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Seven years ago this morning (Sept. 11) I had just finished dropping my daughter off for her first day of the school year. I was headed to work when the news broke... a plane crash... wow... into a building? what the hell? We had a tv that we used for safety orientations on on the construction site. The project engineer had it tuned into either CTV or CBC. I can't remember which. I just know the picture was crap because of bad reception. We all watched. That was when I woke up. When I started to pay attention to things beyond my little bubble. That's when I started to draw clear lines between right and wrong.
Today is a day of remembrance. Not a day to remember myself though. It's a day to remember those who died for the simple act of riding on an airplane. For simply showing up to work...
Most of you know that I have a soft spot for emergency responders. Today's post isn't about them either though. It's about the hero's who flew, fought and died on United Airlines Flight 93.
From the list below, Todd Beamer was one of the heroes aboard United Flight 93 and is the one heard by the "911" operator to say "Let's Roll" before they bravely overtook the hijackers and saved countless lives by forcing the plane down in a field in Pennsylvania."
These people didn't fold up and accept their fate. They fought it and saved countless lives in the process. They weren't lib-left wimps. They fought back. They rolled. Remember that as you read their names and look at their faces. Let's Roll:
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Christian Adams, 37, from Biebelsheim, Germany, was a foreign sales manager for the German Wine Fund (Deutschen Weininstitut). He graduated from the Wine School in Germany and had a degree in marketing from the University of California at Davis. Survivors include his wife, Silke; children, Lukas and Theresa; father, Dr. Karl Adams; mother, Erika; sister, Ulrike Weyand and brother, Peter.
Lorraine G. Bay*, 58, was a flight attendant with United Airlines for 40 years. She was working her regular route at the time of the attack. Bay grew up in Levittown, Pa., and was living in East Windsor, N.J. Survivors include her husband, Erich, who says she was "a loving wife always looking out for family and friends."
Todd Beamer, 32, from Cranbury, N.J., was an account manager for Oracle Corp. Survivors include his wife, Lisa, and four children.
Alan Beaven, 48, from Hurleyville, N.Y., was an environmental lawyer. Born in New Zealand, Beaven had a legal career that spanned four continents. In England he was a law professor at Kings College, a private defense attorney and a lead prosecutor for Scotland Yard. He practiced in Portugal, Hong Kong and New York before forming a firm in San Francisco. Survivors include his wife, Kimi; daughter, Sonali; and sons, John and Chris.
Mark Bingham, 31, from San Francisco, was the owner of The Bingham Group, a public relations firm.
Deora Bodley, 20, from San Diego, was a junior at the University of Santa Clara near San Jose. She was pursuing a double major in French and psychology. Bodley volunteered in AIDS education, for the Special Olympics and for America Reads, where she helped children learn to read. Survivors include her father, Derrill; mother, Deborah; sister, Murial; stepmother, Nancy; and stepsister, Eva Rupp.
Sandra W. Bradshaw*, 38, from Greensboro, N.C., was a flight attendant with United Airlines. Following her younger sister, Bradshaw trained to become a flight attendant after graduating high school. Survivors include her husband, Phil; daughter, Alexandria; son, Shenan; a stepdaughter and other family.
Marion Ruth Britton, 53, from Brooklyn, N.Y., was an assistant regional director for the U.S. Census Bureau. She was traveling with Waleska Martinez to attend a business meeting at the time of the attack. Co-workers say she loved collecting objects and displaying them in her office.
Thomas Burnett, 38, from San Ramon, Calif., was a senior vice president and chief operating officer for Thoratec Corp., a medical research and development company. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Bloomington, Minn., after leading the football team to the state semifinals as their starting quarterback. Survivors include his wife, Deena, and three daughters.
William Joseph Cashman, 60, from West New York, N.J., was an ironworker, welder and welding teacher. In addition, he was a member of Metal Lathers Local 46 of the Ironworkers Union. A veteran of the 101st Airborne Division, Cashman also held a red belt in karate. He was on his way to an annual hiking trip in Yosemite National Park with his friend, Patrick Driscoll. Maggie Cashman says William was a "devoted and loving husband," a "true gentleman" and an "unsung hero of Flight 93." His sister, Kathleen O'Connell, says, "He was a kind and responsible person and faced any situation with courage and conviction."
Georgine Corrigan, 56, from Honolulu, was an antiques and collectibles dealer. She was returning home from a buying trip on the East Coast. "She was someone who was like a mother figure to a lot of people. She always had good advice and was always optimistic," collectibles dealer Eileen Wong said. Survivors include her daughter, Laura Brough, and brother, Robert Marisay Jr.
Patricia Cushing, 69, from Bayonne, N.J., retired from Bell Atlantic in 1994 after 25 years there. She was heading to San Francisco for a vacation with her sister-in-law, Jane C. Folger. Cushing is survived by her five children and other family.
