Never Forgotten: Lauren Grandcolas

Six days from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Lauren Grandcolas, eleven days after turning thirty-eight, woke up on the East Coast on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, with just one goal in mind:  Getting home.  She lived in San Rafael, California with her husband, Jack.  Born in Bloomington, Indiana, this Hoosier was a Longhorn.  She earned her degree from the University of Texas-Austin. It was there where she and Jack first met. She was three months pregnant with the couple's first child. She had recently left her position at Good Housekeeping magazine so she could focus her energy on writing a book intended to inspire women to follow their dreams.  

She had been in New Jersey for her grandmother's funeral.  On what proved to be the final morning of her life, she arrived at Newark Airport earlier than expected. So early in fact that instead of waiting around for the flight she had been scheduled to take, she took a seat on United's 8:00 am flight from Newark to San Francisco. She called Jack, who was still asleep in California (where it was not yet 5:00 am), and left a message for him on their answering machine, letting him know she would be home earlier than expected. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the 8:00 am United Airlines flight from Newark to San Francisco was United Flight 93.  

At 9:39:21 am, after Flight 93 had been hijacked, Lauren Grandcolas demonstrated the grace under pressure that those who she loved and who loved her most of all said had been a hallmark of her life.  She called Jack, leaving another message on their answering machine, "Jack, pick up sweetie, can you hear me? Okay. I just want to tell you, there's a little problem with the plane. I'm fine. I'm totally fine. I just want to tell you how much I love you."

Although Lauren Grandcolas died before she could complete her book, her sisters did. They published You Can Do It: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls. 

Forever thirty-eight. Forever loved. Forever remembered.

-AK

Never Forgotten: Betty Ong

One week from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001.  A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning.  It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day.  It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years.  It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Betty Ong, forty-five, worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines for fourteen years. She was based at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts.  On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, she was working American Airlines Flight 11, which was bound for Los Angeles, California, and which of course never came anywhere close to reaching its destination. 

Betty Ong is considered by many as the first hero of September 11. Rightly so.  Flight 11 was hijacked shortly after takeoff.  Betty Ong was the person on-board who first reported the hijacking to someone on the ground.  She telephoned American Airlines reservations agents in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and alerted them what had happened and what was happening on the plane. Under impossible circumstances, she remained calm, cool, and collected. During a twenty-three-minute call, she provided information that not only alerted people not flying on Flight 11 that America was under attack, but also helped inform the decision to shut down America's skies.  

Forever forty-five.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK  

Never Forgotten: Peter Teague Milano

Eight days from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001.  A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning.  It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day.  It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years.  It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Peter Teague Milano, forty-three years old, was at his desk on the 104th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001.  Mr. Milano worked at Cantor Fitzgerald as a corporate bond broker. Tragically, when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the North Tower, he and his Cantor Fitzgerald colleagues were trapped above the impact zone and unable to escape. 

He and his wife, Patti, were the proud parents of two children, Peter Jr. and Jessica, who were sixteen and thirteen respectively at the time of his death. The Milanos lived in Middletown Township, New Jersey.   

Forever forty-three.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK  

Never Forgotten: FDNY FF Gary P. Geidel

Nine days from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001.  A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning.  It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day.  It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years.  It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

FDNY Firefighter Gary P. Geidel, forty-four years old, was approaching his 20th anniversary as a member of the FDNY.  Retirement was weeks way. He was assigned to Rescue 1 in Midtown Manhattan. On September 11, 2001, he was working overtime. His wife, Mathilda, reported that his quest was to buy a white farmhouse on three acres of land in Greenville, N.Y., where he, Mathilda, and their daughter, Mathilda Charlotte, were going to live when FF Geidel retired. Tragically, he never had the chance to retire. On that terrible Tuesday morning, he gave his life saving innocents at the World Trade Center.  

Prior to joining the FDNY, Gary Geidel served his nation as a United States Marine.  Upon his discharge from the Corps following his four-year hitch, he joined the FDNY.  

