In Memory of Paul Ortiz, Jr.

Paul Ortiz, Jr. was 21 years old and from New York, NY.

On September 11, 2001, Paul had been on the top floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, setting up monitors and computers for a convention at the Windows on the World restaurant.

Moments after American Airlines Flight 11 hit the tower, Paul called his father to say he was fine.

Paul Ortiz, Sr. remembers the conversation. "He asked, 'Dad, did you hear what happened? A plane hit the World Trade Center'. And I said, 'how do you know?' "Because I'm here,' he said." Ortiz Sr. said his son told him not to worry, that firefighters were on their way. That was the last time they spoke. "I was sure he had managed to get out. We waited, waited and waited, and we never saw him again. I now understand that he never had a chance," he said.

Paul's body was never identified.

Paul was devoted to his wife, Star, and their infant daughter, Rebecca.

"Hi. As you may know, I was once married to this wonderful man. He sure was a gift from god. I can't explain to everyone of you how much this man meant to me. He is my world and my love. Even though i've moved on, he still remains in my heart. It's like that saying, "You never know what you have till you've lost it." Star (Paul's wife)

In Memory of Beth Ann Quigley

Beth Ann Quigley was 25 years old and from New York, New York. (Born: Red Bank, New Jersey). Beth worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Although Beth was very happy with her position at Cantor Fitzgerald, she knew that continuing formal education was critical to her long-term success. She began a MBA program at New York University's Stern School of Business only weeks before September 11, 2001.

The Beth Ann Quigley Memorial Scholarship awards go to top eighth-grade female students at St. Leo the Great School. "We give the girls a letter that tells them about Beth. The winners get to know Beth that way and become more aware of what happened," said Beth's mother, "We're pleased with the scholarship program. We get back beautiful thank you notes and the first girl who received the award nearly 10 years ago just received a Master's degree."


Beth's granite stone located at the Middletown World Trade Center Memorial Gardens in New Jersey.

In Memory of Diane M. Simmons

Diane M. Simmons was 53 years old and from Great Falls, Virginia. Diane was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77.

On September 11, 2001, Diane and her husband, George, boarded American Airlines Flight 77 at Dulles International Airport headed for Los Angeles, the first leg of a journey to Hawaii. Diane's father had recently died, and she was going to spread her father's ashes alongside her mother's.

In Memory of Virginia May Jablonski

Virginia May Jablonski was 49 years old and from Matawan, New Jersey. (Born Brooklyn, New York).

Virginia was assistant vice president for Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc on the 94th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Virginia and her husband Barry loved to travel. Any other year, they would have been on vacation in September but in 2001 they held off until October to celebrate their birthdays.

"She was the best," Barry said. "I miss her a lot."

In Memory of Scott Larsen

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

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

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


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

In Memory of Jennifer De Jesus

Jennifer De Jesus was 23 years old and from New York, NY. Jennifer worked for Morgan Stanley on the 59th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

"Hello, My dear friend and Co-worker. I remember calling you when I saw the plane hit tower two to make sure you were out of there but I never got a response back. I never forget how much fun we used to have and how much we laughed. You had the most beautiful smile I have ever seen and I always told you, thank you for the good memories I have of you. RIP my dear friend and hopefully will see each other one day to have lunch together. You are so missed!" Maritza Baez.

"Why can't you just come back? I had sooo much I needed to learn from you. These questions come in my head every passing day. I miss you, mom! And I love you sooo much! COME BACK! You are dearly missed." Jacinda De Jesus (Jennifer's daughter).

In Memory of Orio Joseph Palmer

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

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

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

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

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

In Memory of Sarah Khan

Sarah Khan was 32 years old and from Queens, New York. (Born: Guyana). Sarah worked as a cafeteria manager for Forte Food which ran the Cantor Fitzgerald dining rooms on the 101st floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 and crashed it into the northern façade of the North Tower, striking between the 93rd and 99th floors.

Sarah's body was never identified in the rubble. That still pulls at her husband, Nazam Khan, who thinks it helps explain why the Trade Center site is still so compelling for him. "She loved the view," he said. "It was beautiful."

In Memory of Colleen L. Fraser

Colleen L. Fraser was 51 years old and from Elizabeth, New Jersey. Colleen was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93.

Colleen was born with an inherited bone disorder that kept her height at 4 feet, 6 inches, and made it a little harder for her to get around. However, she was a nationally-known advocate for the disabled and helped draft the "Americans with Disabilities Act."

On September 11, 2001, Colleen was flying to a grant-writing seminar in Reno, Nevada, hoping to become more effective as Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living.

