, honor your bravery, and will never forget your life and sacrifice. You are 10-42 Sir!

Melissa Smock
Friend of Jake Laird EOW 8/18/04

March 30, 2005

Sal and I went to the 10th anniversary survivor's weekend in Albany to honor you on the same weekend as Sal's 40th West Point reunion. We visited the memorial wall at the state plaza and said a prayer for you and got a rubbing of your name from the wall. It was a very impressive tribute to all of you who gave your lives in performance of your duty. The suvivor families are a warm and welcoming group of people unfortunately bound together by our loss. The dedicated association who put the weekend together worked extremely hard to make the occasion not only one of remembrance for all troopers who gave their lives on the job but one of support and respect for the sacrifices made by their families. We all share the void of not having had each of you in our lives as we grew and our families expanded. I know how I would have loved to have my children and grandchildren, as well as Cookie's family, know you and have you as a role model and positive influence in their lives. Sal I miss you so much. I know how long it has been and although time deals with what cannot be changed the pain of not having you in our lives all these years is still heartbreaking to me. All my memories of you are loving. You really were one terrific guy. I have sons and so does Cookie and without being judgmental, ours don't come close to Mom's. I wish you could have been there for them. Your brother-in-laws are good men but you were the hero to Cookie and me. I went to Mass for your birthday and I offered my prayers and intentions for you. You are always in my heart and thoughts and I cherish my memories of you. We were proud to light a candle in your memory at the closing of the service on Sunday and God willing we will attend again next year. All my love, anita

anita l culosi
sister

October 7, 2004

It is an honor to leave a reflection for a man from our long grey line. You have been honored through our K-9 program and your name lives on through the companion of a friend of mine. May you watch over them in their years together.

Sgt Timothy Owens
NYSP - Troop T

March 7, 2004

Sal, some things never change - just like when I was a kid - I forgot to think before speaking or should I say writing. I neglected to mention that a fromer trooper by the name of Herb Miller got in touch with Cookie after reading about the Tarrytown ceremony in the Rockland Journal News. He said he served with you for about two years and felt badly that he didn't know about the ceremony until he read about it in the paper. He would have been there if only he knew. He too spoke of you in superlatives. He said everytime he passes the place on the thruway where the accident occured, he thinks of you and remembers what a great guy you were. I also forgot to mention that when I spoke of you on Monday, I mentioned that you went to Cardinal Hayes High School and lo and behold two Hayesmen introduced themselves saying that Hayes is still turning out troopers. They were happy to know that they had something in common with you. Actually there were three Hayes troopers, but I only met two. All the troopers who introduced themselves were fine young men, very genuine. The day was lovely, and the memorial very impressive. Everyone who spoke, did so sincerely. You even had a K9 patrol dog named in your honor. They didn't know if you had a nickname (even though we know Dad called you Sonny) so they named the German-shepherd "Ember," the first two syllables of our last name, but I really don't know how they are spelling it. He is a handsome dog. I neglected to find out the name of the trooper he may be assigned to but I'm hoping Ember will be deserving of your moniker and be an outstanding partner.
Missing you as much as ever! anita

anita l culosi

October 8, 2003

Sal, I hope you know how proud Cookie and I were to attend the memorial service to honor both you and Tpr. Ambrose at Tarrytown on Oct. 6. It was one of many for the Ambrose family as their son has been honored numerous times since his untimely passing at such a young age and in such a tragic way. For you to be included was, as your friend and fellow Tpr. Donald Pinto said, long over due. He spoke about your finest traits, your willingness to help others, your integrity, and honesty. He said you were likable, humble and the most intelligent man he ever met. Forty-two years later and that is still the impression you left as though it was yesterday. I tried to tell those troopers, who were so young and didn't know anything about you other than your accident, who you were as a person. I hope I did you some small justice in my recollection of days too long ago. I forgot to say what a amazing chess player you were; how you'd put up that punching bag in your room and would rhythmically punch it with your hands and elbows in a way that would have rivalled Stallone's Rocky character (you would have enjoyed the movie, the character was the underdog, the one you would always pull for). You even had something in common with Tpr. Ambrose besides the obvious, he lifted weights too. Sal, you are not only loved and carried in our thoughts and hearts, but you will always be remembered by the brotherhood of troopers who are yet to come. The ceremony gave us the opportunity to experience what you must have known when you went out for that job. They are a cut above! I continue to pray for you and now they have faces that I can include in those prayers. We will cherish our memories of you and miss you until we all meet again. You were and are the best of us. All my love. Anita

anita l. culosi (sister)

October 8, 2003