America Remembers

Twin Towers of light will rise over Manhattan as America marks 14th anniversary of 9/11

A name-reading ceremony will be held at Memorial Plaza in Manhattan Thursday morning, punctuated by six moments of silence. This year, the Memorial Plaza will be open to the public on September 11 from 6am until midnight. Tribute in Light will illuminate the skies over the Financial District from sunset to early Friday morning. A ceremony of remembrance will take place at Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Relatives of those who perished in Pentagon will take part in private memorial attended by President Obama.

Two blue columns of light representing the devastated World Trade Center illuminated the skies over Lower Manhattan Wednesday night – a vivid tribute to the nearly 3,000 slain innocents - as the United Stated prepared to mark the 13th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Like every year, relatives of victims will come together at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza for a somber name-reading ceremony honoring every one of the people who perished in the attacks on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and inside the plane that crashed in rural Pennsylvania.

During the ceremony, six moments of silence will be observed marking the strikes on the towers, and the Pentagon, the collapse of the skyscrapers and the time Flight 93 went down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In Memory of Marianne MacFarlane

Marianne MacFarlane was 34 years old and from Revere, Massachusetts. Marianne died on September 11, 2001, on United Flight 175 bound for Las Vegas from Boston.

Marianne was a United Airlines gate agent. Marianne was on United Flight 175 for a mini-vacation in Las Vegas. Her mother, Anne MacFarlane, a Logan public service representative and former flight attendant, described Marianne as "everybody's friend."

Marianne worked the 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift and would rise at 4:05 to find her mother waiting downstairs to drive her to work. Although she usually tossed an "I'll see ya" over her shoulder, on September 11, 2001, Marianne said "goodbye" as her mother dropped her off at Terminal C. Her mother almost stopped the car to ask, "Why `goodbye'?"

Back at home, Marianne's mother turned on the television as a commentator spoke of the horror unfolding in New York City. Anne watched as her only daughter was murdered. While she didn't know at the time that Marianne was on the plane, an unease grew. Anne at first waited at home with her sons for some piece of news, but then felt an urge to go to the airport. She needed to know. United Airlines employees were gathered around the ticket counter. When they saw her approach, some began to cry.

In Memory of James Patrick Berger

James Patrick Berger was 44 years old and from Yardley, Pennsylvania. (Born: Queens, New York). James worked for Aon Corporation on the 101st floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, James was working in his office in the World Trade Center. He was on the phone with his wife, Suzanne, when the first plane crashed into the North Tower.

"He said, 'Listen, Suze, I just want you to know that something's going on. The lights are flickering. I hear a popping sound. I'll call you back later,' " Suzanne said.

James made the decision to evacuate his personnel. His unselfish sense of duty was emphasized when a crowd of evacuees tried to drag him into an elevator. He firmly stated, "No. I'm going back".

The last elevator carrying Aon employees reached the ground 20 seconds before hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 slammed into the South Tower.

After shepherding 156 of his employees to safety from the 101st floor of the South Tower, James lost his own life on that tragic day.

In Memory of Roko Camaj

Roko Camaj was 60 years old and from Manhasset, New York. (Born: Sukuruc, Montenegro). Roko worked as a window washer for American Building Maintenance in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Roko had worked there for 27 years.

On September 11, 2001, Roko arrived at work at 6.30am. He had full access to the roof. Most likely, he was on the roof when the first plane hit because he was operating the rig (window-washing) that day. He probably heard the plane coming.

When the South Tower was his by United Airlines Flight 175, Roko made one phone call to his mother at 9.14am from the 105th floor. He said, "I'm on the 105th floor. There's at least 200 people here." He was waiting for the okay to go up or down. Before the second plane hit, they told him to stay where he was, he had a walkie-talkie. Then he said, "Don't upset my kids, we're all in God's hands."



Roko once said: "It was me and the sky up here. I bother no one, and no one bothers me."

