00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:07.999
[ACOUSTIC GUITAR MUSIC]

00:00:10.999 --> 00:00:14.896
♪ LATE AFTERNOON BACK
IN NEW YORK TOWN, ♪

00:00:14.920 --> 00:00:17.976
♪ WAKING UP AS THE WHEELS
TOUCHED DOWN, ♪

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♪ PICK UP MY GUITAR
AND WALK AWAY, ♪

00:00:21.360 --> 00:00:24.776
♪ WISH I WAS GOING HOME
TO STAY. ♪

00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:27.976
♪ LINE OF TAXIS,
I WAIT MY TURN, ♪

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♪ TAR AND ASPHALT,
EXHAUST AND FUMES, ♪

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♪ BESIDE THE ROAD
ON A PATCH OF GROUND, ♪

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♪ TAXI DRIVERS
ARE KNEELING DOWN. ♪

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♪ 'NEATH THE CONCRETE SKY
I WATCH THEM PRAY, ♪

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♪ WHILE THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD
HURRY ON THEIR WAY. ♪

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♪ I THINK THEY'RE PRAYING
FOR US ALL TODAY, ♪

00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:52.960
♪ THE STORIES THAT FELL
FROM THE SKY THAT DAY. ♪

00:00:53.999 --> 00:00:57.920
♪ THIS IS THE LAND
OF THE LIVING. ♪♪

00:01:00.680 --> 00:01:03.320
WE STILL SOMETIMES
FORGET JUST HOW BIG

00:01:04.440 --> 00:01:05.975
THOSE BUILDINGS WERE,
THE TWO TWIN TOWERS,

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AND THEY WERE 1,360 FEET
OR ABOUT 415 METERS.

00:01:08.999 --> 00:01:12.975
FORTY TO FIFTY THOUSAND PEOPLE
WORKED IN THE TOWERS

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BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT YOU
HAD ABOUT 150,000 PEOPLE

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COMING THROUGH THIS AREA
BECAUSE UNDERNEATH WAS

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THE SUBWAYS, THE PATH TRAIN,
SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS.

00:01:21.800 --> 00:01:25.176
YOU COULD LIVE DOWN THERE
IF YOU WANTED TO

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FOR, YOU KNOW, A WEEK OR TWO
AND SURVIVE AND BE FINE.

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IT WAS REALLY QUITE AMAZING,
SO COME ALONG THIS WAY.

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[ACOUSTIC GUITAR MUSIC]

00:01:36.720 --> 00:01:40.376
I KNEW STEPHEN
WHEN HE WAS A CHILD.

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WE GREW UP A BLOCK APART
FROM EACH OTHER,

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WENT TO THE SAME
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

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WENT ON A DOUBLE DATE
WITH OUR BEST FRIENDS

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AND WE WERE TOGETHER EVER SINCE,
SOUL MATES EVER SINCE.

00:01:52.760 --> 00:01:54.800
MY HUSBAND DENNIS
WAS A FIREMAN.

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HE WORKED AT LADDER 13.

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WE LOOKED AT IT THAT WE HAD
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

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HE HAD A CAREER HE LOVED
AND IT ENABLED HIM TO SPEND TIME

00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:08.999
WITH OUR CHILDREN WHILE I WORKED
FULL TIME TEACHING EVERY DAY.

00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:13.999
CHARLIE AND I STARTED DATING
WHEN I WAS 16.

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HIS SISTER, PEGGY,
INTRODUCED US.

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HE WAS ADORABLE AND HE HAD
SUCH A PERSONALITY.

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HE WAS VERY, VERY FUNNY.

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HE'D ALWAYS INTRODUCE ME
AS HIS FIRST WIFE.

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HE'D HAND OUT CARDS THAT
SAID CHARLES GARBARINI,

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"YOU LIGHT 'EM, WE FIGHT 'EM."

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AND THAT WAS HIS CALLING CARD.

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JACK WAS A CAREER FIREFIGHTER.

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HE HAD A VERY ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER
THAT SPANNED ALMOST 32 YEARS.

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BECAME CAPTAIN
AND CHIEF AND ULTIMATELY

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CHIEF OF HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS OPERATIONS.

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MY HUSBAND WAS A
DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS

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FOR TERRORISM
SPECIALIST.

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YOU KNOW, ONE OF HIS
LAST CONVERSATIONS,

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ONE OF OUR FRIENDS SAID,
"JACK, HOW'S IT GOING?"

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YOU KNOW, MEANING WITH
THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

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AND JACK'S RESPONSE WAS, "IT'S
COMING AND IT'S GONNA BE BIG."

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THEN 48 HOURS LATER
IT WAS THE TRADE.

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[LOUD EXPLOSION, SIRENS BLARING]

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AND ON THE MORNING
OF SEPTEMBER 11TH,

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FIREMEN RESPONDED FROM
ALL FIVE BOROUGHS.

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ONE PARTICULAR COMPANY
THAT RESPONDED THAT MORNING

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WAS ENGINE 23.

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THEY CARRIED A CREW OF FIVE MEN
THAT MORNING AND ONE OF THEM

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WAS MY FIRST HUSBAND,
BOB MCPADDEN.

