Obama shares fist bump with boy, 10
President Obama meets 10-year-old Christopher Cannizzaro, who lost his father, NYC firefighter Brian Cannizzaro, on 9/11. (May 5, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa
The widow of a 9/11 firefighter watched proudly Thursday as her 10-year-old son, Christopher Cannizzaro, shared a fist bump with President Barack Obama.
Christopher was just a baby when his dad, Brian Cannizzaro of Staten Island, died in the terrorist attack. Thursday, he accompanied his mom to the president's private meeting with Sept. 11 families at Ground Zero.
"I am so happy that my son is able to make this connection," said Jackie Cannizzaro-Harkins. "He didn't know his dad; he was only ten and a half months when 9/11 happened."
She said of Obama, "He was just very gracious, very nice. He fist-bumped Christopher, which was very cool and it was just a very amazing moment."
Christopher said he gave Obama a prayer card of his father "because I wanted to thank him for what he did."
Cannizzaro-Harkins said she too voiced gratitude to the president for ordering the mission that killed Osama bin Laden.
"I said 'thank you, thank you for seeing this through.' We were just honored to be with him and share this moment," she said.
What you need to know about Gov. Hochul's proposed $50M Jamaica station redesign NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland and Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo talk to commuters and experts about what a revamped Jamaica station would mean.
What you need to know about Gov. Hochul's proposed $50M Jamaica station redesign NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland and Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo talk to commuters and experts about what a revamped Jamaica station would mean.