In Memory of Charles J. Mauro

Charles J. Mauro was 38 years old and from Staten Island, New York. (Born: Brooklyn, New York).

Charles was the restaurant purchasing director for Windows on the World on the 106th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, everyone present in the restaurant when American Airlines Flight 11 penetrated the North Tower survived the plane's impact but perished either because of smoke inhalation during the ensuing conflagration, jumping or falling to their deaths, or the eventual collapse of the tower 102 minutes later, as all passages to below the impact zone were blocked.

"Charlie Mauro, my husband, my life was the most loving, giving and caring person you'd ever have the pleasure to meet. He filled my life with hope and happiness. His death leaves a deep scar in my heart that can never be replaced. He was my best friend, and life will never be the same without him. He touched a thousand lives, and we are all the better for it. God bless him wherever he may be. I hope he can rest in peace. I miss you, Pumpkinhead. All my love to you forever". (Charles's wife Barbara).

In Memory of Lisa Fenn Gordenstein

Lisa Fenn Gordenstein was 41 years old and from Needham, Massachusetts. (Born: Boston, Massachusetts). Lisa was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Lisa awoke early to leave for the airport. Lisa was traveling on business on American Airlines Flight 11. But before she left her home, at 5 am, she insisted on waking her two daughters, Samantha and Carly, and kissing them goodbye. "Thank God she did," her husband said.

At 08:46 the aircraft crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

The night before, Lisa's husband found a note that his wife had slipped under his office door. It was a poem about maintaining a positive attitude no matter what happens in life.

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 Laura Gilly

Laura Gilly was 32 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. Laura worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 103rd floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Gilly had traveled the world as a flight attendant for Tower Airlines. Gilly left the airline in 2000 and took a job in technical support at Cantor Fitzgerald.

"We spent so much time worrying about her flying here and there, and to have her go like this: killed by a plane as she sat in an office building. All she wanted was a real job at a desk in a building." Phyllis Gilly (Gilly's mother).

"She had such a positive outlook. If you were worried about something stupid, she'd say, 'Just get over it. I have a choice to be happy or not, and I am going to choose to be happy.'" Danielle Hoffman (Gilly's friend).

In Memory of Bernard C. Brown II

Bernard C. Brown II was 11 years old and from Washington, D.C. (Born: Tampa, Florida). Bernard was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77.

Bernard was clever, a quick wit, the kind of boy who kept his teachers on their toes. Estella Cleveland, who taught his fifth-grade class at Leckie Elementary School in Southeast Washington, loved him.

"He used to give the fourth-grade teacher fits. But he turned it around last year. Everybody noticed it," Cleveland said.

That's why Cleveland gave Bernard's name to her best friend at Leckie, sixth-grade teacher Hilda Taylor, when Taylor asked whom she should take on a 4 day National Geographic trip to California.

"He was fun-loving," she said. "He was the joy of the class."

Sinita Brown (Bernard's mother), recalls September 11, 2001:

"Everybody was calling me at my job because they knew my husband worked at the Pentagon". A golf outing had Bernard Sr. out of the office that day. But Sinita Brown's relief quickly turned to grief when she learned it was her son's flight that hit the Pentagon.

Remembering 9/11: 10 Year Commemorative Collection

On the 10-year anniversary of September 11, 2001, National Geographic looks back at the tragic events that redefined our nation, revealing emotional stories of loss and the spirit of hope.

The collection includes new programs including: 9/11: Where Were You, Guiliani's 9/11 and Witness: DC 9/11, featuring the powerful, immersive stories of people who were intricately associated with and impacted by the events - from the highest echelons trying to stop the attacks to the ordinary people caught in the middle. Also included in the collection is the acclaimed 3-hour Inside 9/11, the first documentary to provide a comprehensive account of the events to shed light on how 9/11 happened—from the earliest stage of terrorist assembly to the breakdowns in the CIA, the FBI and airport security.

Remembering 9/11: 10-Year Commemorative Collection features powerful footage and first-hand accounts to remember those who were lost, to shed light on how 9/11 happened and to celebrate the spirit of hope.

In Memory of Sita Nermalla Sewnarine

Sita Nermalla Sewnarine was 37 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. (Born: Berbice, Guyana). Sita worked as a disaster recovery agent for Fiduciary Trust Company International on the 97th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.


Sita Nermalla Sewnarine sat at her desk in the WTC.

Sita was a single mother to 5 year old Vicky. Sita tried to give her daughter the best of everything, working long hours in the information technology department of Fiduciary Trust, yet still finding time to take her to ballet and swimming classes, and on vacations to Florida.

"MOMMY! I miss you soooooooo much. I will always LUVVV you for the rest of my life! Victoria (Sita's daughter).

In Memory of Lesley Anne Thomas

Lesley Anne Thomas was 40 years old and from Hoboken, New Jersey. (Born: Summersby, Australia). Lesley worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Lesley's husband retrieved a message on a mobile phone from his wife. In a calm voice, Lesley said the building had been struck by a plane and there was total chaos in the office. She was calling to say she loved him and that she was all right and would see him when it was over.

Lesley's husband rushed to the World Trade Center. He arrived in the vicinity as the building in which his wife worked collapsed. No remains have ever been found of Lesley.

There is a star named Lesley Anne Thomas in the constellation of Centaurus.

In Memory of John Kevin McAvoy

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

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

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

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 Catherine Fairfax MacRae

Catherine Fairfax MacRae was 23 years old and from New York, NY. Catherine worked as a research analyst for Fred Alger Management, Inc. on the 93rd floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

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

Catherine's father described his daughter as "bright and beautiful, gentle and kind, the epitome of all that is good in the world."

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 Jean Hoadley Peterson

Jean Hoadley Peterson was 55 years old and from Spring Lake, N.J. (Born: Evanston, Illinois). Jean was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93.

On September 11, 2001, Jean and her husband Donald Arthur Peterson, were on their way to a family reunion in Yosemite National Park. They were scheduled to take a later flight but at the airport they changed to Flight 93 because it was less crowded. They sat in seats 14A and 14C.

Jean and Donald were church and community volunteers, and had lived a life of quiet service to alcoholics and addicts, women with crisis pregnancies and residents of impoverished nations.

In terms of coping over the last 10 years, Jean's three daughters issued a joint statement, "We have continued to live our lives in a manner that we believe would make Mom and Don proud. We get together frequently and are a great source of support for each other."

In Memory of Craig Scott Amundson

Craig Scott Amundson was 28 years old and from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. (Born: Cedar Rapids, Iowa). Graig was assigned to the Army's Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel as a graphic artist.

Craig was on active duty under general Maude as a Specialist working at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

Craig is buried in Section 64, Site 4760, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.


(Letter to George Bush from Craig's wife Amber.)

Dear President Bush,

I do not like unnecessary death. I do not want anyone to use my husband's death to perpetuate violence. So, Mr. President, when you say that vengeance is needed so that the victims of 9/11 do not die in vain, could you please exclude Craig Scott Amundson from your list of victims used to justify further attacks? I do not want my children to grow up thinking that the reason so many people died following the Sept. 11 attack was because of their father's death. I want to show them a world where we love and not hate, where we forgive and not seek out vengeance. Please Mr. Bush, help me honor my husband. He drove to the Pentagon with a Visualize World Peace bumper sticker on his car every morning. He raised our children to understand humanity and not fight to get what you want. When we buried my husband, an American flag was laid over his casket. My children believe the American flag represents their dad. Please let that representation be one of love, peace and forgiveness. I am begging you, for the sake of humanity and my children, to stop killing. Please find a nonviolent way to bring justice to the world.

Sincerely, Amber Amundson.
(Amber Amdunson's letter was written on November 24, 2001.)

In Memory of Jennifer Lynn Mazzotta

Jennifer Lynn Mazzotta was 23 years old and from Maspeth, New York. Jennifer worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Jennifer was one of Cantor Fitzgerald's youngest traders and engaged to Anthony Roman, a student at the police academy.

"They were on a roller coaster of making their plans," Jennifer's mother said. "He was graduating in February. They were looking for a house. Their wedding was in the summer. They each were saving."

In Memory of Stacey Leigh Sanders

Stacey Leigh Sanders was 25 years old and from New York, NY. Stacey worked for Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. on 96th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, Stacey had arrived at her office just minutes before a plane hit her tower.

Richard Barry Ross, was among the passengers of American Airlines Flight 11 when it breached the World Trade Centre's north tower at 8.46am. Its nose entered at the 96th floor, where his daughter's best friend, Stacey Leigh Sanders, was at her desk.

"She went out of her way to make other people feel comfortable," Stacey's father said. "With her friends, she would always end their conversations with, 'I love you.' Many of them learned to say that."

In Memory of Laura Angilletta

Laura Angilletta was 23 years old and from Staten Island, New York. Laura worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 101st floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, Mrs. Garbarino (Laura's sister) turned on the television and watched the events unfold at the World Trade Center.

