PROJECT 2996: REMEMBERS - CHARLES WILSON MAGEE

Project 2996 Remembering the victims of 9/11/01

Charles Wilson Magee 1950 – 2001

Charlie Wilson woke on Tuesday- September 11, 2001 like he had on previous days, going to a job he enjoyed. Chief engineer for the World Trade Center complex. Mr. Magee knew how things worked. He oversaw the hundreds of miles of ventilation ducts, pipes and electric wires of the complex — the arteries of what amounted to a small city.

Working with many people he liked, young and old. Training those that needed it, something he also enjoyed. He was a tie wearing supervisor who often rolled up his sleeves and worked with those he supervised. His blue collar background was a part of who he was, and proud of it. A loyal member of his union he was well liked by all of those he worked with. That fateful morning he had been talking to his friend Mike, whose son was starting a job as a helper a few days later.

Working at the twin towers was a proud accomplishment. His niece even remembers him taking her to the top even before the safety fences were put into place to enjoy the view of the city. A great view to be sure. New York, Gotham, by what ever name you call it, one of the great cities of the United States. Like our country a melting pot filled with people from all over the world, and Charlie Magee worked at one of it’s most visible landmarks, one of the many men & women that took care of those buildings. A building with a twin right next to it.

The twin towers of New York housed a very diverse work force. Filled with many businesses that called them home. He knew a great many of them and the people that worked in the many offices. They in turn knew him, and would often stop and talk to him. Busy or not Charlie would take a few minutes to chat and return back to work.

While he did enjoy his work he also enjoyed life. He was a pilot and loved to fly, and jump out of those planes too. Yes he was a skydiver too. Just another example of his nervy disposition. Like during a flight to the Grand Canyon, his wife of 13 yrs, Janet Wexler-Magee, relates that the radio died and gauges went out. Charlie did not panic… quickly diagnosing the problem as a power loss, and was able to set down at a local airfield. “He was like that,” she said.

He also loved motorcycles. He loved to ride. On many occasions taking his niece Carolyn along. Something she remembers very fondly. “He always helped me with my schoolwork,” she recalled, “Took me for rides on his motorcycle. He always took me to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parades in New York.” Like the rest of his family she will miss him greatly.

These words are often repeated when people talk about him. Words like Generous, friendly, helpful, kind and also selfless. An everyman, a regular guy that anyone would be proud to call friend.

Now I must admit that I did not know Mr. Charles Wilson Magee. Before Project 2996 I had no idea who this man was. Like many of us he and the many others killed that day were faceless victims of a horrendous national tragedy. When I agreed to participate I didn’t know what to write about this man. I had very little to go on, but what I did read made me feel I knew him. He was someone I think I would’ve liked and even been friends with.

I have no doubt his family still misses him. My goal is to let you know he was not just some faceless, nameless victim. He lived his life like we all want to live. With gusto! Enjoying our job, AND our family & friends.

After this fateful day the theme from President Bush was “Never Forget”. While some may have forgotten WE were attacked by terrorists that day, I have not. I have joined Project 2996. Our goal is to make sure people “NEVER FORGET”!. Never forget the PEOPLE that were killed. They were someone’s Dad, Mother, Brother, Sister. Their Grandma or Grandpa, Aunt, Uncle or cousin. They were SOMEBODY!! And we should not forget them, neither should you.

Charles Wilson Magee was a good man who by a stroke of fate became what the press considers "collateral damage". Project 2996 wants to change that. Remember this man and the many others who died this day 8 years ago. This man who gave of his time freely to those he could help. Let’s help Charlie and his family and the families of the others by keeping them alive in our memories by passing along this memorial.

There is an old Cherokee saying: When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced... Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.

Charlie Magee did that, he lived his life as a good man, a good person. Those are not just my words, but the memories of his wife, niece, and countless friends. The people who knew him best!

“To a beautiful garden our Friend has gone to the land of perfect rest.
His work is done and the setting sun has sealed his life long quest.
He has left this earthly garden for a home beyond the sea.
But though he is gone, he still lives on in the garden of our memory."

I’ll close by saying it was truly my honor to memorialize Charlie Magee. I have come away feeling this man deserves to be remembered. I hope his family finds peace and the spirit of Mr. Magee finds rest. My sincerest wish is this does him justice and helps you remember this remarkable individual. Join all of us at Project 2996 as we,

NEVER FORGET THE VICTIMS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.
May God bless them and keep them safe in the cradle of his loving arms.


Michael Ark Retherford
Cincinnati, Ohio
&
John Q. Citizen- The Regular Guy Blog

Click Here for more 9/11 Tributes at Project 2996

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Health Care Thoughts from Regular People written by THE REGULAR GUY

Sorry gang, like congress I took a break to recharge my batteries. Congress is due back next week, and it’s a shame they don’t stay out the rest of the year.

