In Memory of Richard Pearlman

Richard Allen Pearlman, a volunteer with the Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps, was running an errand at 1 Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan when he heard an all-hands call to the World Trade Center, where a plane had struck one of the towers. He teamed up with police nearby, who took him in a cruiser to Ground Zero, where he was seen helping medical personnel and even carrying people out of the burning building.



On Monday September 17, 2001, NewsWeek published a photo that showed Richard wheeling a bloody victim in a stairchair.

The Newsweek magazine photo showed the 18-year-old from Howard Beach wheeling a bloody victim away from the South Tower — one of the last photos of him before his death. The South Tower was hit minutes after a jet flew into the North Tower. He then ran back into the South Tower to help before it collapsed on top of him.

"I'm going to be a famous person one day, Mom. I'm going to help save the world. You'll see." said Richard to his mother, Dori Pearlman.

In Memory of Arlene Eva Fried

Arlene Eva Fried was 49 years old and from Roslyn, New York. Arlene worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, Arlene was trying to help a young lawyer who wanted to know where he should apply for a job. She returned the lawyer's telephone message at 8:44 a.m. He was not there, so she left a message. Four minutes later, the first plane struck. Her remains were never recovered.

"It was always such a joy to work with you, Arlene! Your smile that always greeted me as I peeked into your office was refreshing. I was always bringing a really difficult problem to you. That smile made things much easier for me. I miss you and am so sad that you are no longer with us". (Charles K. Gonzales, co-worker).

In Memory of Margaret Ruth Echtermann

Margaret Ruth Echtermann was 33 years old and from Barneveld, New York. (Born: Flemington, New Jersey). Margaret worked as a leasing representative for Regus on the 93rd floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Margaret liked to spend summer weekends in a rented house in the Hamptons where according to her sister Heidi, she had fallen in love. Also, she was looking forward to moving to Boston where her company was about to transfer her.

On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Margaret spoke to her sister after the first plane hit the North Tower and told her she was fine, then called her parents in Barneveld, a small town north of Utica, and told them the same. Then she called a friend, who recognized Margaret's phone number on her caller ID, but heard nothing. That was the moment of impact, her sister thinks.

In Memory of James Patrick Ladley

James Patrick Ladley was 41 years old and from Colts Neck, New Jersey. (Born: Staten Island, New York). James worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, James was talking to his wife on the phone from his office on the 104th floor when terrorists flew a hijacked airplane into the building.

Shortly after that tragic day, James's wife had to try to explain to their two young children, Elizabeth and James, why their father had not come home. She told Elizabeth, who saw the big building burning, and relates big buildings with her father's work, that "the building became too dangerous and that God is a good person and he opened up heaven and welcomed the people in the building to a safe place." James says that "Daddy is working in heaven." They look at pictures and videos when they miss their dad, but Mrs. Ladley, who wants them to remember their loving and fun-loving father, also tries to assure them that "we big people will take care of everything."

In Memory of Catherine Patricia Salter

Catherine Patricia Salter was 49 years old and from New York, NY. Catherine worked as an assistant vice president in the property claims department at Aon Corp on the 102 floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, Cathy was near her office in the South Tower, when the first plane hit the other tower. Being a VP and in charge of the office, she had evacuated the staff and then called Chicago to tell them that everyone was OK. Next she called her former boss in Cincinnati to tell him all was OK, and he was shocked that she was not out of the building. Catherine explained that the public address system urged people to remain in their offices, but she had evacuated the staff and was just ready to leave herself. It was then that the phone went dead and Catherine's boss saw the new plume of fire from Catherine's tower.

"I can almost imagine seeing her walk the streets and enjoy being alive there. My entire family life has been changed by that day. I may be past the bitterness of strangers taking her life but I will never be over knowing that they must be stopped. We must never forget 9-11-01 if for no other reason than to make sure that it never happens again.

I miss Cathy so much, I look at her picture and I talk to her and I believe that she knows how I feel.

May the circle be unbroken." Love MOM (Eleanor Salter)

Catherine Lisa Loguidice

Catherine Lisa Loguidice was 30 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. Catherine worked as an assistant to bond traders at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Catherine also worked every weekend at a veterinarian's office on Oceanside and had begun taking classes to become a veterinary technician.

Catherine was to be married on October 30, 2001.

Catherine's purse and wallet were found intact, as were some of her remains.

In Memory of Sharon Christina Millan

Sharon Christina Millan was 31 years old and from New York, N.Y. Sharon worked for Harris Beach LLP as an office coodindator on the 85th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

In Memory of Virgin Lucy Francis

Virgin (Lucy) Francis was 62 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. (Born: Dominica). Lucy worked at Windows on the World on the 107th floor in the North Tower at the World Trade Centre.

As a seasoned housekeeper, Lucy took immense pride in polishing the brass and vacuuming the much-trod carpets of Windows on the World. She always insisted that her rooms be as perfect as the view. And although she was scheduled to come to work at 9am on September 11, 2001, she went in early as usual. In fact she should not have gone in at all, she had insisted on working the week before despite a bout of the flu, and the previous Thursday her boss had demanded she go home, telling her, "Don't come back until you're ready."

But, Lucy liked to be out there working, she never liked to sit around at home. And so, on the morning of the terrorist attacks, she took the A train from Fulton Street as she always did, and arrived well before the first plane struck the building.

Her son recalled how hard she had worked all her life, after coming to the US in 1986 from Barbados. Her family still cannot quite believe she is gone.

In Memory of Nicole Carol Miller

Nicole Carol Miller was 21 years old and from and from San Jose, California. Nicole was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93.

Nicole, who was a student at West Valley College in Saratoga, California, made an impulsive decision to fly to the East Coast to vacation with a friend. The couple toured Manhattan landmarks and New Jersey boardwalks and beaches before boarding separate flights to return home. A thunderstorm on the evening of September 10 forced Nicole to re-schedule her flight to the next morning.

United Airlines Flight 93 was crashed into a field, during an attempt by some of the passengers to regain control, killing all 44 people aboard.

Nicole's sister said, "She was brave, heroic, strong-willed and would have fought back with all her might. She was beautiful like a cover girl inside and out."

In Memory of Kimberly S. Bowers

Kimberly S. Bowers was 31 years old and from Islip, NY. Kimberly worked as an administrative staff member for Cantor Fitzgerald in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Kimberly stood outside the World Trade Center talking with a friend on her cellphone. At 8:50 a.m. she said, "Oh my God, a plane just hit the building. I'm getting out of here." Her brother-in-law, Eric, later said, "She was still out in the street. She wasn't even in the building yet."

"In the first years, the grief was just so overwhelming and so horrible there was no possible way that you could think of 9/11 as anything but a horrible, sad time because you're still so close to it. As time goes by and your grief changes and mellows a little, there's no way it's not going to be sad, but it can also be good. It's a time to remember what was good in the life of that person."
 
"We would always go to the zoo. We would go apple picking or pumpkin picking." Allison (Kimberly's sister).

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 Maurita Tam

Maurita Tam was 22 years old and from New York, NY. Maurita worked for Aon Corporation on the 99th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Maurita's uncle, Wai-ching Chung, also died in the attack. Mr. Chung was waiting in Manhattan for a shuttle bus to take him to his job in New Jersey when he was hit with falling debris.

Three years later, Maurita's mother was informed that her daughter's purse had been found. She said, "To compare with those families with nothing left from their loved ones, I was thankful".

Maurita described herself best. "I'm awesome!" she would shout, dissolving into giggles.

Maurita's student website, which her college has preserved.

In Memory of William G. Biggart

William G. Biggart was 54 years old and from New York, NY. Bill was an American photojournalist.

On September 11, 2001, Bill walked the two miles from his home in Manhattan to reach the World Trade Center as soon as he learned of the first plane hitting the North Tower.

Bill was soon shooting straight up at the burning buildings. He was not far from the first tower when it fell. After being overtaken by the dust cloud, he photographed the devastation all around him. Wendy, his wife, reached Bill on his cell phone shortly after the first tower fell. He told her not to worry, he would meet her in 20 minutes at his studio. "I’m safe," he assured her, "I'm with the firemen." It was the last time they ever spoke. About 20 minutes later, the second tower collapsed.

Four days after his death, Bill's remains were discovered along with a bag containing his cameras and the CompactFlash card from which the famous photos were recovered.

Bill's wife, said, "Bill's photos display his independent spirit and his exuberant passion for life and photography. He was a person who loved his work and was working at what he loved right up to the end."

The North Tower burning. (Bill Biggart)

Bill Biggart's last photograph, of the fallen South Tower, taken shortly before the North Tower collapsed.

In Memory of Allison Horstmann Jones

Allison Horstmann Jones was 31 years old and from New York, NY. (Born: Hackensack, New Jersey). Allison worked for Sandler O'Neill on the 104th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Allison spoke to her parents on the morning of September 11, 2001, when the first plane hit the North Tower. She had been on the 104th floor in the South Tower and planned on fleeing. The last thing she said was, 'I'm going to get out of here.'

Her family watched the two towers burn, grasping onto hope that Allison had made it out in time. Afterwards they went on their own search mission, traveling the streets of New York City and posting dozens of 'missing placards'. They visited every hospital in the city.

In April 2003, investigators found Allison's femur bone. DNA from her hairbrush and toothbrush from her New York apartment matched that from the femur.

"She was the oldest of all of and us and was a great leader. We were friends; we were just getting closer. I always looked up to her." Allison's sister, Jenny.

In Memory of Karen Lynn Seymour

Karen Lynn Seymour was 40 years old and from Millington, NJ.

On September 11, 2001, Karen was attending a financial technology seminar on the 106th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. She was employed by the ETC division of Garban Intercapital, and regularly worked on the 25th floor of the building.

Karen's husband, William, made a huge decision to keep his wife's memory alive. He founded The Karen L. Seymour Fund at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. Quoting William Dietrich "This will encourage greater global harmony by educating children and families of all backgrounds in the peaceful use of science and technology in the hope that future generations will be spared the pain and horror of this tragedy." His wish is that his children or no other children ever have to experience or witness the violence which occurred on September 11, 2001.

In Memory of Amy Hope Lamonsoff

Amy Hope Lamonsoff was 29 years old and from Brooklyn, NY. Amy worked for Risk Waters Group.

On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Amy was an events manager for Risk Waters Group and helping to set the tables for a breakfast conference at the Windows On The World Restaurant on the 106th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Amy was dedicated to her job and was a great perfectionist. Everything had to be done right or not at all. She was always positive, had a kind word to say to everyone and was the type of person you knew you could always rely on in a crisis. Amy was also deeply considerate of others in her personal and professional life - a $300 tax refund she received was promptly contributed to charities.

Amy's sister recalled: "She loved the Beatles and was devastated when John Lennon was shot, although she was only 8 at the time."

On September 16, 2001, Amy's friends gathered at Strawberry Fields in New York City's Central Park to remember Amy.

In Memory of Amy O'Doherty

Amy O'Doherty was 23 years old and from New York, NY. Amy worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Amy had just moved to New York and into her very first apartment. She was happy with her job at Cantor Fitzgerald. The firm had about 1,000 employees on the top floors of the North Tower.

On September 11, 2001, Amy placed a call to her mother shortly after American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into her tower. She said, "tell my mum I'm safe and OK, a plane has hit the tower".

She was never heard from again.

Amy's Greenhouse - the annual ceremony held to commemorate Amy.

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 Mark Bingham

Mark Bingham was 31 years old and from New York, NY. (Born: Phoenix, Arizona). Mark was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93.

Mark Bingham was last to board United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. He arrived late and nearly missed the flight. Mark sat in seat 4D, in the rear of first class, just behind the cockpit. At 9:28am the plane was hijacked by terrorists.

Mark made a brief airphone call to his mother, Alice, saying 'I love you'. Later Alice left a voicemail message on Mark's cell phone, instructing her son to attempt to reclaim the aircraft after it became apparent that Flight 93 was to be used in a suicide attack.

It is widely believed that Mark was part of a group of passengers who attempted to stop the hijackers from reaching their intended destination. During the attempt, however, the plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

"It gives me a great deal of comfort to know my son may have been able to avert the killing of many, many innocent people." Alice.


United 93 (Widescreen Edition)
It's an event that shook the world. Honest, unflinching and profoundly moving, United 93 tells the unforgettable story of the heroic passengers and crew members who prevented the terrorists from carrying out their plans for the fourth hijacked plane on September 11, 2001. As on-ground military and civilian teams scrambled to make sense of the unfolding events, forty people who sat down as strangers found the courage to stand up as one.

In Memory of Debra Marie Paris

Debra Marie Paris was 48 years old and from New York, NY. Debra worked for Sandler O'Neill on the 104th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

When Herman Sandler, president of Sandler O'Neill, bought his yacht, he turned everything over to Debra, saying, "Let me know when the money runs out." She did the rest, from hiring a captain to paying the marina. 'No Problem' was his name for the boat — fitting, no doubt, from his point of view, but only because of Debra.

On September 11, 2001, 83 people came to work at Sandler O'Neill and 66 never went home.

"She was like my wife, my child, my mother, my best friend. And I was a husband and father and child and brother to her." Jimmy (Debra's husband).