“2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 911.

Today I join 2,996 volunteer bloggers and pay tribute to the victims of 911. Tomorrow marks the fifth anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. I would just like to say what an honor it is to be participating in the 2996 Project to honor the victims of September 11th.

I Remember Michael Allen Noeth

Today I pay tribute to 2nd class Navy Petty Officer Michael Allen Noeth whose friends and family all described him as kind, caring man with a peaceful nature about him.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Michael’s family.

On that dreadful day five years ago, thirty year old Michael Allen Noeth of Jackson Heights, N.Y who worked at the Pentagon as a Navy illustrator and draftsman was killed while on duty.

According to Michael’s Grandmother, Michael had two loves, his art and the Navy. Michael had joined the Navy in 1994 as a deck seaman, because he wasn’t making any money as an artist.

A news article in the Los Angeles Times reported that “Michael was working on portraits of all the chiefs of naval operations throughout U.S. history, a Navy spokesman said. The paintings were to hang in the Pentagon, where Noeth was stationed. Noeth, who took art classes at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, joined the Navy in 1994 as a deck seaman to earn money. At the time, Noeth was assigned to the USS Wasp and had just had his first art exhibition–at the Montserrat Art Gallery in New York City. “I was so nervous about attending the show in New York,” Noeth told a Navy public affairs officer. He ended up selling five paintings. “

Michael’s Grandma, Muiel Kuhn said, “Michael’s kindness, sensitivity, integrity and total honesty will forever be a constant source of pride for me. Michael was primarily a master artist having completed in addition to his regular duty three of the 27 portraits for which he was awarded a commission by the Naval Art Center. These portraits will hang in the Navy area of the Pentagon. He truly loved being ”a Navy man” wore his uniform with considerable pride. A Draftsman/Illustrator, Surface Warfare Specialist, Michael was the recipient of the distinguished Joint Service Achievement Medal. He was a ”plank owner” of the USS Russell, served as well on the USS Wasp. Michaela lifetime member of the world renowned Art Students League earned his Illustration-Fine Arts Degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Above all else Michael must be remembered for his outstanding humanity as a decent man.”

Michael’s Mother said, “Your artistic legacy will long light the world. You found the secret. You left us wanting more.”

Michael’s memory will live on forever through his art. On the fifth year anniversary of September 11, 2001, I will be taking a moment of silence to remember the life of a man who was loved and admired by all that new him. I will be remembering Navy Petty officer and artist Michael Allen Noeth. I hope you will take a moment to pay tribute to not only Michael, but to the many lives lost on that tragic day.

Let us not forget those who died and the families left to live life without them. We shall remember the day the world cried. We shall remember a day that the whole world mourned together. We shall remember September 11th as more than just a number thanks to the 9/11 tribute started by D.Challener Roe.

To read the other tributes that are part of the 2996 project, please go to the list of 2,996 Participants.

Special thanks to the New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times which were both wonderful sources of information for this tribute.

Rose DesRochers

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