Although I never knew Mark, I have been praying regularly for his family for the last four years. I am a Presbyterian pastor and a PhD student at the University of Pittsburgh. On the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, I attended a memorial ceremony at Pitt, which included a field of flags: one for each person who died that day. At the end of the ceremony we were invited to take flags home with us. I selected a flag with Mark’s name on it, because he and I are the same age. I’ve displayed the flag in my church office ever since. Today I am leaving to participate in a motorcycle ride in remembrance of the victims of 9/11. I will fly his flag on my bike for the ride.

Dear cousin, forever missed. Always in our hearts <3.

Our "shining star" has been taken from us. My nephew, my godson, I'll never let you go. Forever in my heart.