I do not live in the five boroughs or on the Island or Upstate. I may live hundred or thousands of miles away. Or I may live just over the GW Bridge. But I am a New Yorker

I am a New Yorker. Whatever took me out of New York business, family or hating the cold did not take New York out of me. My accent may have faded and my pace may have slowed But, I am a New Yorker.

I am a New Yorker. I was raised on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Plaza. The Mets or the Yankees (Dodgers or Giants), Jones Beach or Rye Beach or one of the beaches on the sound (Orchard Beach). I know that "THE END" means Montauk. Because I am a New Yorker.

I am a New Yorker. When I go on vacation I never look up, skyscrapers are something I take for granted. The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are part of me. Taxis and noise and subways and "get outa heah" don't rattle me. Because I am a New Yorker.

I am a New Yorker. I was raised on cultural diversity before it was politically correct. I eat Greek food and Italian food, Jewish and Middle Eastern food and Chinese food. I don't get mad when people speak other languages in my presence. Because my relative got to this country via Ellis Island and chose to stay. They were New Yorkers.

I am a New Yorker. People who have never been to New York have misunderstood me,

My friends and family work in the industries, professions and businesses that benefit all Americans! My firefighters died trying to save Americans and non-Americans. Because they were New Yorkers.

I am a New Yorker. I feel the pain of my fellow New Yorkers. I mourn the loss of my beautiful city. I feel the dread that New York will never the same. But them I remember: I am a New Yorker.

And New Yorkers have:

Tenacity, strength and courage way above the norm. Compassion and caring for our fellow citizens. Love and price in our city, in our state, in our country. Intelligence, experience and education par excellence. Ability, dedication and energy above and beyond. Faith - no matter what religion we practice.

Terrorists hit America in its heart. But America's heart still beats strong. Demolish the steel in our buildings, but it doesn't touch the steel in our souls. Hit us in the pocketbook, but we'll parlay what we have left into a fortune. End innocent lives leaving widows and orphans, but we'll take care of them. Because they are New Yorkers.

Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are. There are New Yorkers in every state and every city in this nation. We will not abandon our city. We will not abandon our brothers and sisters. We will not abandon the beauty, creativity and diversity that New York represents. Because we are New Yorkers.

And we are proud to be New Yorkers. Remember the WTC - 9/11/01.