In Memory of Melissa Vincent

Rest in peace, Mellisa. x

*** Posted by Petra on 2010-06-23 ***

Thinking of Melissa today on her birthday.

*** Posted by Lisa Sprague on 2009-10-24 ***

Melissa, you are truly missed!

*** Posted by Kelly Englich on 2009-09-12 ***

Thinking of Melissa on this day! Love in Delta Zeta~ forever in our hearts Melissa!

*** Posted by Joanna (Van Arnam) Andrews on 2009-09-11 ***

Michelle was one of the first girls I met in college at SUNY-Oswego. We lived in the same dorm (Scales) and became friends. She was a sweetheart and a great person. R.I.P Melissa and my thoughts and prayers are with you always.

*** Posted by Rich Rivera on 2009-09-11 ***

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Vincent and family,

My thoughts are with you today on 9/11/09. I can still see Melissa's smiling face today, and I remember her often. I will never forget her. She is an angel, and I'm sure she is looking down on us, remembering the good times and the laughs.

All our love,
Tyna Kilbourne (Michele's sister) and family

*** Posted by Tyna Kilbourne on 2009-09-11 ***

Dear Vincent family,

I am sitting here thinking of Melissa as I have every year, especially on this terrible anniversary. She and I were in the same sorority in college. Melissa was a wonderful woman. She had a way of lighting up the room and making everyone smile. I'm sure that she is watching over you all with her wonderful smile.

May God bless you,
Kristin

*** Posted by Kristin on 2009-09-11 ***

Thinking of my dear friend, Mel!

*** Posted by Joy Russell on 2009-09-11 ***

I am thinking of Melissa as always on this day.

*** Posted by Lisa Sprague on 2009-09-11 ***

I remember seeing a news reporter interview Melissa's father right after 9/11. At that time no one knew if she was still alive. I didn't know her, obviously, but she has come to my mind from time to time over the years. I hope her family has found some peace. I don't say that casually. I truly hope they have found peace.

*** Posted by Rae on 2009-04-24 ***

Dear Vincent Family:

Just as you want Melissa to be happy and at peace where she is now, Melissa would most assuredly want you to be happy and at peace here on earth until the day you meet again for eternity. When you remember her, remember the fun and laughs. I'll bet there are lots of those.

All my love,
Judy

*** Posted by Judy on 2009-03-24 ***

Another year has passed, yet I can still hear your voice and see your smile as if it was just yesterday. Melissa and I were in the same sorority at SUNY Oswego. Melissa, I will never forget you - your sense of style, your caring nature, your sense of humor and that amazing voice. To Melissa's family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

*** Posted by Beth Garback on 2008-09-11 ***

Melissa will always be in my thoughts on this day.

*** Posted by Allan on 2008-09-11 ***

Another year gone by, and I still see you at dance class, laughing and smiling, and remembering almost missing my entry in the Nutcracker as a Russian Doll helping you in the back getting changed in to the Chinese Doll :-) What a laugh we had, but I will never forget your smile!

*** Posted by Jennifer Scott on 2008-09-11 ***

Mrs. Vincent,

I am thinking of Melissa as always at this time.

Lisa

*** Posted by Lisa Sprague on 2008-09-10 ***

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Vincent,

I have wanted to write to you for some time now but just haven't been able to. I was friends with Melissa as a child when we both were in Elaine Zalacca's ballet class together. I can't remember now how old we must have been, but we were in the Nutcracker together, and I remember the Christmas she got a horse as a present when you lived in LeRoy. We used to share rides to ballet class together. I am so profoundly sorry for your loss. We are the same age, and it has always hit so close to home what happened. Melissa and I did not stay in touch after she went on to Notre Dame, but my mother still has a picture up in her house when we danced the Tarantella, and it was in the newspaper. I now have two children of my own and could not imagine what you have gone through. Melissa was a good friend when we were kids, and I always wished we'd stayed in touch. She must have been needed for a higher purpose, and that is why she was taken so young. She and your family will always be in my heart.

*** Posted by Amy (Bell) Wallace on 2008-04-18 ***

Buongiorno Mia Principessa,

Happy Birthday, Honey. October 24 ... the most profoundly happy day in our lives; nothing has or ever will recapture the pure bliss we felt on that day. I vividly remember holding you for the first time ... unable to believe that I had given birth to such a beautifully perfect little girl. I remember how you wrapped your tiny fingers around my finger. There are no words to describe the immense love and joy I felt for you as I held you in my arms.... I continue to love you with every fiber of my being.

Yesterday Carrie picked Matthew up at the airport. He came home to celebrate your birthday, as he has done every year since you left us. Tomorrow we will have your favorite cake, white cake with white frosting, and blow out 36 candles (one for good luck), while each of us will be making a wish for the exact same thing ... a wish that can't possibly come true.

Melissa ... I miss you with each breath I take; I long for you every second of every day. I can only look forward to the day when you can blow out your own candles, and when we will once again celebrate your birthday together....

Eternal love,
Mom

*** Posted by Lucille Vincent on 2007-10-24 ***

I have been looking at the videos of 9/11 and have herd your phone call. This was terrible. People dying so young, not living their life for some sick person. I did not know anybody who lives in America, but R.I.P....

Showing my respect,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

*** Posted by zoey on 2007-10-02 ***

Dear Vincent family,

I'm sure my name caught your eye as did Melissa's caught mine. I don't know if we are blood related, but we do share a name. I will always think of her when I think of that tragic day.

God bless you,
Melissa (Columbus, OH)

*** Posted by Melissa A. Vincent on 2007-10-01 ***

My Friends,

I wanted you to know that today my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, as you pause to remember Melissa and the joy she brought into your lives. You are not alone in remembering your loss. My love to you.

*** Posted by Wayne Brasco on 2007-09-11 ***

My thoughts and Prayers are always with you!

Love,
Amber Coolbeth from Milton, VT

*** Posted by Amber Coolbeth on 2007-01-10 ***

My thoughts and prayers are always with you.

*** Posted by Donna Musshafen Kettle on 2006-09-12 ***

"Melissa Beautiful" as she was known to me is a friend of mine from college. We were in the same sorority. She has the most amazing voice and often sang at our ceremonies. I can still hear her singing "The Rose at the Cliffs." My thoughts are with your family today, Melissa.

*** Posted by Jill on 2006-09-11 ***

As former Hoboken residents, we send our love and prayers to Melissa, her family and all those who knew her.

*** Posted by The Smyth Family on 2006-09-11 ***

Dear Vincent Family,

May the memory of your beautiful daughter Melissa never fade in the hearts and minds of all Americans.

I never had the privaledge of meeting your daughter, but I honor her memory each and every day that has passed since the attack on the World Trade Center.

My prayers to you on the anniversary of that horrific day.

Sincerely,
Mai Armstrong
New York City
September 11, 2006

*** Posted by Mai Armstrong on 2006-09-11 ***

I saw Melissa's "missing" photo shortly after the attack, in the Path train station. It was taped up to the wall...alone. I saw her father interviewed on tv often, afterwards... asking if anyone had seen her.

I was deeply touched by his love for her. Thanks, Mr. Vincent for providing a beacon of Light in the darkness.

*** Posted by Lee from Hoboken on 2006-09-11 ***

Dear Mr. Vincent:

I hope some day that you read this, as I have wished for over three and a half years that I would one day be able to share this with you.

My company I worked for back in 2001 transferred me to their Manhattan office, just a block away from the WTC, one week before 9/11.  I didn't know anyone except my coworkers, and was alone in the office that day.  Because I didn't have anyone to share the experience with, I struggled for a long time with the terrible things I witnessed.

In the days following, I spent a lot of time holed up in my room watching the news coverage on TV.  A few times I ventured out and walked around Hoboken.  The posters with Melissa's picture grabbed my attention, and I saw you on TV.  It seemed that you found every news camera, and put yourself in front of it to try to find Melissa.  For some reason, your daughter became the person who represented that tragedy for me, the one who made it real, and helped in a grieving process where I had no one specific to grieve for.  I read as much as I could about your daughter, and from what I learned, I feel she was the type of person I would have, could have, become friends with.  For some reason, she was the one who unlocked the door to healing from the nightmares that followed.

I know my experience, and the nightmares that followed, pale in comparison to the grief that day has caused you, and there is no way anyone can honestly tell you, “I know how you feel.”  I just wanted to thank you, and to let you know how much your daughter meant to someone who had never met her.

I wish you, and your family, peace.
With the highest regards,
Jennifer Navarrete

*** Posted by JENNIFER NAVARRETE on 2005-04-15 ***

my thoughts and prayers are with you and this wonderful brave person!

*** Posted by lindsey on 2004-04-25 ***