If you’ve ever seen the opening sequence of the movie Zero Dark Thirty, then you’ve heard my college friend Melissa Doi’s beautiful voice. I still haven’t seen the movie, but I remember well the first time I heard the recording used in that movie of Melissa’s actual 9-1-1 call to emergency services from the 83rd floor of the World Trade Center’s South Tower on Sept. 11, 2001.
Melissa’s call was declassified and used as evidence during the trial of the only criminal to be prosecuted as a result of the attacks. When I first heard that now-famous 9-1-1 call on the radio news, I was driving in my car. I recognized the caller’s voice immediately and pulled over, crying I as I listened to my friend’s audible suffering. Since then, I almost never listen to the news anymore while I’m at the wheel.
Throughout our college years together, I often heard Melissa’s deep and melodious voice. Sometimes, she was a voice for others, as she “didn’t tolerate disrespect towards anyone”. She loved to sing and dance. She was a devoted daughter, beloved cousin and dear friend. She’d had a whole life ahead of her back in 2001.
No day shall erase you from the memory of time.
Virgil
This year on September 11th, I’ll be back in the place where I met Melissa, moving my son in for his first year at Northwestern University. I’m excited for him, and I’ll be happy to be back on campus, but I’ll also be thinking about Melissa and the 3,000-plus others whose lives were senselessly and violently ended on that fateful day 22 years ago.
Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.”
President Barack Obama, on 9/11/22
Melissa Doi’s name panel S-46, South Pool, at the 9-11 Memorial New York.
Photo credit: Sajeewashaluka – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23126413
Language of Friendship 
God bless you, Melissa Doi. You are gone, but not forgotten ❤️
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My cousin was on my mind deep today and ran I across this. Thank you Sara for your beautiful words. She is missed by her family and had so much more to give this world♡
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Thanks for being in touch, Michelle. I agree, she had so much more to give. She was a beautiful soul, and I’m so sorry for your loss. She is remembered with fondness by so many.
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