Forever forty-four.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK  

Never Forgotten: FDNY Lt. Joseph G. Leavey

Ten days from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001.  A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning.  It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day.  It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years.  It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Joseph G. Leavey, forty-five years old, grew up in the Inwood section of Manhattan. He attended high school at Lew Alcindor's Alma Mater, Power Memorial Academy, where he was the class valedictorian in 1973. After high school, he earned his degree from Manhattan College's School of Engineering and after graduation in 1977, he pursued a career in civil engineering. 

As a child, he had aspired to become a member of the FDNY. In 1982, he realized his childhood dream. He was initially assigned to Engine 23 and then Ladder 4 in Midtown Manhattan. In February 1998, he was promoted to Lieutenant. Lt. Leavey then was assigned to Ladder 15 in Lower Manhattan. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, he was among the first members of the FDNY to respond to the World Trade Center.  He died there rescuing innocents. 

Lt. Leavey lived in Pelham, New York, with his wife, Carole, and the couple's two children, Brian and Caitlin, who were sixteen and ten respectively at the time of his death. His stepdaughter, Kerri, who was twenty-six at the time of his death, lived in Manhattan. Kerri had gotten married on September 9, 2000. Lt. Leavey proudly performed the role of giving her away.  

Forever forty-five.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY FF Michael Paul Ragusa

Eleven days from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001.  A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Michael Paul Ragusa, twenty-nine years old, spent seven years on the waiting list before joining the FDNY in 1999. He was assigned to Engine Company 250 in Brooklyn. On September 11, 2001, he responded to the World Trade Center with Engine Company 279, from Red Hook, Brooklyn. He was killed while saving innocents. 

FF Ragusa was one of 343 FDNY firefighters killed on September 11, 2001.  On September 8, 2003, he was the final one of the 343 to be laid to rest. 

Forever twenty-nine.  Forever loved.  Forever appreciated.

-AK

Never Forgotten: Joseph J. Pycior, Jr.

Twelve days from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001.  A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Joseph J. Pycior, Jr., thirty-nine years old, spent approximately half of his life serving this nation as a member of the United States Navy.  He served on the aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, and was a veteran of Desert Storm.  For him, the United States Navy was the family business. His uncle, his father, and his grandfather were all Navy veterans.   

On the morning of September 11, 2001, he was working at the Pentagon. He was an Aviation Warfare Systems Operator, First Class.  His Navy career was nearing its end.  He was just months away from retirement, at which time he was ready to begin his new career teaching history to middle school students. He and his wife, Terri, had two sons, Joseph, III, and Robbie. 

Forever thirty-nine.  Forever loved.  Forever appreciated. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Catherine Fairfax MacRae

Thirteen days from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001.  A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning.  It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day.  It is the duty to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years.  It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Catherine Fairfax MacRae, twenty-three years old, graduated from Princeton University in 2000 with her Bachelor's degree in Economics.  After graduation, she began her career at Fred Alger Management as a research analyst.  She was in her office on the 93rd floor of the North Tower on September 11, 2001, when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the building.   

At the time of her death, Catherine Fairfax MacRae was dating Andrew Caspersen, who was attending law school at Harvard University.  She was survived by her parents, Cameron and Ann, and her younger sister, Annie.  

Forever twenty-three.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK

Never Forgotten: Christine Ann Snyder

Two weeks from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001.  A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning.  It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day.  It is the duty to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years.  It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Christine Ann Snyder, thirty-two years old, lived in Kailua, Hawaii.  She graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and had, in June 2001, married her high-school sweetheart, Ian Pescaia.  

She worked for the final six years of her life for The Outdoor Circle, one of Hawaii's oldest non-profit environmental organizations, as a certified arborist and project manager for landscapes and planting.  On the morning of September 11, 2001, she was a passenger on United Flight 93, beginning the long journey home following what had been an impromptu first-time visit to New York City.  She had been on the East Coast attending the American Forestry Conference in Washington, D.C.  Among the attractions she had visited on Monday, September 10, 2001, was the World Trade Center.  

