In Memory of Kenneth Tietjen

Kenneth Tietjen was 31 years old and from Matawan, New Jersey.

On September 11, 2001, Kenneth was working his job on the PATH trains when he heard of the attacks. He immediately rushed into Manhattan to help, first commandeering a cab, then hopping an emergency vehicle.

Kenneth led workers, some of them badly burned, from the North Tower before grabbing the last air pack in sight and entering the South Tower.

"He waved to his partner and went in," his mother said.

 Minutes later the tower collapsed.

"He loved everything - life, sports, people, his job. Every day was another project for him. He was a lovable person with many, many friends. And I know it sounds corny, but he was a really good kid. He was born on the Fourth of July. He was a hero."


"I'm still very much in love with Kenny," Kenneth's fiancé said, who still wears, as a pendant, the wedding band they bought on September. 6, 2001, for their planned marriage. "I'm not dating, but I feel very complete now," she said. "I've found some measure of peace. I can laugh now. I couldn't for so long."

In Memory of Daniel David Bergstein

Daniel David Bergstein was 38 years old and from Teaneck, New Jersey. (Born: New York, NY). Daniel was the board secretary for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

On September 11, 2001, none of his co-workers at the Port Authority had seen Daniel enter his office on the 67th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The only person who spotted him was a secretary in the lobby, who saw him get into an elevator minutes before American Airlines Flight 11 hit the building.

Daniel's daughter, Adrianna Bergstein, knows something has been very wrong since September 11, when her father didn't come to pick her up from kindergarten class as promised. But she can't yet grasp it.

"We think she's really blocked it out," her mother, Alicia, said softly. "She really worshiped him. Everything was 'Daddy.' . . . She was completely Daddy's little girl."

Daniel was supposed to pick up Adrianna at 12:30 pm that day. He had planned on taking her into his office at the World Trade Center - a trip he knew she loved.


Alicia Bergstein, center, comforts her children Devin Bergstein, left, and Adrianna Bergstein while visiting the National September 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site in New York. (Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011).

In Memory of Edward Thomas Strauss

Edward Thomas Strauss was 44 years old and from Edison, New Jersey. (Born: New York, NY). Edward worked as Superintendent of Operations at the World Trade Center.

As Chief of World Trade Center Operations, one of his duties was to be part of the initial response to any call for help within the complex.

Edward had a critical role in 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Six lives were lost that cold February afternoon, including a good friend of Eddie's. She was six months pregnant, working in the office next door to his when the explosion occurred. His life spared, he immediately swung into action, breaking through rubble to get to rescue workers and the injured.

When the Twin Towers were attacked on the morning of September 11, 2001, Edward once again chose to stay and put plans into action. Those plans helped save other people's lives.

"When we heard what happened to the buildings, we knew he was in there. From the time he was young, he was taking care of people. That's probably the way he died. He was a very giving person. Anybody who needed him, he was there, at work, at home, anywhere." Theresa, (Edward's sister).

In Memory of Kenneth Joseph Marino

Kenneth Joseph Marino was 40 years old and from Monroe, New York. Kenneth was a firefighter for New York City Fire Department, Rescue Company 1.

On September 11, 2001, Kenneth put on his helmet and responded to the World Trade Center less than one hour after his wife, Katrina, and their children, Kristin, and Tyler, had paid him a surprise visit at his Manhattan firehouse. He sat the kids on one of the trucks, held Kristin in his lap. And then they were gone.

Nine men responded from Rescue One including four who were off duty at the time. Two of their bodies were later recovered from the stairwell of Tower One. But seven, including Kenneth, were never found.

Katrina has kept the damaged helmet her husband wore into the North Tower. "It's nice to have that," she said. "It's nice to have that special object, something tangible that I can see and hold."

Katrina, who met her husband when she was working as a flight attendant, said she has not remarried and still struggles to cope without him.

"We have a long road to travel, this is going to be a life changing journey, one I never thought we would have to make. We are lucky to have such a wonderful support system. Family, friends and the nation have all shown such kindness. I know we will not be alone in this journey. Thank you all." Katrina.

Katrina is featured in this Life book The American Spirit: Meeting the Challenge of September 11

In Memory of Timothy Matthew Welty

Timothy Matthew Welty was 34 years old and from Yonkers, New York. Timothy was a firefighter for the New York City Fire Department, Squad 288.

Timothy had gained a reputation as a fearless and single-minded firefighter, who would let nothing and no one stand in his way to fight a fire. This reputation earned him a spot in the new FDNY "Squad" Companies, which were created after the 1993 World Trade Center attacks as elite specially trained firefighting companies.

On September 11, 2001, Timothy had finished his 12 hour shift at FDNY Squad 288 in Queens. The sight of the burning towers was visible from the firehouse. Timothy called his wife to say he would not be home in time to bring their son to school, donned his turnout gear and jumped on the back of the Hazmat truck as it pulled out.