Capt. Jason M. Dahl*, 43, from Littleton, Colo., worked for United Airlines as a flight instructor in their Denver training center. As part of the requirements to keep his flight certification current, he had scheduled himself to captain Flight 93. Dahl was born and raised in San Jose, Calif., where he learned to fly as a teenager. Friends remember Dahl as smart, unassuming and the consummate neighborhood "tool man." Survivors include his wife, Sandy and son, Matthew. Sandy says: "May he soar with the eagles and sleep with the angels. Love from family and friends."
Joseph DeLuca, 52, from Ledgewood, N.J., was a systems business consultant for Pfizer Inc. His sister, Carol Hughes, says, "He was a wonderful person, so kind and lovable, a very fair person and very giving. I was so lucky to have a brother like him."
Patrick Driscoll, 70, from Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., was a retired research director for Bell Communications. A U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, Driscoll was on his way to an annual hiking trip in Yosemite National Park with his friend, William Cashman. Survivors include his wife, Maureen; sons Stephen, Patrick and Christopher; and daughter, Pamela Gould.
Edward P. Felt, 41, from Matawan, N.J., was a technology director for BEA Systems. He was traveling on business to San Francisco. In October of 2000, Felt was awarded a U.S. patent for a software application he designed. His family says, "He loved sharing his life with family and friends." Survivors include his wife, Sandra and daughters, Adrienne and Kathryn.
Jane C. Folger, 73, from Bayonne, N.J., was a retired bank employee. She was heading to San Francisco for a vacation with her sister-in-law, Patricia Cushing.
Colleen Fraser, 51, from Elizabeth, N.J., was appointed by the governor to be chairwoman of the New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council, where she served for five years. She was also executive director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living. Born with an inherited disorder, Fraser underwent multiple childhood surgeries to allow her to walk. After being persuaded to work as a counselor for others with disabilities, she started her lifelong advocacy for the rights of disabled people in New Jersey and elsewhere in the U.S. Fraser, who had a lifelong fear of flying, was headed to a seminar on grant writing. She is survived by her sister, Christine.
Andrew Garcia, 62, from Portola Valley, Calif., was an industrial products salesman. He had worked as a grocery clerk, postal carrier, air traffic controller and as a purchasing manager for United Airlines, where he met his wife. In 1991, Garcia and his wife started a small company, the CINCO Group. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; son, Andrew Jr.; daughters, Kelly and Audrey; granddaughter, Madison, and grandson, Andrew.
Jeremy Glick, 31, from Hewlett, N.J., was a managing director for Credit Suisse Boston. The University of Rochester graduate was also a national collegiate judo champion. Survivors include his wife, Lyz; daughter, Emerson; parents; three brothers and two sisters.
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Kristin Gould, 65, from New York City, was a freelance medical journalist. She researched early contributors to the fields of science and medicine and could speak Latin and ancient Greek. Gould was heading to San Francisco to visit friends and tour the wine country. She is survived by her daughter, Allison Vadhan.
Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, 38, from San Rafael, Calif., and originally from Houston, was a salesperson for Good Housekeeping magazine. She was returning from her grandmother's funeral in New Jersey. Survivors include her husband, Jack, father, Larry, and a sister. "Lauren had a great spirit and was a very unique person," her family says. "We are fortunate to have her as a part of our family, and we miss her so very much."
Wanda A. Green*, 49, from Linden, N.J., worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines for 30 years. She was planning to visit family in Oakland during her layover. Survivors include her mother, brother, twin sister and two children.
Donald Greene, 47, from Greenwich, Conn., was executive vice president and CEO of Safe Flight Instrument Corp. His father founded the company, which manufactures airplane safety equipment, in the 1940s. Greene was also a licensed pilot himself. Greene was on his way to a camping reunion with his three brothers. His wife, Claudette, says, "Charlie (now age 14), Jody (now age 10) and Claudette miss him and love him."
Linda Gronlund, 46, from Greenwood Lake, N.Y., worked in environmental compliance for BMW.
Richard J. Guadagno, 39, from Eureka, Calif., was the manager of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where he spent most of 2001 supervising work on a new visitor's center. "He was looking forward to showing off 'his' refuge," a co-worker said. He had completed federal law enforcement training, was a stained-glass artist and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, studying the stars and working in his greenhouse. He was on his way home after visiting family in New Jersey (he was raised in Trenton) and Vermont, including attending his grandmother's 100th birthday. His aunt, Josephine G. Landwirth, says, "Rich was caring about plants, vegetables, fruit, birds, animals, land and people. He was a joy to be with — plus being a great cook."
Leroy W. Homer Jr.*, 36, from Marlton, N.J., was the first officer on United Airlines Flight 93. He was an Air Force reservist and a recruiter for the Air Force Academy. Homer's mother, llsa, says, "Leroy was humble, compassionate, dignified, gentle and very loving." He also is survived by his wife, Melodie, and a daughter.