Forever thirty-two.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY FF Joseph Hunter

Fifteen days from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001.  A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning.  It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day.  It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years.  It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Joseph Gerard Hunter, thirty-one years old, was just eighteen days shy of his thirty-second birthday when he was killed at the World Trade Center while saving others on September 11, 2001.  At the age of 18, he joined the South Hempstead Volunteer Fire Department.  In 1994, he graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. 

He joined the FDNY in 1996.  He was assigned to Squad 288 in Maspeth, Queens.  He was one of six members of Squad 288 inside the South Tower rescuing civilians when the building collapsed.  His helmet was found in the rubble of Ground Zero. It is now displayed in the National September 11 Museum. 

Forever thirty-one.  Forever loved.  Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Roko Camaj

Sixteen days from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning.  It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day.  It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. it is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Roko Camaj, sixty years old, had worked for ABM Industries since 1973, as a window washer at the World Trade Center. His domain was the upper floors of the South Tower, on which the windows were made from wider panes of glass to provide expansive views fromm the observation deck, which required the windows be washed by hand.  "It's just me and the sky.  I don't bother anybody and nobody bothers me." 

He came to the United States from Montenegro in 1969.  He lived with his wife, Katrina, in Manhasset, Long Island.  The Camajs were the proud parents of three grown children.  

Forever sixty. Forever loved. Forever remembered.

-AK

Never Forgotten: NYPD Officer John D'Allara, ESU 2

Seventeen days from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning.  It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day.  It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. it is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

John D'Allara, forty-seven years old, was accepted to the Police Academy in January 1983. He graduated from the Academy in June 1983. He was a police officer for slightly more than eighteen years. He spent the first four years of his career at the 46th Precinct, Bronx Task Force. For the final fourteen years of his career, he was a member of one of the NYPD's elite Emergency Services Units, ESU 2, which operated out of Harlem.  

Officer D'Allara and his wife, Carol, were the proud parents of two sons, John and Nicholas, who were seven and two years old respectively when Officer D'Allara was killed on September 11, 2001, in the collapse of the North Tower.  I recommend that between now and September 11, you invest the time to watch National Geographic's three-part series, 9/11 Reunited. Episode Three features the story of how Officer D'allara and FDNY Firefighter Bill Spade from Rescue 5 in Staten Island worked together to get a stuck door open, which saved the lives of almost two dozen people.  Officer D'Allara's two sons have followed their father's path into public service.  John is a reservist in the United States Marine Corps and Nicholas is an NPYD Police Officer, wearing his father's badge and working in his father's first precinct, the 46th in the Bronx. 

Forever forty-seven. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

Never Forgotten: FDNY FF David Weiss

Eighteen days from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter-century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

David Weiss, forty-one, had been a member of the FDNY for thirteen years. For the final six years of his FDNY career, he was a member of Rescue 1.  On September 11, 2001, FF Weiss was among the eleven members of Rescue 1 who responded to the World Trade Center. All eleven of them died there.  FF Weiss had two children, both of whom were teenagers when their father gave his life so others might live on September 11, 2001. 

Forever forty-one. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Deborah Kobus

Nineteen days from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter-century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Deborah Kobus, thirty-six, at the end of the 2000-2001 Colorado ski season, had returned to New York from Aspen where she had worked at the St. Regis Hotel, to help her brother, Robert, care for their mother, who had Alzheimer's Disease. Shortly after she returned to New York, she got a job on Wall Street, as a Vice President at Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking Company. She was in her office on the 83rd floor of the South Tower when hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 was flown into the building. 

On Labor Day, 2001, Deborah Kobus had become engaged to Alexander Setzler. The couple met in Aspen, Colorado, when she began working at the St. Regis.   

Forever thirty-six. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Paul Joseph Simon

Twenty days from now marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Paul Joseph Simon ran a computer consulting firm, DAU Systems. On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, he was visiting a client, Marsh & McLennan, on the 97th floor of the North Tower when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 was deliberately flown into the building.  He and his wife, Shelley, had been married for thirty-one years at the time of his death. They had been together for forty years, when they were teenagers in the Catskills. They lived in Staten Island, New York, and had a summer home on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, in Beach Haven. 