"My son, Timothy, was lost in the line of duty at the World Trade Center. He was killed while trying to save the lives of those trapped in the towers, regardless of race, color, religion, political affiliation or immigration status."

"Timmy, you were always a ray of sunshine, your smile lit up my life. We miss you desperately, love you intensely and hold you forever in our hearts." Adele Welty (Timothy's mother).

In Memory of Stephen Patrick Driscoll

Barry Driscoll with his father Stephen.

Stephen Patrick Driscoll was 38 years old and from Lake Carmel, New York. Stephen was a police officer for New York City Police Department, Emergency Services Squad 4.

Stephen was one of 23 New York City Police Department officers who died trying to rescue others at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

PO Driscoll and many other emergency workers took part in what has been considered the greatest rescue effort in America's history. Steve and his comrades entered the South Tower of the World Trade Center and while performing their duties, they lost their lives when the building came down.

Now aged 25, Barry Driscoll has followed in his selfless father's footsteps and joined the NYPD's ranks, taking his dad's shield number. Barry has been given badge number 17482 and assigned to the 44th Precinct in The Bronx.

In Memory of Scott Larsen

Scott Larsen was 35 years old and from Queens N.Y. Scott was a firefighter for New York City Fire Department, Ladder 15 (Rotation) Ladder 163 (Assigned).

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Scott was working on rotation at Ladder 15 in lower Manhattan, the second company to make it to the World Trade Center.

His wife, Carolann was pregnant at the time of 9/11. Two days later September 13 she gave birth to another son. She named him "August" after her husband's father, the name Scott wanted.


August Larsen makes a crayon rubbing of his father's name from the 9/11 memorial.

In Memory of Orio Joseph Palmer

Orio Joseph Palmer was 45 years old and from Valley Stream, New York. Orio was a Battalion Chief of the New York City Fire Department.

On September 11, 2001, Orio led the team of firefighters that reached the 78th floor of the South Tower, the floor where the plane had struck the building.

After arriving at the South Tower of the World Trade Center, Orio and his men took the one remaining operating elevator to the 44th floor sky deck, as high as it would go. There they climbed from the 44th floor to the 78th floor, putting out fires along the way while trying to save others.

Orio reached the 78th floor sky lobby and he was able to free a group of civilians trapped in an elevator at 9.58am. Orio radioed that the area was open to the 79th floor, "well into the impact zone", and reported "numerous civilian fatalities in the area". One minute later, at 9.59am, the South Tower collapsed, killing everyone still inside.

On their refrigerator, Debbie Palmer (Orio's wife), still keeps the saying her husband taped there before he led the men of his battalion to the World Trade Center. "Live while you're alive."

In Memory of John Kevin McAvoy

John Kevin McAvoy was 47 years old and from Staten Island, New York. John was a firefighter with New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 3.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, John was in the firehouse in street clothes and off duty when the first plane hit. He and another fireman put on their gear, hailed a cab and went to the World Trade Center by cab.

"He loved his job more than anything," John's wife said. "He listened to the scanner all day long so he wouldn't miss anything. He loved the excitement of the job. He could have retired four years ago, but he wanted to stay on."

Recommended 9/11 Reading: We're Not Leaving

We're Not Leaving, 9/11 Responders Tell Their Stories of Courage, Sacrifice and Renewal is a compilation of powerful first person narratives told from the vantage point of World Trade Center disaster workers. Police officers, firefighters, construction workers, and other volunteers at the site.

While the effects of 9/11 on these everyday heroes and heroines are indelible, and in some cases have been devastating, at the heart of their deeply personal stories, their harrowing escapes from the falling Towers, the egregious environment they worked in for months, the alarming health effects they continue to deal with, is their witness to their personal strength and renewal in the ten years since.

These stories, shared by ordinary people who responded to disaster and devastation in extraordinary ways, remind us of America's strength and inspire us to recognize and ultimately believe in our shared values of courage, duty, patriotism, self-sacrifice, and devotion, which guide us in dark times.

In Memory of Kathy Nancy Mazza

Captain Kathy Nancy Mazza was 46 years old and from Farmingdale, New York.

Kathy was the first female commanding officer of the Port Authority Police Academy. On September 11, 2001, she joined her colleagues at the World Trade Center. There she shot open a glass panel wall after a revolving door became jammed with debris allowing hundreds to escape the horror that was unfolding inside the building. She was last seen with Lieutenant Robert D. Cirri as they were helping carry a woman down the stairs when the building collapsed.

In February 2002, Kathy and the four other Port Authority Police Officers were found in the rubble of the North Tower. Beside them was the body of the woman still strapped in a rescue chair.