Identification Card, Recovered
- Description
- Recovered World Trade Center identification card issued to Abraham J. Zelmanowitz at Empire BlueCross BlueShield. The card shows significant damage to the upper left corner, a part of which is missing. The plastic is covered in deep scratch marks, and the inner wire framework is exposed. The photo on the card is visible but distorted.
- Historical Notes
- Native New Yorker Abraham Zelmanowitz lived in Brooklyn with his brother and his brother’s family. Abraham played chess and loved music, with favorites ranging from opera to the Beatles. He worked at Empire BlueCross BlueShield as a computer programmer on the North Tower’s 27th floor along with his wheelchair-bound friend, Edward Beyea. On September 11, Abraham stayed with Edward. Abraham was 55 years old.
Curator's Comment
Abraham Zelmanowitz and Edward Frank Beyea had been good friends for many years. They enjoyed smoking cigars and going out to dinner, often in the company of Beyea’s personal aide, Irma Fuller.
On September 11, when workers at Empire BlueCross BlueShield began to evacuate, Zelmanowitz stayed with Beyea, refusing to leave his side until professional emergency responders could arrive. Irma Fuller was at work with Beyea that morning, but at Zelmanowitz’s insistence she hurried downstairs to the building’s lobby with the directive to inform rescue personnel that Beyea was awaiting assistance.
Zelmanowitz and Beyea were assisted by FDNY Captain William Francis Burke, Jr., of Engine Company 21, who had responded to the North Tower. Realizing the South Tower had collapsed, Burke urged his men to evacuate, but he stayed behind with Beyea and Zelmanowitz, helping them descend to the 21st floor.
Before they died, the men were able to contact loved ones. Burke would be the only member of his firehouse to perish on September 11.
On September 11, when workers at Empire BlueCross BlueShield began to evacuate, Zelmanowitz stayed with Beyea, refusing to leave his side until professional emergency responders could arrive. Irma Fuller was at work with Beyea that morning, but at Zelmanowitz’s insistence she hurried downstairs to the building’s lobby with the directive to inform rescue personnel that Beyea was awaiting assistance.
Zelmanowitz and Beyea were assisted by FDNY Captain William Francis Burke, Jr., of Engine Company 21, who had responded to the North Tower. Realizing the South Tower had collapsed, Burke urged his men to evacuate, but he stayed behind with Beyea and Zelmanowitz, helping them descend to the 21st floor.
Before they died, the men were able to contact loved ones. Burke would be the only member of his firehouse to perish on September 11.
- Accession Number: C.2011.837.1
- Dimensions: 2.5 in X 3 in X 0.125 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 6.35 cm X 7.62 cm X 0.3175 cm
- Source: Jack and Evelyn Zelmanowitz
- Credit Line: Gift of Jack and Evelyn Zelmanowitz in loving memory of Abe Zelmanowitz
All materials made publicly available by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum on this site are intended for research and educational use only. Users may need to obtain other permissions for their intended use(s) and are responsible for determining copyright status and securing these permissions.
To inquire about copyrights and reproductions, contact: xxx@911memorial.org
