Vincent M. Boland, Jr. Bench
Empty Sky: NJ State 9/11 Memorial
Queen Elizabeth II September 11 Memorial Garden
Conseleya 9/11 Memorial
Dewitt 9/11 Memorial
Montclair State University 9/11 Memorial
East Newark 9/11 Memorial
Fair Haven 9/11 Memorial
Freehold Township 9/11 Living Memorial Tree Grove
Vincent grew up in Ringwood, a small suburban neighborhood in New Jersey. As a teenager he would visit the city on different occasions, but his true love of New York became irreversible when he became a student at NYU. Vincent traveled many places and saw many things in his short 25 years, but he always carried New York in his heart. In June of 2000, he traveled to California to attend Stanford University to attain his masters and he thought he might stay awhile.
However, in June 2001, with his masters in hand and the demise of Silicon Valley, the great lure of New York again pulled him back home. He quickly secured a job with Marsh and McLennan on the 97th floor of Tower 1. He was a business analyst developing technology solutions. He had just started out on a wondrous life and career. He was a quiet person, humorous, a good friend, highly ethical, and extremely capable. The world lost a brilliant "star." Vincent will long be remembered by his family and friends for his irrepressible humor, his never ending friendship, his furrowed brow, his comical cynicism, and his angst with style. He was definitely a very remarkable and distinct individual. Once you knew him, he could not be forgotten.
And so our tribute to our son and brother Vinny does follow:
Ode to Vincent #2
"This one's for you" It is now six months since that faithful day
And they try to tell us that we will be ok.
But we're not so sure that they are right
Because you are gone and we have lost our light.
An angel way up high they say
You are always with us both night and day.
But we cannot hold you and hug you tight
And our hearts just ache all through the night.
Your life was lost to help us all
A "Freedom Angel" that's what you're called.
Your death was surely not in vain
Because freedom will win, over all this pain.
It will take time to see the light.
It will take time to be all right.
But in the end three thousand strong
Freedom will ring out loud and long.
And we must never forget the sacrifice you all have met.
Your lives for freedom that is true
Wrapped in the colors of red, white, and blue.
Each night a tear or two will fall
To remember why, you died for all.
Freedom, truth, love, and light
That's the reason we do fight.
So Vincent, now's the time to take
And raise the gauntlet high
To make us see what we must do
So that no more may die.
Good night Vincent.
Love, Mom, Dad, Erin and Greg
New York Times Portraits of Grief
Family and friends are learning a lot about Vincent Boland, who is missing from Marsh & McLennan at 1 World Trade Center.
"His friends are telling me that he was funny," said his mother, Joyce, a teacher and a nurse. "I didn't know that. At home, he was quiet. If you wanted to know something you had to ask him, you had to draw it out. He wasn't funny with his brother and sister."
On the other hand, his friend Kyle Mooney did not know that Mr. Boland was a member of Mensa, an organization for the highly intelligent. "I had no idea about that," Mr. Mooney said. "I'm not surprised because he was brilliant and could talk about anything in depth, even esoteric subjects. But Mensa was not something he talked about."
Among friends, Mr. Boland was known for his offbeat sense of humor; he was quick with a joke or cynical quip. Three years ago, after a friend was mugged on the subway, Mr. Boland decided that buses were safer. For six months, Mr. Mooney said, whenever anyone asked Mr. Boland how he was doing, he would say, "There are no worries on the bus."
Guess I knew all along He'd
Guess I knew all along He'd take His angels home for He loves them too much to let them stay. Guess I knew all along He'd take His angels home but I didn't know it was gonna be today. We love and miss You Vinny more than You will ever know.
Posted by Christina Wilkerson
I knew Vincent - I will never forget him.
I knew your son Vincent for only a short period of time. I was one of the people who graded his master's degree project when he was at Stanford. Vincent was a bright star that was just getting started in his career. When I heard that he passed away in the Trade Center, my heart was broken. I just want to pay my respects to Vincent and let you know I will never forget your son, his great personality and what happened to him on 9/11.
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