Michael Collarone's mission: Honoring 9/11 victims on their birthdays

NEW YORK CITY (PIX 11) -- Twenty-three years after tragedy struck our city on 9/11, a local man is making sure the victims continue to be remembered on their birthdays by donating hundreds of white roses to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum as part of a special program.

Nearly 3,000 names are etched onto the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s twin reflecting pools as a powerful reminder of the lives lost on that fateful day in 2001.

Each morning, amid the moments of silence and remembrance, a gesture of love is made as pristine white roses are gently placed on the engraved names of those who would be celebrating their birthdays. 

Michael Collarone, also known as Mikey Flowers, is the one who supplies them. He is the owner of the floral business, Floratech. He carefully selects the most perfect blooms from his collection, donating about a hundred white roses to the memorial every week.

“Since I was involved in the crisis of 9/11, I felt that it was only an honor and a pleasure to have the opportunity to donate them, and I told them I could never charge for something like that,” Collarone said.

For Collarone, the roses are more than just flowers, but a personal tribute. As someone who witnessed the 9/11 attacks, he pours his own memories and emotions into each selection.

“It makes you feel like a superhero. I mean, whatever anger, and whatever pain and suffering that maybe I have suffered from seeing both planes come in, the people jumping, it sort of relieves the anxiety, you know? It’s comforting,” he said. 

Overseeing this solemn act of honor is Chris Kelly, who works with a team at the memorial to place each rose with care and respect.

“I’m fortunate that I get to feel connected to them in some way -- to have kind of a hand in their direct remembrance, and it’s a little corny, but every now and then I will do a little silent 'happy birthday' when I place the rose out,” said Kelly. 

Our cameras captured a white rose resting beside the name of Kevin Michael Williams, whose life was cut short at the age of 24 while working in the south tower.

“He had actually just accepted a job at the World Trade Center right after he got engaged to his fiancée, and his remains were found about a year after the event on what would’ve been their first wedding anniversary,” Kelly recalled.

The memorial’s Birthday Rose Program has been offering loved ones and visitors a moment of reflection since it began in 2013. As time moves forward, Collarone hopes this daily ritual will be a lasting tribute that vows to never forget the victims of 9/11.

“I set up a fund,” Collarone said. “If I’m not around, the 9/11 program will be taken care of way past my life into many other lives”.