She started screaming and then she started calling every number on the 101st floor where her sister worked. She knew all those numbers because she was on maternity leave from the same company. She sat right behind Laura, who had just joined the company in April as a purchase and sales clerk in the corporate bonds division of operations.


Amid the crowd at the the 9/11 Memorial World Trade Center site, a man gazes up at his sign, with a photo of Laura Angilletta.

In Memory of Stacey Lynn Peak

Stacey Lynn Peak was 36 years old and from New York, N.Y. Stacey worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.


This picture was taken on Stacey's first day with Cantor Fitzgerald in New York City in 1999. The Twin Towers are pictured in the backdrop.

Shortly before 9am on September 11, 2001, a confused and frightened Stacey managed to place a brief call to her then 76 year old mother, Bobbie Peak, in Tell City.

Stacey didn't know a plane had struck the building, but she knew that a fire, a bad fire, had broken out. Smoke was everywhere. She was trapped and she didn't know if she would be able to get out. Her mother could hear the sounds of chaos on the other end of the line. Stacey then told her mother one final time that she loved 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 Steven Paul Chucknick

Steven Paul Chucknick loved Christmas.

"Well, the leaves have finally let go and have come down. And today, to my surprise, I woke up to snow. Is that a gift to me from you? I hope so, because it made me smile. I put up the Christmas lights outside today. Well, it doesn't look as good as when you did it, but I tried. I miss you so much. Christmas is so lonely without you. I miss waking up on Christmas morning and watching you and Steven opening your presents. I never knew who was the kid, you or Steven. You were always happy with whatever. I still remember and cherish the Christmas gifts you gave me on our last Christmas together. I will cherish them always. I miss so much the Christmas ornament you bought me every year. Steven and I still buy the son and dad ornament every year. It's what Steven wants. I asked him how long he wants to keep buying the dad ornament, and his answer was, "Forever." And we will. You will always be the best part of our Christmas, even though you aren't here in body. I love you, my Angel."

My heart to yours forever,
Your wife Barbara.


Steven Paul Chucknick was 44 years old and from Old Bridge, New Jersey. (Born: Staten Island, New York). Steven worked as vice president of communications and facilities for Euro Brokers Inc. on 84th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

In his position as the vice president at Euro Brokers, he was the one on the walkie-talkie, organizing employees for evacuation. That post, coupled with his duty as a floor fire marshal, put Steven as one of the last people to leave the floor. Most heartbreaking for his wife is that 240 of the 300 people who worked for her husband's company did escape, and remember seeing him. They tell her what a hero he was, calming anxious employees, making them feel better.

"I wish he would have run out. But he would have never left if even one person was still behind. He was always putting other people first," Barbara Chucknick.

Christmas Tributes at 9/11 Memorial

Source: Fox News.

With the first Christmas approaching since the 9/11 Memorial opened last September 11, holiday greens, wreaths, red berries, bows, and Christmas stockings are appearing to mark the season.

There's the little glass jar filled with sand from a special Oahu beach, left for the young Hawaii native, and the collection of red cotton scarves for "the man in the red bandana" who led so many others to safety but never made it out himself.

Elsewhere in the tapestry of tributes left at the 9/11 Memorial are notes in children's handwriting saying things like "Daddy, we miss you," first responder badges from around the world, family pictures, flags, sealed letters, flight attendant wings, rosaries, even a CD of hits by The Who.

Maile Rachel Hale, for example, was a 26-year-old Honolulu native and Wesleyan graduate working in the financial industry in Boston who was attending a conference at Windows on the World on the morning of September 11, 2001.

Next to her name, visitors left a collection of what she loved: a glass jar of sand with a label saying it was from Malaekahana Beach, a pair of ballet slippers to reflect her passion for dance, a small bag of M&Ms because she was a chocolate fanatic, several leis, a collection of notes and a soccer ball signed "For Maile from Elise."

At Welles Crowther's name, it's the red bandanas – at least three of them. On 9/11, when Flight 175 hit the South Tower at the 78th floor, a number of survivors said a young man appeared with a red bandana around his face and personally escorted or carried them off that floor and got them started to floors below. Then he kept going back up to help other people.

For LeRoy W. Homer, Jr., co-pilot of Flight 93, which crashed in a Pennsylvania field, someone left a small balsa wood airplane with a paper flower attached.

And Who fan John Joseph Ryan was honored with a CD of their songs inscribed "I think of you every time I hear your favorites! Miss you! PR"

At the Survivor Tree, a callery pear so named because it survived the 9/11 attack, then was nursed back to health and replanted – someone left a red-ribboned wreath with badges from eight different first responder units, some as far afield as Wyoming and Rhode Island.