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[SIRENS BLARING]

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MY FATHER-IN-LAW
CALLED AND SAID,

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"DID CHARLIE WORK LAST NIGHT?"

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AND I SAID, "YEAH," HE HAD GONE
SEPTEMBER 10TH, THAT EVENING.

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AND HE SAID, "TURN ON THE TV."

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JACK WAS VERY GOOD AT ASSESSING
A FIRE AND LOOKING UP

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AND LOOKING AT WINDOWS
AND KNOWING HOW WELL

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HE ASSESSED SITUATIONS,
HE PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER,

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YOU KNOW, THIS IS A HUGE
FUEL BOMB AND THIS IS IT.

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ON 9/11 STEPHEN WAS ON
HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK.

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HE WORKED IN SQUAD ONE
IN BROOKLYN

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AND HE WAS GOING TO MEET ME
AND MY OTHER BROTHERS

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FOR GOLF THAT DAY.

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MY BROTHER-IN-LAW STARTED
TO SHOW UP AT THE HOUSE

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WHEN STEPHEN WAS LATE.

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HE CALLED ME AND HE SAID,
"I HAVE THE SCANNER ON.

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SOMETHING'S HIT
THE TRADE CENTER.

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I'M TURNING MY CAR AROUND.

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TELL MY BROTHERS
I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN.

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I'LL CATCH UP WITH THEM LATER."

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SO HE DROVE TO THE BROOKLYN
BATTERY TUNNEL

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AND HE TOOK HIS GEAR,
WHICH IS ABOUT 65, 70 POUNDS.

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HE STRAPPED IT TO HIS BACK
AND RAN THROUGH THE TUNNEL.

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AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME
I SPOKE WITH HIM

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AND THEN THEY FOUND HIS CAR
PARKED AT THE ENTRANCE

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OF THE TUNNEL.

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NOBODY KNEW ANYTHING.

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EVERYBODY WAS BASICALLY
SCRAMBLING.

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I WOULD CALL THE FIREHOUSE
CONSTANTLY FINDING OUT AN UPDATE

00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:19.880
AND NOBODY REALLY KNEW
WHAT WAS GOING ON.

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AT THAT MOMENT IT WAS
A WAITING GAME

00:05:24.080 --> 00:05:26.696
AND I THOUGHT STEPHEN
WAS INVINCIBLE,

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SO I DID NOT BELIEVE THAT
ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN TO HIM.

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YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S BEEN
A PART OF ME THAT HAS BEEN

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ANGRY AT HIM BECAUSE WE WERE
SO COMPROMISED AT HOME

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BUT THERE IS NO WAY HE WOULD
HAVE LEFT THAT SCENE

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WITH PEOPLE THAT NEEDED HELP.

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AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DID,
YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY ELSE

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RAN OUT AND THEY RAN IN.

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AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK
ABOUT OUR GUYS.

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THEY WERE TRULY THE BRAVEST
OF THE BRAVE.

00:06:06.999 --> 00:06:10.856
WHEN THEY ARRIVED BOB
AND THE MEN OF ENGINE 23

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WERE TOLD TO GO INTO
THE MARRIOTT HOTEL,

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WHICH WAS 3 WORLD TRADE CENTER,

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TO RESCUE ANY REMAINING GUESTS
OR HOTEL EMPLOYEES

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THAT MIGHT BE THERE.

00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:23.096
NOW, WHEN THE SOUTH TOWER FELL,
IT COLLAPSED DOWN ON TOP

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OF THE MARRIOTT HOTEL AND IT
SPLIT THAT BUILDING IN TWO.

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IT CREATED A HUGE GASH.

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BOB AND THE MEN OF ENGINE 23
WERE ALL KILLED.

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THEY WERE ALL KILLED
THAT MORNING.

00:06:35.320 --> 00:06:37.376
(CLEARS HER THROAT)

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[SLOW TEMPO PIANO MUSIC]

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THE REST OF THE DAY WENT IN
AND OUT OF BELIEF AND DISBELIEF.

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I REMAINED AT SCHOOL, YOU KNOW,
IT WAS LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES

00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:52.376
AND IT WAS CHAOTIC AND I
REMEMBER AT ONE POINT SITTING

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IN A FOURTH GRADE CLASS AND
KIDS WERE BUILDING BLOCKS

00:06:55.999 --> 00:06:59.296
AND THEY HAD NO IDEA
WHAT WAS GOING ON,

00:06:59.320 --> 00:07:01.256
HOWEVER, THEY KEPT JUST
KNOCKING THEM DOWN

00:07:01.280 --> 00:07:04.160
AND I JUST KNEW IN MY HEART
AT THAT MOMENT HE WAS GONE.

00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:08.960
BILLY JACK ALWAYS
CAME HOME, YOU KNOW.

00:07:09.999 --> 00:07:12.376
JACK JUMPED IN THE EAST RIVER
AND, YOU KNOW, JACK WAS FINE.