This health care debate has gotten way out of hand. Some people have totally stirred up the right with a bit of hyperbole and those on the left have poured gasoline on the fire by name calling those citizens that are against this monetary behemoth and wordy bill. Ignoring the FACT it is filled with legalese non-sense that even those that WROTE the damn thing admit they can’t understand. Was it Charlie Wrangle that said, (paraphrase) “Read it? I would need a team of lawyers and a few weeks.” Even noted attorney & talk show pundit Greta Van Sustern said that the bill should have been written in plainer English and that it very well could have been. The pompous nature of those we elected to congress is to blame, AND the fact it was done on purpose because they knew that ambiguity would send it to the courts where the Democrat writers new they had a better chance of having interpreted their way. Several congressmen admitted as much on Greta. (the ambiguity. Court comment mine.)

Let’s dive right in shall we? I am not going to tell you I have read all of this monstrosity, I haven’t. I’ve read maybe half, and other parts that have been brought up. I noted them and read them. I would say damn near 90% of what has been brought up by people in the town hall meetings is true. Of the 10% about 5% of that sure sounds like it leans to the hyperbolic statements. These poor democrat congressmen that have these town hall meetings are so unarmed, mainly because they have NOT read the bill, and the President’s absolutely abysmal defense and non existent knowledge of what is ACTUALLY in it.

The mainstream cheerleaders (press) calling people tea-baggers, really pisses me off. This is a totally derogatory term. Meaning: to drag ones scrotum over the face of someone else male or female. People need to know this. Started by Hollywood types (who obviously are familiar with this move.) in their comments to defend BHO & health Care (HC). For the mainstream media to continue to allow this term to be used is actually criminal and editorial laziness. Like Sarah Palin the media just can’t understand those outside the DC beltway and inside the parentheses (America inside the coasts), commonly called by them, “fly-over country” mainly because they never set foot there unless covering those poor bastards affected by hurricanes or tornados.

Now HC we all agree needs some tweaking, and prices need to come down these are facts. But government controlled HC? I think not. Insurance companies are not infallible. They refused to allow me to go to an in house therapy program when I had a stroke. Even after 2 doctors and a neurologist suggested it as the best option for my recovery. So reform is necessary. But govt run? Nope.

Govt run ANYTHING is filled w/corruption and fraud, that is a FACT. A veteran friend complained and they told him it cost too much to fight/correct. Riiiight. Like let me take a shit and then wipe my ass. (sorry) Talking with some friends right/left we feel we can come up with a few suggestions that make sense BEFORE we jump off onto the prohibitively expensive public option. Oh, first let me mention that our Pres. BHO said “We are broke.” And yet wants to spend ANOTHER trillion or two dollars on entitlement program. We know govt estimates are ALWAYS OFF, ALWAYS WAY TOO LOW!!! ALWAYS!!
So why are we suppose to believe him now?? What has changed? Oh I know, we are CUTTING 5billion dollars from MEDICARE to save money. I thought medicare was to save seniors? Obamacare to sacrifice seniors for uninsured well to do healthy youngsters, and ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!! That is not hyperbole but FACT!

Now let’s continue… portability and pre-existing conditions is an easy fix… check! Wait! Portability if job lost is not cheap problem is COBRA, by the time you get the notice you are 3mo behind & that’s just to get current. If you don’t have a job that’s a big cost. Give you that bill a week or 2 after layoff & its more affordable.

Insurance costs… Biggest obstacle is of course crossing state lines. Why? For one thing it would obviously cause prices to drop, just from the competition factor alone. My friends and I agree, and we are working men & women. Hmmm, I think I’ve just hit on something congress people haven’t got a clue about. REAL WORK. Those of us in the workforce know the actual economics of the workplace. People in congress have EVERYTHING GIVEN to them FREE of charge. There’s no co-pay for HC or scripts. They get a GREAT BIG FAT pension after ONLY 1 TERM. (these should stop ASAP! retroactively) They forget how things work and have a very skewed sense of the way things work. BHO has NEVER ran a business is clueless in that world, as are most of his advisors. Being consultants and high priced attorneys don’t mean shit to people like you & I. Regular people. We understand the whole concept of competition.

So far we have taken care of a few of the major concerns and painlessly to boot. Now here is where the govt comes in. CRACK DOWN on fraud in the system. Medicare & Veterans programs. Start prosecuting! Cut down on fraud and that alone could lower costs even more. Waste… such as govt bureaucracy. Red tape. Don’t need 5-10 offices to do what a fully staffed main office could do. Use 1/3 the staff or less.

Illegal immigrants are NOT citizens, NOT entitled to welfare, to vote, or ANY other govt assist programs. They should be deported in all honesty. We still need to take care of those less fortunate and we do. But illegal’s need to be dealt with, no matter what Geraldo says. (future article) Another BIG answer and solution… - the economy. Get people back to work and a lot of this will plainly solve itself. Tax, tax, tax, tax, tax, tax, that is all I hear & have heard. So far hasn’t worked. Let’s try cutting taxes and getting people BACK to work. Incentivise those with the capital to spend to hire more create more. Puts us back on a path to REAL recovery. Less people unemployed, more people insured & working, fueling the what? Tax base & economy. Increments! Slowly, then we can solve problems that crop up TOGETHER in a real BIPARTISAN way. Something this guy promised but has not delivered, not even close. Then we can concentrate on this godforsaken deficit.

My view from the cheap seats.
John Q. Citizen
The Regular Guy

What say you?