Forever fifty-four. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Robert Hayes

Twenty-one days from today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Robert Hayes was a Massachusetts man. He was born in Medford and at the time of his death, he lived in Amesbury with his wife, Debbie, and their two small children, Robbie and Ryan, who were just four years old and eight months old respectively on the day their father was murdered. He and Debbie met at Logan Airport in 1989.  He had missed his flight and she was the customer services agent for TWA who rebooked him. She said that after he returned from trip, he became a regular caller to her at the ticket counter - and not because he needed to book a flight. 

He worked for the Swiss firm, Netstal Machinery, and on that Tuesday morning a quarter-century ago, he boarded American Airlines Flight 11 at Boston's Logan Airport, bound for a bueiness meeting in Los Angeles.  

Forever thirty-seven. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK

Never Forgotten: Mirna Duarte

Twenty-three days from today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Mirna Duarte, thirty years of age, was a native of Honduras. At the time of her death, she lived in Richmond Hills, Queens. She worked as a consultant at Marsh & McLennan and was in her office in the North Tower of the World Trade Center when the murderous cowards who hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 deliberately crashed it into the building. 

At the time of her death, Mirna Duarte was engaged to be married to her boyfriend, Randy.  Tragically, they were deprived of the opportunity to exchange vows and to live the life they had imagined together. 

Forever thirty. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK 

Never Forgotten: FDNY Lt. David Halderman

Twenty-three days from today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

The FDNY was part of David Halderman's DNA.  His father retired following a thirty-year career in the FDNY. His brother, Michael, retired from the FDNY as a Deputy Chief.  Tragically, Lt. Halderman's father died in August 2001, just six days after Lt. Halderman's fortieth birthday.  A nine-year veteran of the FDNY, Lt. Halderman was part of Squad 18 in Manhattan. On September 11, he was one of the valiant first responders who sacrificed his own life so that others could live.  He was one of four siblings.  

When he died on September 11, 2001, FF Halderman was on the list to be promoted to Lieutenant. Following his death, the FDNY honored his life and his legacy by posthumously awarding him the promotion. 

Forever forty. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 

-AK

Never Forgotten: FDNY Firefighter Leon Smith, Jr.

Twenty-four days from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Leon Smith, Jr. was a FDNY firefighter, stationed at Ladder 118 in Brooklyn Heights. He was the "Chauffeur" - the driver. One of the lasting images of September 11, 2001, is the photograph Aaron McLamb took that morning from his apartment window, which captured Ladder 118 racing across the Brooklyn Bridge towards the Twin Towers, both of which were already engulfed in flame and black smoke. Leon Smith, Jr. and all five of his brothers from Ladder 118 who rode with him that morning were killed while saving innocents. 

FF Smith joined the FDNY on February 27, 1982. Among those he loved who had to bid him farewell far too soon were his mother, his wife, and his daughters.   

Forever forty-eight. Forever loved. Forever remembered.  

-AK 

Never Forgotten: Daniel M. Lewin

Twenty-five days from today marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since that terrible Tuesday morning. It is the duty of the living to remember those killed that day. It is the duty of the living to make sure that the stories of their lives continue to echo through the years. It is the duty of the living to ensure that those who were murdered that day are never forgotten. 

Daniel M. Lewin, thirty-one years of age, founded Akamai Technologies in 1998 with one of his MIT professors and with one of his fellow MIT students. In less than three years, it had grown into one of the world's top technology companies.  Mr. Lewin lived in the Boston area with his wife Anne and the couple's two sons, Eitan and Itamar. 

Born in Denver, Colorado, he moved to Israel with his parents in 1983. Upon his high school graduation, he served for four years in the Israel Defense Forces, where he rose to the rank of Captain. On the morning of September 11, 2001, he was seated near three of the hijackers in first-class on American Airlines Flight 11. He is widely believed to have been the first victim killed on September 11 - stabbed to death by one of Flight 11's hijackers when he rose up against them and tried to prevent the hijacking.  

Forever thirty-one. Forever loved. Forever remembered.  

-AK