00:07:12.400 --> 00:07:15.296
JACK, YOU KNOW,
TOOK OUT FAMILIES OF FOUR

00:07:15.320 --> 00:07:18.416
IN BURNING APARTMENT BUILDINGS
AND JACK CAME HOME

00:07:18.440 --> 00:07:21.856
AND WHEN THE TOWERS
HAD FALLEN,

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I WAS, LIKE, WELL,
JACK'S IN A VOID.

00:07:24.400 --> 00:07:27.456
IF THERE'S A BUILDING COLLAPSE,

00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:29.336
THE PERSON IS NOT
SERIOUSLY INJURED,

00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:31.216
YOU KNOW, THEY CAN BE
IN A VOID,

00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:32.975
A LITTLE SPACE BETWEEN,
YOU KNOW, THE BEAMS.

00:07:32.999 --> 00:07:36.999
I WAS, LIKE, "WELL, I KNOW
JACK'S IN A VOID."

00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:41.160
WHEN I GOT HOME THAT AFTERNOON
I WOULDN'T LEAVE THE HOUSE

00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:45.176
AND I JUST KEPT CALLING
THE FIREHOUSE TO ASK

00:07:45.200 --> 00:07:48.160
ABOUT DENNIS AND THEY
COULD SAY NOTHING.

00:07:48.999 --> 00:07:52.999
BUT I KNEW IF HE WAS ALIVE
HE WOULD HAVE CONTACTED ME

00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:58.000
AND UM, THAT WAS THE BEGINNING.

00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:05.999
[LIGHT PIANO MUSIC]

00:08:15.080 --> 00:08:19.200
SOME DAYS IT'S SEPTEMBER 12,
AND SOME DAYS YOU FEEL LIKE

00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:24.976
IT NEVER HAPPENED, THAT
IT'S TOO MUCH TO BELIEVE

00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:26.999
THAT SOMETHING THAT CATASTROPHIC
COULD EVER HAPPEN.

00:08:28.440 --> 00:08:30.999
HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN AN EVIL ACT
TO INNOCENT CHILDREN?

00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:36.696
ON SEPTEMBER 11, I HAD A NINE
YEAR OLD, A FIVE YEAR OLD,

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A THREE YEAR OLD, A 21 MONTH
OLD AND A NINE MONTH OLD.

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MY CHILDREN WERE SO YOUNG
THAT THE STAGES OF GRIEF

00:08:43.999 --> 00:08:47.656
THAT YOU GO THROUGH
WERE SO HARD

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BECAUSE WE WERE TRULY IN SHOCK
FOR SUCH A LONG PERIOD OF TIME

00:08:49.280 --> 00:08:53.056
AND IT TRULY WAS OWNED
BY THE WORLD.

00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:55.720
SO IT WAS A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT
JOURNEY FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

00:08:58.040 --> 00:09:00.720
IT'S REALLY SO HARD TO
COMPREHEND THE AMOUNT

00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:08.200
OF DESTRUCTION THAT, YOU KNOW,
OCCURRED THAT DAY.

00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:14.480
IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO REALLY
GRASP THAT, YOU KNOW,

00:09:16.400 --> 00:09:20.520
THAT HE WASN'T IN A VOID AND
THAT HE WASN'T COMING HOME.

00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:25.376
[PIANO MUSIC]

00:09:25.400 --> 00:09:28.576
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GO THROUGH
SOMETHING SO TRAUMATIC,

00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:31.936
YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL.

00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:33.856
YOUR EMOTIONS ARE OUT OF CONTROL
AND I FELT LIKE

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I WAS GOING CRAZY AND I NEEDED
TO FIND SOMEONE OR PEOPLE

00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:40.999
TO CONNECT WITH THAT
COULD UNDERSTAND.

00:09:41.999 --> 00:09:46.000
MY COUSIN, JP, KNEW OF TWO
WIDOWS BOTH NAMED, ANDREA,

00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:50.376
AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS
I HAD MET THEM AND WE REALIZED,

00:09:50.400 --> 00:09:53.776
YOU KNOW, PULLING OUR
FAMILIES TOGETHER

00:09:53.800 --> 00:09:55.999
IT WAS THE WAY TO,
AH, TO SURVIVE.

00:09:56.680 --> 00:10:00.576
AFTER SEPTEMBER 11TH
I STARTED A SUPPORT GROUP

00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:03.576
WITH A GROUP OF WIDOWS
AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THEM

00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:06.096
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW I WOULD
HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH THIS.

00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:08.576
I MEAN, I REMEMBER,
WE'D GET TOGETHER

00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:10.456
AND WE'D LOOK AT EACH OTHER
AND WE WOULD JUST,

00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:13.376
YOU KNOW, COMMISERATE.

00:10:13.400 --> 00:10:16.696
[LADIES TALKING]

00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:19.736
THERE ARE STEPS WHEN YOU START,
THERE'S A MIDDLE,

00:10:19.760 --> 00:10:23.720
THERE'S AN ENDING, YOU GRIEVE
AND FOR SO MANY PEOPLE

00:10:24.040 --> 00:10:27.496
IT WAS OPEN-ENDED.

00:10:27.520 --> 00:10:28.975
IT WAS IF THEY WENT
FOR A LOAF OF BREAD

00:10:28.999 --> 00:10:30.976
AND JUST NEVER CAME BACK.

00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.975
YEAH.

00:10:31.999 --> 00:10:33.096
I WAS UP ALL NIGHT, YOU KNOW,
WE WERE ALL UP.

00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:34.736
I KEPT CALLING THE FIREHOUSE.

00:10:34.760 --> 00:10:36.176
I GOT TO A POINT WHERE
I COULD NOT...

00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:38.975
I HAD TO GO DOWN
THERE 'CAUSE I FELT

00:10:38.999 --> 00:10:40.975
LIKE BEING A NURSE
I WANTED TO HELP

00:10:40.999 --> 00:10:42.656
AND I WAS GOING TO FIND
CHARLIE AND SAY,

00:10:42.680 --> 00:10:44.376
"WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL ME,
DING-DONG?"

00:10:44.400 --> 00:10:46.975
YOU KNOW, LIKE, GIVE HIM
A KNOCK IN THE HEAD.

00:10:46.999 --> 00:10:48.936
AND I WENT DOWN.

00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:49.975
I WENT AT 6:00 A.M.
I PUT MY UNIFORM ON.

00:10:49.999 --> 00:10:51.936
I CALLED MY FRIENDS IN THE ER
IN THE BRONX, I SAID,

00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:54.975
"I GOT TO GO DOWN THERE."

00:10:54.999 --> 00:10:56.096
THEY SAID,
"WE'RE COMING WITH YOU."

00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:58.456
NOBODY WAS ON THE ROADS,
YOU KNOW,

00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:00.736
THE FDR DRIVE WAS EMPTY
AND, YOU KNOW,

00:11:00.760 --> 00:11:03.296
WE FLEW DOWN THERE AND
WE WENT TO ST. VINCENT'S...

00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:05.975
I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS
YOU KNOW WE WALKED IN

00:11:05.999 --> 00:11:08.936
AND IT WAS SO EERILY QUIET,
THERE WAS NO ONE COMING IN.

00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:12.256
NOBODY NEW COMING OUT
OF THE RUBBLE

00:11:12.280 --> 00:11:14.456
AND THEN WHEN WE WENT TO
THE SITE AND WE WENT LOOKING

00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:17.176
AND I STILL DON'T KNOW
WHO THIS-

00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:18.975
HE WAS ONE OF THE CHIEFS
AND HE SAID,

00:11:18.999 --> 00:11:20.216
"CHARLIE WAS WITH
MY BROTHER

00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:22.296
AND WE DON'T KNOW
WHERE THEY ARE."

00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:23.975
AND AT THAT MOMENT I KNEW...

00:11:23.999 --> 00:11:25.800
AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE HOPE
THAT I WANTED TO HAVE.

00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:30.496
THAT WAS THE SERVICE THE 27TH
AND 28TH OF SEPTEMBER

00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:33.976
BUT AS MUCH AS I KNEW HE
WAS DEAD I ALSO, KIND OF,

00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:38.056
THOUGHT WELL, IF I HAVE THIS
AND HE'S STUCK SOMEWHERE

00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:40.896
OR IN A HOSPITAL AND THEY
HAVEN'T FOUND HIM YET,

00:11:40.920 --> 00:11:42.736
HE'S GOING TO COME BACK,
"YEAH, YOU COULDN'T WAIT?

00:11:42.760 --> 00:11:45.975
EVERYONE ELSE IS HANGING ON."

00:11:45.999 --> 00:11:48.096
SO IN MY MIND
I WAS PLAYING,

00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:50.016
LIKE, LET ME JUST
HAVE THIS WAKE,

00:11:50.040 --> 00:11:51.576
WE'LL HAVE THE MEMORIAL SERVICE
AND HE'LL PROBABLY POP UP.

00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:54.096
- (EVERYONE) YEAH.
- ALIVE!

00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:56.456
WHEN THOSE TOWERS FELL

00:11:56.480 --> 00:11:57.976
WE IMMEDIATELY BECAME
FAMILY IN CRISIS.

00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.616
YOU KNOW, MY HOUSE WAS NOT
MANAGEABLE WITH ONLY ONE ADULT.

00:12:00.640 --> 00:12:03.376
OH, MY GOODNESS.

00:12:03.400 --> 00:12:04.856
AND TO THINK THAT HE'S NOT
WALKING UP THE WALK ANYMORE.

00:12:04.880 --> 00:12:08.256
THIS IS IT...
THIS IS YOUR LIFE.

00:12:08.280 --> 00:12:10.736
HI.

00:12:10.760 --> 00:12:12.440
YOU KNOW, THE BOYS
ARE BOTH AUTISTIC.

00:12:13.999 --> 00:12:16.376
THEY FUNCTION AT
DIFFERENT LEVELS

00:12:16.400 --> 00:12:19.216
AND DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES,

00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:21.576
SO TO REALLY MANAGE
TAKING CARE OF THEM,

00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:25.080
TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR SAFETY
AND THEIR EDUCATION REQUIRED

00:12:26.999 --> 00:12:30.999
TWO ADULTS AND WITHOUT HIM
HERE WE COULDN'T FUNCTION.

00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:36.999
MY SISTER CAME FROM NORTH
CAROLINA TO HELP TAKE CARE

00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:43.080
OF THE BOYS AND ME AND IN
THE PROCESS OF BEING HERE,

00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:47.696
SHE'S LIKE, "MAUREEN,"
SHE SAYS, "I CAN'T LEAVE YOU,

00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:50.496
YOU KNOW, YOU WON'T BE
ABLE TO MANAGE THE BOYS."

00:12:50.520 --> 00:12:53.616
AND ONE NIGHT SHE EMAILED
GOVERNOR PATAKI AT THE TIME,

00:12:53.640 --> 00:12:57.576
EXPLAINING WHAT LIKELY HAPPENED
TO JACK AND COULD SOMEONE HELP

00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:01.840
AND THEN SEAN WAS PLACED IN A
GROUP HOME IN NOVEMBER OF 2001.

00:13:02.520 --> 00:13:06.560
VERY, VERY TOUGH DECISION
TO MAKE AT A VERY BAD TIME

00:13:06.880 --> 00:13:10.776
BUT IT WAS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE
FOR ME TO BE ABLE

00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:13.400
TO TAKE CARE OF BOTH
OF THE BOYS WITHOUT HIM.

00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:16.840
JACK'S CAR BEING GONE FROM
THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE

00:13:18.160 --> 00:13:21.336
WAS THIS ACUTE REMINDER
OF HIM BEING LOST

00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:24.975
BECAUSE THAT CAR WENT
DOWN TO THE TRADE.

00:13:24.999 --> 00:13:27.400
THAT CAR WAS LOST, BUT SEAN
KEPT LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW

00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:31.336
FOR THE CAR.

00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.616
THE MANAGER OF
THE GROUP HOME SAID,

00:13:33.640 --> 00:13:34.975
"I THINK YOU NEED
TO TALK TO SEAN

00:13:34.999 --> 00:13:37.776
ABOUT HIS FATHER
BEING GONE."

00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:41.760
I HAD TAKEN PICTURES OF SEAN
AND PICTURES OF JACK

00:13:41.999 --> 00:13:45.496
AND PICTURES OF THE TOWERS

00:13:45.520 --> 00:13:47.176
BUT ONLY WOULD USE PICTURES
OF THE TOWERS WITH SMOKE

00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:50.496
AND I WENT THROUGH THIS
SERIES OF PICTURES.

00:13:50.520 --> 00:13:52.999
AND THEN I SAID, "SEAN,
THIS IS SMOKE.

00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:57.280
BAD SMOKE," I SAID,
"DAD GOT HURT IN THE BAD SMOKE.

00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:01.856
DAD'S NOT COMING BACK."

00:14:01.880 --> 00:14:04.975
AND SEAN SCREAMED,

00:14:04.999 --> 00:14:08.240
HE JUST SCREAMED AND I KNEW
THAT HE DID UNDERSTAND

00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:18.999
THAT JACK WAS HURT.

00:14:21.520 --> 00:14:23.080
LATE, LATE ON THE NIGHT
OF SEPTEMBER 11TH

00:14:25.280 --> 00:14:27.976
WHEN I, YOU KNOW, FELT IN
MY HEART THAT BOB WAS GONE,

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:30.760
I REALLY DID THINK
MY LIFE WAS OVER.

00:14:30.999 --> 00:14:34.736
HE WAS MY FUTURE,
HE WAS EVERYTHING.

00:14:34.760 --> 00:14:36.696
I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW,
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO

00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:39.856
WITH THE REST OF MY LIFE?

00:14:39.880 --> 00:14:41.320
AND THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF
FAMILY AND FRIENDS, YOU KNOW,

00:14:41.760 --> 00:14:45.856
I STAND HERE TODAY AND I WANT
TO SHARE WITH YOU A STORY

00:14:45.880 --> 00:14:48.256
THAT MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME.

00:14:48.280 --> 00:14:50.576
SHE HAD A YOUNG BROTHER
IN WORLD WAR II

00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:53.136
AND HE HAD A YOUNG WIFE AT HOME

00:14:53.160 --> 00:14:55.376
AND HE USED TO WRITE
HER LETTERS.

00:14:55.400 --> 00:14:57.056
HE WROTE HER, HE SAID,
"IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME

00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:59.496
IN THIS WAR, IF SOMETHING
HAPPENS TO ME,

00:14:59.520 --> 00:15:01.520
DON'T LET THIS WAR RUIN
TWO LIVES."

00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:06.360
SO THEY TOOK 2,749 LIVES
THAT MORNING

00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:12.336
BUT THEY DIDN'T TAKE MINE,
OKAY?

00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:15.880
AND I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT
REALLY TO ALL THOSE VICTIMS

00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:20.056
TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS LIFE
AND TO REALLY, YOU KNOW,

00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:23.856
TO CELEBRATE IT
AND IT HELPS, YOU KNOW,

00:15:23.880 --> 00:15:26.856
CARRY ON THEIR MEMORIES
JUST IN LIVING YOUR LIFE

00:15:26.880 --> 00:15:29.200
AS BEST YOU CAN
TO THE FULLEST.

00:15:29.920 --> 00:15:32.520
[PIANO MUSIC]

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:36.176
PIERMONT WAS A SPECIAL PLACE
FOR DENNIS AND I.

00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:39.536
WE WENT TO CHURCH DOWN HERE.

00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:42.256
OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
WERE DOWN HERE

00:15:42.280 --> 00:15:44.896
AND WE EXERCISED DOWN HERE.

00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:47.856
AFTER SEPTEMBER 11TH
WHEN WE WERE TRYING

00:15:47.880 --> 00:15:50.776
TO GET SOME MEANING
OUT OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED

00:15:50.800 --> 00:15:53.056
AND GO FORWARD
IN A POSITIVE WAY,

00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:55.776
MY FAMILY I AND DENNIS'S FRIENDS
CREATED A FOUNDATION

00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:58.975
AFTER HIS NAME
AND OUR FIRST PROJECT

00:15:58.999 --> 00:16:01.896
WAS HELPING PIERMONT
BUILD A LIBRARY.

00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:05.096
WE FELT THAT WAS IMPORTANT
BECAUSE THAT WAS ALSO

00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:08.816
A BIG PIECE OF WHO DENNIS WAS.

00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:10.975
BEING A FIREMAN HE HAD
A LOT OF TIME ON HIS HANDS

00:16:10.999 --> 00:16:13.536
AND HE REALLY HELPED
RAISE CHLOE,

00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:16.216
SO HE KNEW EVERY
LIBRARY IN TOWN.

00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:18.536
DENNIS WOULD KNOW THE
STORY TIMES IN EACH ONE

00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:20.936
AND BRING CHLOE.

00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:23.376
YOU KNOW, IT WAS A BIT OF HOPE
DANGLING IN FRONT OF ME

00:16:23.400 --> 00:16:26.976
OF TRYING TO MAKE SENSE
OUT OF SOMETHING

00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:30.096
AS CRAZY AS SEPTEMBER 11TH.

00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:32.520
I JUST REALLY WANTED MY KIDS
TO SEE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS

00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:37.216
TO GIVE BACK AND TO BE
THE PEOPLE

00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:39.816
THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN
IF DENNIS WAS STILL HERE.

00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:42.760
YOU KNOW, I WANTED THEM TO SEE
THE GOOD IN THE WORLD.

00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:47.520
"AND ON THAT CHILD
THERE IS A DOG..."

00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:50.800
THE FOUNDATION'S TAG NAME
IS "ANGELS FOR AUTISM"

00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:54.920
BECAUSE I ALWAYS CALL SEAN
AND PATRICK MY TWO ANGEL BOYS.

00:16:54.999 --> 00:16:58.975
MANY, MANY OF THE FAMILIES
HAVE DONE DIFFERENT THINGS

00:16:58.999 --> 00:17:01.296
TO HONOR THEIR LOVED ONE
IN THE AFTERMATH OF 9/11

00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:04.856
AND WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE TO
THINK UP ANYTHING AS A FAMILY

00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:08.120
BECAUSE, YOU KNOW,
WE ALREADY HAD, YOU KNOW,

00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:12.400
A NEED BEING THAT BOTH
OF OUR SONS ARE AUTISTIC.

00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:16.496
TONY FROM THE OFFICE HAD GONE UP
TO CONNECTICUT

00:17:16.520 --> 00:17:18.975
TO PURCHASE POWERBALL TICKETS.

00:17:18.999 --> 00:17:21.176
MY HUSBAND HAD CALLED ME
AND HE'S, LIKE, YOU KNOW,

00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:23.176
"WHAT WOULD WE DO IF WE WON
A LOT OF MONEY?"

00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:25.056
AND I WAS, LIKE,
"I DON'T KNOW, JACK."

00:17:25.080 --> 00:17:26.736
HE SAYS, "WE'RE GOING TO BUY
A GROUP HOME FOR AUTISTIC KIDS."

00:17:26.760 --> 00:17:30.560
THREE WEEKS LATER HE WAS GONE,
YOU KNOW, IN THE TRADE

00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:34.976
AND THAT CONVERSATION
BECAME THE CORNERSTONE

00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:38.256
FOR THE FOUNDATION.

00:17:38.280 --> 00:17:40.975
AFTER THE TRADE, PEOPLE
FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

00:17:40.999 --> 00:17:44.456
SENT LETTERS AND SENT CHECKS

00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:46.376
AND WE DECIDED THAT WE
WOULD CREATE A FOUNDATION

00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:49.016
IN JACK'S NAME AND HELP FAMILIES
LIKE OURS AND OTHER KIDS

00:17:49.040 --> 00:17:52.336
LIKE OUR OWN CHILDREN
WITH AUTISM.

00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:56.256
WITHIN FOUR MONTHS,
WE GOT THE APPROVAL TO DO

00:17:56.280 --> 00:17:59.560
TWO GROUP HOMES WHICH IS A HUGE,
YOU KNOW, ACCOMPLISHMENT.

00:18:01.560 --> 00:18:05.736
YOU TALK ABOUT COLLATERAL DAMAGE
FROM THE INCIDENT AND YOU KNOW,

00:18:05.760 --> 00:18:09.760
THEN THERE WAS THIS TOTALLY
GOOD THING THAT HAPPENED.

00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:13.720
YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER
WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED

00:18:14.999 --> 00:18:16.976
AND PEOPLE WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW,
"I WISH YOU PEACE."

00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:20.056
AND THAT'S ALL I WANTED
WAS PEACE IN MY HEART,

00:18:20.080 --> 00:18:22.400
ALL I WANTED WAS A FEW MOMENTS
OF NOT THINKING ABOUT IT.

00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:27.656
AND NOW I REFLECT
AND I GO ABOUT THE DAY

00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:31.576
AND YOU THINK ABOUT IT
BUT YOU'RE ABLE JUST

00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:33.656
TO EXPERIENCE LIFE LIKE
YOU KNEW IT, YOU KNOW?

00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:35.975
FEEL SORRY FOR SOMEONE'S
SORROWS AND, YOU KNOW,

00:18:35.999 --> 00:18:38.999
BE DELIGHTED WITH THEIR
HAPPINESS AS WELL.

00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:42.280
I THINK IT WAS JUST, LIKE,
LITTLE BY LITTLE THE VEIL

00:18:43.280 --> 00:18:46.975
WOULD LIFT, AND THOSE THINGS
WEREN'T AS DARK

00:18:46.999 --> 00:18:50.256
AND AS FOGGY AS THEY WERE.

00:18:50.280 --> 00:18:51.936
RIGHT.

00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:54.016
IN THE TIMELINE THAT WE LIVE,
IT BECOMES SMALLER ON THE LINE.

00:18:54.040 --> 00:18:57.696
IT DOESN'T MEAN IT CHANGES.

00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:59.120
THERE'S JUST MORE LIFE
THAT FILLS IN AROUND IT.

00:18:59.999 --> 00:19:01.880
MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY
HAVE DONE AMAZING THINGS

00:19:03.999 --> 00:19:06.696
TO PULL THEMSELVES OUT
OF THE RUBBLE, SO TO SPEAK.

00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:09.336
SOMEONE SAID IT'S THE FAMILY
YOU NEVER WANTED

00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:12.656
BUT YOU HAVE IT
AND WE ARE BLESSED.

00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:15.096
THERE MUST BE A REASON
FOR THAT, SO...

00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.696
I MEAN, LIKE, MY JOURNEY
TO AFRICA.

00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.976
WOULD LOVE TO JUST CONNECT
WITH ONE WIDOW AND TALK TO HER

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:22.096
AND JUST MAYBE
GIVE HER SOMETHING

00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:25.456
AND SHE COULD GIVE ME SOMETHING
AND WE CAN COMFORT EACH OTHER.

00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:28.896
I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO
HUMANITARIAN WORK OVERSEAS

00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:31.936
AND I WAS ASKED BY A FRIEND
WHO'S A PHYSICIAN

00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:35.136
WHO STUDIES MALARIA
TO JOIN HER

00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:37.896
ON A HUMANITARIAN TRIP
TO RWANDA.

00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:41.120
[WOMEN SINGING AND CLAPPING]

00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:49.376
WHEN I ARRIVED THERE I WAS ABLETO CONNECT WITH SOME

00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:52.056
OF THE RWANDAN WIDOWS.

00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:54.256
[WOMEN SINGING AND CLAPPING]

00:19:54.280 --> 00:19:57.296
I ASKED THEM HOW THEY WERE ABLETO MOVE THROUGH THEIR GRIEF

00:19:57.320 --> 00:19:59.999
AND SURVIVE THE HORRIFIC ORDEALTHAT THEY WENT THROUGH.

00:20:00.999 --> 00:20:05.136
THEY OFFERED TO SHOW ME HOW
THEY DEALT WITH THEIR GRIEF

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:09.120
AND THE WAY THEY DO IT
IS THEY REENACT THE DAY

00:20:09.280 --> 00:20:13.136
THAT THEY FOUND OUT
THAT THEIR HUSBANDS

00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:16.416
AND CHILDREN WERE SLAUGHTERED.

00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:19.656
ONE WOMAN WOULD FIND ANOTHER
WOMAN AND THEN ANOTHER WOMAN

00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:23.080
AND THEY WOULD CARRY EACH
OTHER OUT OF THE FIELDS

00:20:23.800 --> 00:20:27.160
AND NURSE THEM BACK.

00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:29.999
THEY CREATED ORGANIZATIONS WHERETHEY WOULD SUPPORT EACH OTHER,

00:20:32.999 --> 00:20:35.975
WHERE THEY WOULD HELP THE
ORPHANS THAT WERE LEFT BEHIND

00:20:35.999 --> 00:20:38.975
AND THEY SAID THAT IF IT
WASN'T FOR EACH OTHER

00:20:38.999 --> 00:20:41.160
THEY WOULD NOT HAVE
BEEN ABLE TO SURVIVE.

00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:44.999
THERE ARE SO MANY WIDOWS,
THOUGH, UNA.

