How It Was: Voices of 9/11

Recordings of 9-1-1 calls show how New York City's emergency operators and dispatchers did their jobs on 9/11.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/how-it-was-voices-of-911

In Memory of Daniel Mark Lewin. The first victim of 9/11.

Daniel Mark Lewin was 31 years old and from Denver, Colorado. Daniel was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11.

On September 11, 2001, Daniel was traveling on American Airlines Flight 11, heading from Boston to Los Angeles. He was seated in business class in seat 9B, close to 3 hijackers Mohamed Atta, Abdulaziz al-Omari and al Suqami. It was first reported that he had been shot by al Suqami, although this assertion was later changed to a stabbing. According to the 9/11 Commission, he was stabbed by one of the hijackers, probably Satam al Suqami, who was seated directly behind him. This may have occurred when Daniel tried to confront one of the hijackers in front of him, not realising that al Suqami was sitting just behind him.

Daniel was identified as the first victim of the September 11 attacks.

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.

Flight crew and passengers of Flight 93

In Memory of Elaine Cillo

Elaine Cillo was 40 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. Elaine worked for Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. on the 97th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, at 8:46am, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the northern facade of the North Tower ripping a path across floors 94 to 98, directly into the office of Marsh & McLennan Companies.

Life on Ground Zero - The Survivor Tree

The Survivor Tree is a callery pear tree. It was recovered from the rubble at the World Trade Center site in October 2001, long after recovery workers expected to find anything alive at the site. At the time of its recovery it was 8 feet tall, badly burned, and it had only one living branch. Prior to the attacks, the tree had lived at the World Trade Center site for several decades. It was originally planted in the 1970s in the area near buildings four and five, close to Church Street.

The tree has been looked after by several different people over the years.

In December 2010, the Survivor Tree, now grown to a height of 30 feet, was returned to the World Trade Center site.

The tree is a symbol of hope and rebirth.

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 Carol Keyes Demitz

Carol Keyes Demitz was 49 years old and from New York, New York. (Born: Portsmouth, Virginia).

Carol was senior vice president, chief corporate counsel and secretary of Fiduciary Trust International Company in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

When Carol got home from Fiduciary Trust, she did not reach for a martini. She went directly to play with Annie, her 4 year-old. "I could tell what room the girls were in by the squealing and laughter," said Fred Brewer, her husband. "Carol would be playing hide-and-seek. Carol was thin and could squeeze herself into the most amazing little cubbyholes. You could hear Annie squealing when she found her."

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 Danielle Kousoulis

Danielle Kousoulis was 29 years old and from New York, NY. (Born: Woodbury, New Jersey). Danielle worked on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower as a vice president for Cantor Fitzgerald.

On September 11, 2001, Danielle was at her office at 8:46 a.m. when the hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the tower.

Danielle's boyfriend, Chris Mills, spoke to her on his mobile phone from outside the centre after the aircraft had trapped her. "I could hear people running around in the background - there was pandemonium. I said: 'Get out, just get out of there', but I lost contact. Then I saw the South Tower fall down and I had to run for my life."

Danielle was still there, trapped, at 10:15 a.m. when she called her boyfriend back. Fifteen minutes later, her building collapsed.

"Nothing of Danielle was ever found, so I feel that Ground Zero is Danielle's final resting place, and it is important to me." (Eleni, Danielle's sister).

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.

Never Forget - 15 Years Later

People observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower on September 11, 2001, by the North Pool at World Trade Center in New York on September 11.

Two of the passenger jets brought down the Twin Towers of New York City's World Trade Center, another hit the Pentagon outside Washington and a fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania when passengers aboard that flight fought back against the hijackers.

At Ground Zero in New York where the towers once stood, the annual reading of the list of 2,983 people killed at the three sites begis at 8:39 a.m.
It takes more than 190 people three hours to read the list alphabetically.

Moments of silence are observed at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m., the times of impact for the four planes, and again at 9:59 a.m. and 10:28 a.m., the times that the South Tower and then the North Tower fell.

Let us Never Forget them.

Never Forget - 11 Years Later

The National September 11 Memorial, built directly over the Twin Towers site, invokes a feeling of peace and serenity amidst the everyday chaos of New York with 400 white oaks and two illuminated reflecting pools.

The memorial officially opened to the public on September 12, 2011, and the museum opens on September 11, 2012.

The names of 2,983 victims are inscribed on 76 bronze plates attached to the parapet walls which form the edges of the memorial pools.

Never Forget - Years Later

"A recommended read for any true story fanatic and anyone who would like an insiders perspective into the tragedy. It definately made me phone home and tell my family how much I love them, hitting home that anything could happen to any of us at any time."

Details:
At 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, fourteen thousand people were inside the World Trade Center just starting their workdays, but over the next 102 minutes, each would become part of a drama for the ages. Of the millions of words written about this wrenching day, most were told from the outside looking in. New York Times reporters Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn draw on hundreds of interviews with rescuers and survivors, thousands of pages of oral histories, and countless phone, e-mail, and emergency radio transcripts to tell the story of September 11 from the inside looking out.

Dwyer and Flynn have woven an epic and unforgettable account of the struggle, determination, and grace of the ordinary men and women who made 102 minutes count as never before.

Never Forget - 11 Years Later

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 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 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 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).