It is weird that 19 years have passed.
John was a neat guy. Was able to speak seven languages well, get by in a lot more. Had a great heart, was willing to let you sleep on his couch (if it was open, often he was letting a homeless person have it) or a mat on the floor. He was supportive of civil rights, believed in second chances, and helping people.
He was off duty when the attacks happened, but went to help. He was last seen heading into tower one (after tower two fell) with a paramedic and firefighters to get a person reported to have fallen in the lobby and not able to walk when it fell.
John is a hero, but not because of how he died but because of how he lived.