In Memory of Patrick J. Quigley IV

Patrick J. Quigley IV was 40 years old and from Wellesley, Massachusetts. Patrick was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175.

Thirty four days before Leah's birth, her dad, Patrick J. Quigley IV, woke up early. He got unusually flustered trying to find and iron a clean pair of pants. He kissed his wife, Patti, goodbye. Then he hopped in a limo to make his plane, United Airlines Flight 175. Patrick sat in the first row of first class for the last and unknowable chapter of his life.

On that morning, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Patrick's friends describe him as a kindhearted class clown growing up.

"There isn't a person who knew Pat that didn't like him," high school friend Katrina Wright said shortly before a memorial service for him in October 2001. "He was so nice, and nice to everyone"

In Memory of Shawn M. Nassaney and Lynn Catherine Goodchild

Shawn M. Nassaney, 25, from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and his girlfriend, Lynn Catherine Goodchild, 25, from Attleboro, Massachusetts, were passengers on United Airlines Flight 175.

On September 11, 2001, Lynn and Shawn started out on their four day trip to Maui, Hawaii, before they went back to study for their M.B.A. degrees at Providence College. They had almost decided against the trip, considering a vacation in Sydney, Australia. But they decided to visit a place where neither had traveled before. (The couple had lived in Sydney briefly after Shawn was transferred there by his job.)

At 9:03 am, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the southern facade of South Tower of the World Trade Center, striking between floors 77 and 85.

In October, 2011, some of Lynn's remains and her credit cards were found, nothing of Shawn was ever found.

In Memory of Todd Christopher Weaver

Todd Christopher Weaver was 30 years old and from New York, NY. (Born: Ann Arbor, Michigan). Todd worked for Fiduciary Trust Company International on the 94th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Todd's colleagues were in California for a meeting on September 11, 2001, and Todd had been asked to stay back and look after the office. He was in the building as United Airlines Flight 175 crashed though the 78th – 84th floors.

Todd's wallet and wedding ring were recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center.

In Memory of Jane Louise Simpkin

Jane Louise Simpkin was 36 years old and from Wayland, Massachusetts. (Born: United Kingdom). Jane was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175.

On September 11, 2001, at 9:03am United Airlines flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center, after the plane was hijacked by five terrorists. Jane was sat next to one of the terrorists.

"Her mind was lovable, and strong, and opinionated," said Jane's mother, who is still a Wayland resident. "She was just marvelous."

In Memory of Kathryn L. LaBorie

Kathryn L. LaBorie was 44 years old and from Providence, Rhode Island. (Born: Colorado). Kathryn was the lead flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 175.

On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 175 was deliberately crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

10 years later, Jessica Rhodes talked about her niece, Kathryn L. LaBorie. She remembered a radiant smile and infinite compassion, and suggested that now, 10 years on, it is time to turn a corner.

"Although she may not ever be found, she will never ever be lost to her family and her friends," Jessica said after she read a segment of the list of the dead at ground zero. "Today we honor her by letting go of the sadness over losing her and embracing the joy of having known her."

In Memory of Marie Pappalardo

Marie Pappalardo was 53 years old and from Paramount, California. Marie was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175.

On September 11, 2001, Marie was returning home after visiting her daughter in Boston when United Airlines Flight 175 was hijacked and deliberately crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Marie was a devout Catholic and a loving friend and parent. She was also a devoted protector of cats, catching wild ones and taking them to her vet for shots and spaying.

In Memory of Susan M. Pollio

Susan M. Pollio was 45 years old and from Long Beach Township, N.J. Susan worked as a a bond trader with Euro Brokers Inc. on the 84th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

At 9:03am on September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower, entering at a tilt and raking across six floors - 78 to 84, the last being the Eurobrokers' office. Most of the company's trading floor was annihilated.

After months of being reported as missing, Susan's body was recovered on November 1, 2001. She was laid to rest on December 1, 2001, at Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City.

At Thanksgivings, Susan would get up from the table and announce, "I have to go see a friend." After she died, her family learned that she had been going into Manhattan to feed the homeless in soup kitchens.