Toshiya Kuge, 20, from Nishimidoriguoska, Japan, was a student at Waseda University. In 1999, he graduated from Kitano High School, where he was the goalkeeper for the school's football team. Kuge was on his way home after a tour of the U.S., where he wanted to attend college. Survivors include his parents, who live in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, in Japan.
CeeCee Ross Lyles*, 33, from Fort Pierce, Fla., was a flight attendant for United Airlines. Before joining the airline in late 2000, she was a police officer for the city of Fort Pierce, where she met her husband, Lorne, also an officer. Survivors include her husband; sons, Jerome Smith, Jevon Castrillo, Justin Lyles and Jordan Lyles; her aunt, Carrie Ross, who raised her; sister, Mareya Schnieder; and birth mother Shirley Adderly. Son Jerome says: "She was the most strong and loving mother anyone could ask for."
Hilda Marcin, 79, from, Mt. Olive, N.J., was a retired special education instructional aide. Her family says: "She loved her family, life and inspired all people she touched."
Waleska Martinez, 37, was an automation specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau living in Jersey City, N.J. Originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico, she was traveling with co-worker Marion Britton to attend a meeting. Her father, Juan R. Martinez, says, "My daughter was warm, caring and loving, not only to the family, but to everyone near her. She was so special. My life is not the same after 9/11. I keep on living because I am an American fighting man."
Nicole Carol Miller, 21, from San Jose, Calif., was a student at West Valley College. A sophomore on the dean's list, she was trying to decide between majoring in business or communications as well as what four-year college to attend. She was an outdoors and exercise buff, played softball in high school and later taught body-sculpting classes to IBM workers. Miller was returning home after a last-minute trip to the East Coast with a friend. Her sister, Tiffney de Vries, says, "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." Survivors include her mother, Cathy Stefani; sister, Tiffney and other family.
Louis Joseph Nacke II, 42, from New Hope, Pa., was a distribution center director for Kay-Bee Toys. He was on his way to San Francisco to meet a supplier. Survivors include his wife, Pat, and sons, Joseph and Louis.
Donald Peterson, 66, from Spring Lake, N.J., was the retired president of Continental Electric Co, where he worked his entire career. He had an electrical engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master's degree from Rutgers University. Peterson's retirement years were spent as a Baptist missionary in the West Indies. He also volunteered at a local addiction recovery program. Peterson was on his way to attend an annual family reunion at Yosemite National Park with his wife, Jean. Survivors include his brothers, Richard and Bob; sister, Ellen P. Morris; sons David, Hamilton and Royster; and stepdaughters, Jennifer, Grace and Catherine Price.
Jean Peterson, 55, from Spring Lake, N.J., was a retired nurse. Peterson earned her nursing degree from the University of Rochester and her master's degree in education from Columbia University. She spent her retirement as a Baptist missionary in the West Indies. Peterson was on her way to attend an annual family reunion at Yosemite National Park with her husband, Donald. Survivors include her parents, Walter and Virginia Hoadley; brother, Richard; daughters, Jennifer, Grace and Catherine Price; stepsons, David, Hamilton and Royster Peterson; and granddaughter, Charlotte.
Mark "Mickey" Rothenberg, 52, from Scotch Plains, N.J., was the owner of MDR Global Resources. His family says, "Mickey was a loving husband and father. He was intelligent, charming and hardworking."
Christine Ann Snyder, 32, from Kailua, Hawaii, was an arborist for Outdoor Circle, a forestry organization. She had married her husband, Ian Pescaia, three months before the attack. Her family says, "She was outgoing, caring, loving and tried to make this world a better place. Christine was our angel — she is greatly missed."
John Talignani, 74, from New York, N.Y., was retired. He had worked for 20 years as a bartender and steward at the Palm Restaurant in Manhattan. Taligani was heading to San Francisco to claim the body of his stepson, Alan Zykofsky, who had died in a car accident during his honeymoon. Survivors include his sister, Alice Bertorelli, and two stepsons, Mitchell and Glenn Zykofsky.
Honor Elizabeth Wainio, 27, from Baltimore, Md., worked for Discovery Channel stores, where she was one of the youngest district managers. In April 2001 she moved to Watchung, N.J., after receiving a promotion. Wainio was headed to a business meeting in San Francisco after returning from a European vacation. Survivors include her father, Ben; mother, Mary White; stepmother, Esther Heymann; brother, Tom, and sister, Sarah.
Deborah Anne Jacobs Welsh*, 49, from New York City, was a flight attendant for United Airlines. Born in suburban Philadelphia, Welsh had been a flight attendant for more than 25 years and had worked for United the last four. Welsh lived with her husband, Patrick, and their Dalmatian. She was a member of the choir at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle. Her mother, Lillian E. Jacobs, says, "Debbie had a great sense of humor and a lot of caring and compassion."
- Names marked with an asteric (*) denote flight crew.
- Photos and bio's stolen from discovery.com
This is an annual post.
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