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BRAMA, September 14, 2002, 1:00am ET



Always in a hurry to help others, a 9/11 hero ran out of time to help himself
H. Krill


© HK/BRAMA
The family of 911 victim John Skala display a small portion of the array of medals honoring John's memory.
(l-r) Michael Skala (brother), Slawka Skala (mother), Irene Leshiw (sister).
The new exhibit at the Ukrainian Museum titled "SEPTEMBER 11th 2001 IN THE UKRAINIAN PRESS" includes memorial boards for two of the Ukrainian-American victims of 911. The exhibit features photographs, articles and editorials published in the Ukrainian American media, along with the HBO Documentary Film "In Memoriam: New York City 9-11-01." The exhibit will be on display through October 6. Visit the Ukrainian Museum website for more information.
The Ukrainian Museum
203 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10003
Tel: 212 228-0110
e-mail: info@ukrainianmuseum.org

His older brother was already a Passaic County policeman, but when John Skala registered at the Port Authority Police Academy his family was stunned. Johnny, or "Yash" as he was known, was attending college (NJIT) when he abruptly decided to go into law enforcement. Yash wasn't fazed when on the day of his first interview at the Port Authority in 1993 the World Trade Center saw its first bombing.

Upon completion of his training as a police officer, Yash doubled his workload by training as a paramedic. When he wasn't policing or saving lives, Yash was looking after his mom, shoveling snow for his neighbors, volunteering his time for the Special Olympics, or teaching a little boy at the Ukrainian American Youth Association (CYA) "oselia" (summer campgrounds) how to throw a softball.

His intense schedule didn't leave much time for socializing, yet Johnny always managed to find some time for friends, even if only to fit them in during a one-hour break between jobs. He shared a special relationship with his brother, Detective Michael Skala, because as Michael puts it, they were able to communicate on two levels: as brothers, and as brother police officers. They was a powerful bond between the brothers, one that one that allowed them to show affection for each other without embarrassment.

According to Michael and his sister Irene, Johnny was highly resourceful, well trained, and strong. That's why, when Johnny's unit was called to the World Trade Center, and when Michael learned that his brother was among the missing, he waited until midnight before telling their mother. Michael and his sister Irene figured that if anyone were going to survive in the wreckage of the Twin Towers, it would be Michael. They knew that Johnny had come in and out of the building several times helping others escape. Yash had "pulled rank" on a fellow police officer, taking his "Scotty Pack" breathing apparatus, saying his training as a paramedic better qualified him for the rescue mission. The best information they have been able to glean from the chaos that reigned that fateful morning was that Johnny was seen on the 30th floor doing a floor sweep when the South Tower fell. Of the 10 people from his unit that responded to the Port Authority call, only Yash did not return.

Irene has been spending much of the last year learning more about her brother Johnny than she ever knew. She had no idea that he had touched so many lives, or that he had done as many things as he did in his short 31 years on this earth. Not a day passes without someone coming up to the family to say how much they appreciated Johnny, how grateful they are for the help he gave them, how much he is missed. It is almost as if Johnny fit as many hours into the day to help others as he could because knew his life would be cut short.

Slawka Skala, Johnny's mother, takes solace in the pride that she has for her son, and the love she knew he had for her. The last time they saw each other, just two days before the tragedy, Johnny kissed his mother good-by and told her to take care of herself. Then he turned and kissed her a second time, saying, "You take care of yourself, okay?" After getting into his car, Johnny called his mother over to the car and kissed her yet a third time, and repeated that she should be careful. At the time, Mrs. Skala thought nothing of it, but now, as Irene puts it, "Who knows, … who knows?

The number of services and awards ceremonies that the Skala family has attended over the last year has been exhaustive. Among the most treasured awards, and there have been many over the past year, are an Iron Cross given to them by CYA and the Medal of Valor - the highest award given to police officers. Other items awarded range from the Federal down to local governments, in addition to many organizations that wanted to honor John Skala's memory. All of the memorials have been a source of strength as well as extremely demanding, both emotionally and physically. At each event, they are reminded of their brother's courage. But "the hurt, and the anger, and the sadness" resurfaces with each reminder of how Johnny died.

One of Johnny Skala's colleagues at the Lincoln Tunnel location described him in this way: "Johnny would give you the shirt off his back, and then he would take you to the store and buy you a pair of pants and shoes to go along with it." And, says Irene, "That's how Johnny was."

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