In Memory of Robert John Fangman

Robert John Fangman was 33 years old and from Chelsea, Massachusetts. (Born: Wilmington, Delaware). Robert worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines Flight 175.

United Airlines Flight 175 was a passenger flight which was hijacked on September 11, 2001, as part of the 9/11 attacks. The plane was deliberately crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, killing all 61 people aboard plus the hijackers, and an unconfirmed number in the building's impact zone.

At the time of the hijacking, Robert, using an Airfone in row 31 at the back of the plane, called a United Airlines office in San Francisco, and spoke with Marc Policastro. Robert reported the hijacking, and said that the hijackers were likely flying the plane. He also said that both pilots were dead, and that a flight attendant was stabbed.

In Memory of Suzanne Rose Kondratenko

Suzanne Rose Kondratenko was 27 years old and from Chicago, Illinois. (Born: Grosse Pointe, Michigan). Suzanne worked as a management consultant for Keane Consulting Group.

Suzanne had traveled from Chicago to New York for a meeting in Aon's offices on September 11, 2001. She was in a meeting with six Aon insurance executives on the 92nd floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

When the North Tower was hit by American Airlines Flight 11 at 8:46 am, no one in the meeting felt or heard anything in the windowless interior conference room until commotion and screaming outside interrupted their conversation. The group emerged to find people headed for the fire stairs. The air smelled like smoke. The south tower's ventilation system was sucking in smoky air from outside.

Suzanne and her colleagues had just 16½ minutes before United Airlines Flight 175 would tear through the 78th through 84th floors of their building.

According to survivors Suzanne Rose Kondratenko was last seen heading down the stairs from the 92nd floor of the South Tower.

In Memory of the Hanson family

On September 11, 2001, Peter Hanson was traveling with his wife, Sue Kim Hanson, and their 2 year old daughter, Christine Lee Hanson, who had never flown on a plane before. The Hanson family were passengers on United Airlines Flight 175, where they were seated in Row 19, in seats C, D, and E.

At 9:00 am Peter Hanson made a phone call to his father:
"It's getting bad, Dad. A stewardess was stabbed. They seem to have knives and Mace. They said they have a bomb. It's getting very bad on the plane. The plane is making jerky movements. I don't think the pilot is flying the plane. I think we are going down. I think they intend to go to Chicago or someplace and fly into a building. Don't worry, Dad. If it happens, it'll be very fast....Oh my God... oh my God, oh my God."

At 9:03 am Flight 175 crashed into the southern facade of South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Christine Lee at two and a half was the youngest victim on 9/11, and she died in her parent's arms.

In Memory of Alicia Nicole Titus

Alicia Nicole Titus was 28 years old and from San Francisco, California. (Born: Springfield, Ohio). Alicia was a flight attendant for United Airlines Flight 175.

"Some Guinness was spilt on the barroom floor,
When the Pub was shut for the night.
Out of a hole crept a wee brown mouse,
And stood in the pale moonlight.

He lapped the frothy brew from the floor,
Then back on his haunches he sat.
And all night long you could hear him roar,
"Bring on the goddamn cat!"

by Alicia N. Titus



Alicia Titus Tribute on Youtube


Losing Alicia: A Father's Journey After 9/11 by John L. Titus
In Losing Alicia, readers not only witness a father's struggle over the murder of his young, vibrant and beautiful daughter, but they walk with him through his agonizing grief after one of the most horrific tragedies in history, September 11, 2001.

In Memory of Ruth Magdaline McCourt

Ruth Magdaline McCourt was 45 years old and from New London, Connecticut. (Born: Cork, Ireland). Ruth and her daughter Juliana Valentine McCourt (4 years old), were passengers on United Airlines Flight 175. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, at 9:03am, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the southern facade of the South Tower of the World Trade Center impacting between the 77th and 85th floors.

