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I met Alan in 1975. We both worked for my brother who had a beauty supply business. I was the one to hire him, at age 16 he was my first hire. Alan was maybe 2 years older than me. We quickley became best of friends. Shortly after HS I moved out and got my own place and tried to get Alan to do the same. Its no fun living with mom in your 20s, at least not in 1978. Alan said he had to stay home and told me why. His father had left when they were little. He had 2 older brothers, as they got older they agreed that they would go to colledge one at a time while they took turns staying with, taking care of Mom, physically + finacialy, as she was not well. Only problem was it was ALWAYS Alans turn. As the others graduated and went on with thier lives ,Alan worked, lived at home, took care of Mom and the house, worked full time, joined the reserves and went to school at night and while doing all this he hunted and fished everything and kept the freezer full, his mom preparing all the game for them. I lived accross PGH, a crappy drive, but we saw and partied a couple weekends a month. I was about 30 and on my 3rd house 'big carreer' and Alan showed up and said he finally did it! he finished college,with a degree that give him his lifes dream, working to save the ecology and becoming a ranger, got a real car and 1st real job! He had found a woman who loved him and they were getting married! His 6 yr hitch was up in Oct. Alans life was about to begin. He was 31 or 32. Then the trouble w/Saddam started, we all begged him not to go- after all he had put his whole life on hold for everyone else, but Alan insisted on re-signing. He was deployed to a water treatment facilty-his college and job were all related to the enviroment and even had a job as a ranger waiting for him-but three weeks later all hell broke loose. I lost one of the best friends I ever had. I and all of his family and friends cried for months-as I am doing now.
Some people embellish about people after they die, but with Al there was no need. He was the type of man you were proud of and it made you feel proud to be with him! He was so much more than I am able to put into words for this tribute. I loved Alan, probably more than I loved my own brothers, I cry when I think about him. I'm not embarressed and I think of and talk to him often!
If your lucky you may have one or two truly great friends. I've been very lucky to have several more-you know, the kind you didn't see for 10 years and you pick it right back up again! Alan was truly a great fun and loving man, and am lucky for having been very close to him while he was here.
Love ya Al-talk to you soon.
BRIAN CECCHINI
Plum Creek Cemetery Plum, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA