In Memory of Sharon Ann Carver

Sharon Ann Carver was 38 years old and from Waldorf, Maryland. (Born: Columbia, South Carolina).

Things were looking up for Sharon when she showed up for work at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. A 16-year federal employee, Sharon had spent the last decade working as an accountant for the U.S. Army and had recently received a master's degree in business administration from Strayer University.

Sharon was only days back from an annual family vacation at Disney World when she had her life and all of its potential cut short. Terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the west side of the Pentagon, killing 125 people inside and all 64 people aboard the Boeing 757 jet.

 Sharon was very industrious and took great pride in doing her job well. She loved her country and was very patriotic. "She went to Florida and had fun with the whole family," her nephew, Sean Carver, said.

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 Daniel John Lee

Daniel John Lee was 34 years old and from Van Nuys, California. Danny was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11.

On September 11, 2001, Danny was determined to be at his wife's side when she gave birth to their second child. The roadie for the Backstreet Boys had permission to peel away from the band's tour, and after a long night breaking down the stage in Boston, he caught the first flight home to Los Angeles the next morning.

Two days later Danny's wife, Kellie, gave birth to a healthy baby girl. She gave her the first name the couple had picked out together, Allison. But Kellie gave her a different middle name, Danielle, to honor her late husband.

In Memory of Stephen Patrick Cherry

Stephen Patrick Cherry was 41 years old and from Stamford, Connecticut. (Born: New York, NY). Stephen worked as an equity stockbroker at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th Floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

When Stephen called his wife from work the morning of September 11, 2001, he did not sound at all worried. It was 8:40am, the planes were still miles away, and Stephen was calling to thank his wife, Maryellen, again for making his favorite dinner the night before, orange roast chicken, and to tell her how much he loved her.

At 8:46am, American Airlines Flight 11 ripped a path across floors 94 to 98, directly into the office of Marsh & McLennan Companies, shredding steel columns, wallboard, filing cabinets and computer-laden desks. Its fuel ignited and incinerated everything in its way.

In the equities trading area in the southern part of the 104th floor, looking toward the Statue of Liberty, Stephen pushed a button at his desk to activate the squawk box, a nationwide intercom to other Cantor offices around the country. "Can anybody hear us?" Stephen asked. A trader in Chicago who was listening in later said that she managed to reach a firehouse near the trade center. "They know you're there," she told Stephen.

"The only thing he wanted was to have a big great room, with the kitchen and the family room and the fireplace all in one place. He always wanted to be with me while I was cooking and with the kids when they were watching TV." Maryellen (Stephen's wife).

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 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 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.


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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).

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 Karen Ann Martin

Karen Ann Martin was 40 years old and from Danvers, Massachusetts. Karen was the lead flight attendant on the American Airlines Flight 11.

In 1989, Karen became an American Airlines flight attendant and, jumping up onto a chair, proclaimed to her friends: "There is now something special in the air!"

On September 11, 2001, Karen became the first victim of the attacks. She was brutally attacked on the plane for the keys to the cockpit, which were in her possession.

Karen was not married but was known as 'Aunt Karen' to her friends kids. When asked about her safety as a Flight Attendant, Karen said, "I love my job and whatever happens, happens. I love my job." Karen's aunt, Joan Greener, recalls, "She loved people, but wasn't intimidated by people, and I know she didn't go down without a fight."

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 Giovanna Galletta Gambale

Giovanna Galletta Gambale was 27 years old and from Brooklyn, NY. Giovanna worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Giovanna and her sister, Antonia, were both working in the North Tower. Antonia worked on the fifth floor, and was able to get out right away. She called her father, Anthony, in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, and told him she was OK. He told her to come home. Then he said, "What about your sister?"

Giovanna known to her friends as 'Gennie' could not escape.

"When that first plane hit the World Trade Center, it hit all of our hearts, because our Gennie was there. When the towers crumbled, our hearts crumbled because our Gennie was there. But like Grandma says, Gennie quickly flew away from there, she flew away from there with her big Gennie smile on her face. We will always have Gennie with us." Lisa Baeurle (Giovanna's cousin).

In Memory of Sara Elizabeth Manley

Sara Elizabeth Manley was 31 years old and from New York, NY. Sara worked for Fred Alger Management on the 93rd floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the northern facade of the North Tower, impacting between the 93rd and 99th floors.

On August 11, 2001, Sara married Bill Harvey at a storybook wedding in Chapel Hill, N.C. Sara oversaw every detail, down to the magenta-colored napkins that matched the roses the flower girls carried. She took as much time planning the menu for three guests who were vegetarians as she did for the other 120 invitees. "That's the kind of person Sara was. She wanted to make sure everyone was happy."

"My marriage lasted exactly one month." Bill said.

In Memory of Joanne Mary Cregan

Joanne Mary Cregan was 32 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. (Born: Dublin, Ireland). Joanne worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, the North Tower collapsed at 10:28 am, after burning for 102 minutes.

Some of the Joanne's remains were found months later and identified by DNA testing. Joanne's family were surprised to hear that the necklace she had been wearing was also located. Joanne's mother Mary said, "We don't know how they identified it, but it is very special to us to have it back."

Joanne had moved to New York with her sister Grace. They bought apartment, just two floors apart, in Brooklyn Heights. The pair were inseparable. They sent each other emails throughout the day and watched TV together at night. Grace worked in the South Tower and managed to escape.

In the New York Times Portraits of Grief her sister Grace spoke about how difficult it have been for her since her sister's death. She said "She was an excellent big sister…Sometimes it just hits me that I'll never see her again. I won't get to grow old with her."

In Memory of Todd Morgan Beamer

Todd Morgan Beamer was 32 years old and from Cranbury, New Jersey. (Born: Flint, Michigan). Todd was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93.

On September 11, 2001, Todd left his home for a one-day business trip to San Francisco.

After United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked, Todd and other passengers communicated with people on the ground via airphones and cell phones, and learned that the World Trade Center and the Pentagon had been attacked using hijacked airplanes.

Todd tried to place a credit card call through a phone located on the back of a plane seat but was routed to a customer-service representative instead, who passed him on to GTE supervisor Lisa Jefferson. Todd reported that one passenger was killed and, later, that a flight attendant had told him the pilot and co-pilot had been forced from the cockpit and may have been wounded. He was also on the phone when the plane made its turn in a southeasterly direction, a move that had him briefly panicking. Later, he told the operator that some of the plane's passengers were planning to "jump on" the hijackers and fly the plane into the ground before the hijackers' plan could be followed through.

Todd then recited The Lord's Prayer. Todd's last audible words were "Are you guys ready? Okay, let's roll."

Todd's daughter, Morgan Kay, was born on January 9, 2002, approximately four months after his death.

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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.

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In Memory of Karen Elizabeth Hagerty

Karen Elizabeth Hagerty was 34 years old and from New York, NY. Karen worked for Aon Corporation on the 105th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, when the first plane crashed into the North Tower, Karen and her colleagues immediately started the evacuation of their building. They were at the 78th floor awaiting the express elevator when the second plane struck their tower.

As some office workers spoke nervously of the loved ones they were rushing to rejoin, Karen joked, "I have a horse and two cats", as she was squeezed out of an elevator spot.

One of Karen's colleagues who had been with her on the 78th floor managed to survive, and revealed to Karen's parents that Karen died upon the impact of the second plane.

"My sister loved her animals more than life," Karen's sister said. "She called them her kids."

In Memory of Jennifer Louise Fialko

Jennifer Louise Fialko was 29 years old and from Teaneck, New Jersey. Jennifer worked for AON Corporation on the 92nd floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Jennifer had just found the man she believed to be her soulmate, David.

On September 11, 2001, she called David at 8:59 after the first plane hit the North Tower. She realized she needed to get out of the tower. He told her to call back when she got to the bottom. The second plane hit her tower at 9:03. Nobody ever heard from her again.

At 24, an age when most people are busy with first jobs and apartments, Jennifer was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. She was 29 before she fully recovered. Beating cancer made her glow with new confidence. She felt she could do anything.

"She was convinced she was now going to live to 120," said Andrew Fialko, her brother. "And we believed her."

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 Marisa Dinardo Schorpp

Marisa Dinardo Schorpp was 38 years old and from White Plains, NY.

Marisa worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On Monday, September 10, 2001, Marisa went out to dinner to celebrate her mother's birthday. Marisa did not have to travel far to join the party. She hosted a group of six at Windows on the World, a few floors up from her office in the North Tower. "Mom, I have you at the top of the world", Marisa told her mother.

"We ordered great wine and food, danced and laughed until 1:30 a.m.," said her brother Harley. "She said she had to be back at 8.15 that morning for a meeting."

At 8.46am on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the northern facade of the North Tower. The damage caused to the North Tower destroyed any means of escape at the impact zone or above it. All stairwells and elevators from the 92nd floor up were rendered impassable

A year later, Marisa's heavily damaged and charred pocketbook was returned to her family. The contents within her recovered bag included various credit cards, a Blockbuster card, ID cards, and the receipt from the celebratory dinner at Windows on the World from the evening before in honor of her Mother's birthday.

Marisa was never found.


Westchester County 9/11 Memorial in Valhalla, NY.

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 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 Sadie Ette

Sadie Ette was 36 years old and from New York, NY. Sadie worked as an account representative for Windows on the World on the 106th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

"I remember very vividly when my cousin Sadie called franticly at 8:56 am on that horrific day, she didn't know what happened and by the time I could tell her it was a plane, the phone had died. I remember how she stood by my side when I was in the hospital when Joshua was to be born prematurely and how she wanted to fight for me. I know she's in heaven with Joshua and taking good care of him. Rest in Peace Sadie." Ini (Sadie's friend).

In Sadie's Manhattan apartment, a Bible was found on her pillow, which she had apparently read before work on the morning of September 11, 2001. It was open to the 91st Psalm: "With His wings He will cover you and beneath His wings you will find refuge; His truth is a shield, a full shield.You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day."

In Memory of Tamara C. Thurman

Tamara C. Thurman was 25 years old and from Brewton, Alabama.

Sergeant Tamara Thurman worked in the Pentagon as an assistant in the office of the deputy chief of staff for personnel. She enlisted out of high school, served in Bosnia, Korea and Germany. Tamara was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Tamara's mother, Saundra, described her as "a sweet girl" and said, "I am very proud of her."

In Memory of Karol Ann Keasler

Karol Ann Keasler was 42 years old and from New York, NY. (Born: Tucson, Arizona).

Karol worked for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. on the 89th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, Karol's mother spoke to her daughter for the final time. She called Karol after the first plane had hit the North Tower. "Mom I'm sorry I was going to call you" said Karol. As they spoke, the second plane hit Karol's building. The call was disconnected.

A bone in Karol's foot was found in the months after 9/11 and identified via breakthrough technology, 10 years later.

"When you lose your child, there's never any closure," she said. "It has no beginning, it has no end."

In Memory of Sirius

"Sirius", Police K9, Badge Number 17.

Police K9, Sirius, was a bomb detection dog with the NY/NJ Port Authority Police Department. He and his partner, Police Officer David Lim, were assigned to the World Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Sirius and Officer Lim were at their Port Authority Police Station in the basement of the World Trade Center's South Tower. When Officer Lim heard the sound of an explosion, he thought a bomb had gone off inside the building, and he commented to Sirius, "one must have gotten by us."

Thinking he'd be more effective freehanded, Officer Lim left Sirius in his kennel telling him, "I'll be back to get you." as he rushed off to help with the rescue effort. At that time, he couldn't think of a safer place for his canine companion to be than in the basement while he was up doing the rescues.

Officer Lim didn't make it back though, he became trapped in the falling debris of the North Tower and wasn't pulled out until more than five hours later. Sirius, however, perished in the tragedy, leaving Officer Lim without his faithful partner.

"He was very special," Officer Lim said, "All dogs go home with us, so not only was he my partner, but he was also my pet and my friend." The bond between a K-9 and his master is special, and while David realizes the human tragedy will overshadow the death of his dog, he still misses Sirius. "We were very close; no matter where I went, he went. Whatever I asked him to do, he did. He never complained. Sometimes we'd be working for long hours, searching hundreds of cars or trucks, and he'd just look at me like, 'What do you want me to do now?'"

On January 22, 2002, Sirius' body was recovered. When David was notified that the kennel had been found, he rushed to Ground Zero to be there for the recovery of his dog. From all accounts, Sirius was killed instantly. He received full Police Honors when his body was carried out. All the great machines were silenced, everyone lined up and saluted as Officer Lim carried his flag draped companion to a waiting police truck.

It was a tough day for David, but he fulfilled the promise he made to Sirius back on September 11, 2001. David said, "He waited and I came back." The American Flag which had covered the body of Sirius was given to Officer Lim, who says he will cherish it always.

A Memorial Service for Sirius was held on April 24, 2002 at Liberty State Park (North Field) in Jersey City, New Jersey. Earlier that month, Sirius had been posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross at the British Embassy in Manhattan. Almost one hundred police dogs, many wearing badges covered by black ribbon to match those of their handlers and some from as far away as California, filed past the wooden urn containing the ashes of Sirius, as their handlers stopped to salute. Then, David, who had been Sirius' handler for two and a half years, was presented with his companion's stainless steel water bowl, which had been found in his kennel.

"I grieve for those I knew. I grieve for those I never knew. But I grieve the most for the best partner a cop ever had. Sirius is still waiting for me." David Lim.


Officer Lim with Sirius.

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In Memory of Howard Lee Kane

Howard Lee Kane was 40 years old and from Hazlet, New Jersey. (Born: Englewood, New Jersey).

Howard was the comptroller at Windows on the World on the 107th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Having struggled with Crohn's disease for most of his life, Howard had little patience for anyone in a bad mood. His tonic was laughter, and whether it was a new joke he would e-mail to friends or a funny story about that day at the office, he had the gift to make people smile.

His wife, Lori, said he loved his job because it combined his passion for cooking with a view he called "halfway to heaven."