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MOHEGAN LAKE, N.Y. -- For Nik Dedvukaj, the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center is just one of the many reminders of the tragic day his older brother, Simon Marash Dedvukaj, became one of 111 innocent victims from Westchester County to lose his life.
Simon Dedvukaj, 26, who lived in Mohegan Lake, worked as a janitorial foreman for ABM Industries in the North Tower at the World Trade Center between the 93rd and 95th floors. Close to celebrating his first wedding anniversary, Simon Devukaj's remains were found at two different times, causing his close-knit Albanian family to hold two burials at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
"It's not just the 10th anniversary. We have the anniversary of when we buried the first remains, then the burial of the second remains. His birthday has the same effect," Nik Dedvukaj said. "As much as it's our loss, it's the country's loss as well. Having faith in God helps you get through it. You need faith to survive."
Nik Dedvukaj said he never looked at the terrorist attacks simply as "me and my brother being dead" but admitted he had a difficult time dealing with the news of Osama bin Laden being killed.
"When that happened I didn't know how to feel," he said. "For the last 10 years, I had someone to hate. It was much more than one person that made this happen. He was just the figure we saw, but it opened up a lot of wounds for us. You had all this hurt bottled up, and then it came out. I don't think Osama bin Laden dying heals it."
With a group of about 30 family and friends, Nik Dedvukaj will be heading to Ground Zero Sunday, where he will be one of the speakers reading the names of the more than 3,000 who perished in Manhattan and on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. In the evening, he hopes to take part in the ceremonies in Valhalla at the county's memorial, known as The Rising.
"I'm not going to forget and just sit around and put Sunday football on. I want to be able to put everything aside and be with others that need support," he said. "10 years is a long time, but 10 years seems like yesterday."
In memory of his brother, Nik Dedvukaj and his family started The Simon M. Dedvukaj Foundation, with all funds raised devoted to educational, religious and charitable purposes directed toward perpetuating Albanian culture, history and beliefs.
Besides donating to local charities, Little Leagues and soccer teams, the foundation gives a $500 scholarship annually to a graduating high school senior of Albanian descent. Schools that have received scholarships in the past include Lakeland, Yorktown, Roosevelt, Maria Regina, Stepinac and Saint Eugene.
"Simon was a kind, community oriented person. Anything to do with the church he gave his time," Nik Dedvukaj said. "Most of the money comes from family and friends and we have money that we want to get rid of. We're not too strict. Kids just have to write an essay. I think it's definitely something he would have liked since growing up he was always doing something with education."
Donations can be sent to: The Simon M. Dedvukaj Foundation, PO Box 37, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. Information can be found at www.smdf.com or by calling (914) 643-6431.
How do you plan to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11? Do you know anyone or any families that were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks? Let us know below or on Facebook.
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