In the cruellest of twists, Ruth's best friend and Juliana's godmother, Paige Farley-Hackel, had decided to go with them but ended up on a different flight. She was on American Airlines Flight 11, which had crashed into the North Tower minutes earlier.

In Memory of Jill Marie Campbell

Jill Marie Campbell was 31 years old and from New York, NY. Jill worked as an administrative assistant for Baseline Financial Services on the 78th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, at 9:03am, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the southern facade of the South Tower of the World Trade Center impacting between the 77th and 85th floors.

In Memory of Amy Nicole Jarret

Amy Nicole Jarret was 28 years old and from North Smithfield, Rhode Island. Amy was a flight attendant on United Airlines 175. At 9:03 a.m on September 11, 2001, Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Her father, Aram Jarret, said his daughter was hopelessly in love with her college boyfriend and that a glittering diamond engagement ring seemed only months away. She was a rabid Notre Dame football fan who would call her dad in tears if the Fighting Irish were losing at halftime.

"She was wonderful," Mr Jarret said.

In Memory of Welles Remy Crowther

Welles Remy Crowther was 24 years old and from Upper Nyack, N.Y. Welles worked for Sandler O'Neill and Partners on the 104th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Witnesses report that after United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower, Welles Crowther, with a red bandanna covering his mouth and nose to protect him from the debris, re-entered the building at least three times to rescue people. He is directly responsible for saving the lives of at least 12 people.

Among those rescued include Judy Wein and Ling Young, the latter of whom keeps a picture of him in her house. Welles, with members of the FDNY, had been on their way back up the South Tower when it collapsed.

Welles Crowther's body was found 6 months later on March 19, 2002 on the side of the lobby of the South Tower of World Trade Center.


Below is Welles Crowther's complete 9/11 story, taken from the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust website.

"On September 11, 2001 when the attacks on the World Trade Center began, Welles was no longer an equities trader. He became a firefighter.

Through telephone calls, Welles was known to have been in his office at approximately 9:00 AM.

However, he was recovered on March 19, 2002 along with NYFD firefighters and emergency services personnel who had been operating a NYFD Command Center in the lobby of the South Tower.

Welles' final hour remained a mystery until an article about September 11th printed in The New York Times (5/26/02) mentioned eyewitness reports of a mysterious man in a red bandanna on the 78th floor Sky Lobby of 2 World Trade Center when the second plane crashed into the south tower.

This is where Welles was likely to have been at that time, since he was ultimately able to get down to the main lobby before the tower collapsed.

Eyewitnesses reported that, after the plane had hit into the Sky Lobby, a man suddenly appeared "out of nowhere". He was stripped to his T-shirt and wearing a red bandanna to cover his nose and mouth, protection against the smoke and debris.

This man organized a rescue effort on the floors high above where the official rescue workers were able to reach. He called for fire extinguishers, he found and directed dazed and confused victims to the only stairwell that was open for escape, and he carried a woman down to the 61st floor, then returned to the 78th floor to rescue more people. He turned back up once again after bringing the second group of survivors down.

Eyewitnesses report that the man spoke calmly, with authority, and was obviously well trained. He is reported to have saved many lives that day.

Knowing that her son always carried a red bandanna in his back right pocket, Welles' mother believed that the description of the mysterious man fit her son: his character, his training and his likely location at the time. She sent recent photographs of her son to the eyewitnesses.

The witnesses confirmed that Welles Crowther was the "Man in the Red Bandanna" who helped to save their lives and others on September 11th.

The Crowther Family ultimately learned, almost 3 years later, that Welles and the members of FDNY with whom he was recovered, had been on their way back up the South Tower with a Hearst "jaws of life" tool to free victims who were trapped under debris, presumably in the Sky Lobby."

In Memory of Jacqueline Donovan

Jacqueline Donovan was 34 and lived in Lynbrook, New York (Born: Brooklyn, New York). She worked as a secretary for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. on the 89th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. On September 11th 2001, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the southern facade of South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03am, impacting between the 77th and 85th floors.