00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:49.576
THIS ONE ORGANIZATION I WENT TO
HAD 4,000 MEMBERS

00:20:49.600 --> 00:20:53.336
OF JUST WOMEN WHO HAD
NO HUSBANDS,

00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:56.720
MANY OF THEM WERE INFECTED
WITH HIV DURING THE GENOCIDE

00:20:56.999 --> 00:21:00.975
AND THEY KEPT SAYING TO ME
THAT THEY WERE SO HAPPY

00:21:00.999 --> 00:21:03.376
THEY COULD HELP ME
WITH MY GRIEF.

00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:06.176
I REALLY HAVE GOTTEN TREMENDOUS
STRENGTH FROM THEM BECAUSE,

00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:08.880
YOU KNOW, GOING THERE YOU JUST
KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT

00:21:08.999 --> 00:21:12.776
BECAUSE THESE WOMEN
ARE STILL STANDING

00:21:12.800 --> 00:21:15.136
AND THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD.

00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:18.256
WHEN I'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE
THE BEST DECISIONS

00:21:18.280 --> 00:21:20.975
IS WHEN I'VE THOUGHT
JUST ABOUT JACK

00:21:20.999 --> 00:21:24.000
AND HOW JACK WOULD WANT
THINGS TO BE HANDLED.

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:27.975
NOW, WHO'S CAR IS NEXT?

00:21:27.999 --> 00:21:30.999
WE HAVE SOME ONGOING
SMALLER FUND RAISING

00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:34.856
BUT ONE BIG BENEFIT A YEAR.

00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:37.975
DIFFERENT AGENCIES APPLY
FOR GRANT REQUESTS

00:21:37.999 --> 00:21:41.880
AND EIGHT OUT OF THE 16 AGENCIESTHAT APPLIED WERE CHOSEN

00:21:44.280 --> 00:21:48.560
AND PROBABLY $100,000 WILL BE
GIVEN OUT AT THE DINNER/DANCE.

00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:54.360
THE AMOUNT OF THIS
YEAR'S GRANT IS $6,000.

00:21:54.999 --> 00:21:58.975
I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT.

00:21:58.999 --> 00:22:02.336
THERE ARE MANY, MANY
SPECIAL PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM

00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:05.576
THAT WE COULD INTRODUCE
BUT NO MORE SPECIAL

00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:08.936
IS SEAN AND PATRICK.

00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:10.296
I KNOW THEY WANT TO SAY,
"HI" TO YOU

00:22:10.320 --> 00:22:11.896
AND THEY'RE RIGHT HERE
AT TABLE ONE.

00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.975
[APPLAUSE]

00:22:12.999 --> 00:22:15.576
HI. DO YOU WANT TO SAY, "HI?"

00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:18.456
[APPLAUSE]

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:20.975
BUT WE ALSO HAVE THE CITY
OF HOBOKEN.

00:22:20.999 --> 00:22:23.696
THEY ADOPTED US.

00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:26.320
OVER 100 EMPLOYEES TAKE
$5.00 OUT OF THEIR PAYCHECK

00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:30.975
EVERY TWO WEEKS AND THAT
MONEY AUTOMATICALLY

00:22:30.999 --> 00:22:33.856
GOES TO THE FOUNDATION.

00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:35.999
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY
GENEROUS TO US FINANCIALLY,

00:22:36.800 --> 00:22:40.600
IN SPIRIT, YOU KNOW,
PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY,

00:22:41.520 --> 00:22:44.976
JUST VERY, VERY GOOD TO US.

00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:47.176
WHEREVER I GO,
WHEREVER LIFE TAKES ME

00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:49.496
I KNOW THERE IS NO
PLACE LIKE NEW YORK

00:22:49.520 --> 00:22:51.496
AND I'M SO PROUD TO BE
A NEW YORKER.

00:22:51.520 --> 00:22:53.696
THEY HAVE STOOD BY US
AND THEY NEVER FORGET.

00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:56.856
NEW YORK IS THE KINDEST PLACE
IN THE WORLD.

00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:59.896
FOR ME I HAVE TO LOOK
AT THE BIG PICTURE.

00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:03.256
WHAT WOULD MY LIFE
HAVE BEEN LIKE

00:23:03.280 --> 00:23:04.975
IF I HADN'T MET
STEPHEN SILLER?

00:23:04.999 --> 00:23:07.456
AND I CAN'T LOOK AT THAT.

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:09.936
IT'S BETTER TO HAVE LOVED HIM
AND THEN LOST HIM

00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:11.936
THAN TO NEVER HAVE
HAD HIM IN MY LIFE.

00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:14.576
I HAVE BEEN BLESSED.

00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.856
SOME PEOPLE NEVER GET THEIR
STEVE SILLER IN THEIR LIFETIME.

00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:18.280
SO, I KNOW THAT,
MY CHILDREN KNOW THAT.

00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:22.800
HE TAUGHT US THROUGH HIS TRAGEDY
OF LOSING HIS PARENTS EARLY ON

00:23:23.999 --> 00:23:27.736
THAT THERE'S NO TIME
TO BE WASTED.

00:23:27.760 --> 00:23:29.975
YOU CANNOT WALLOW, YOU CANNOT
FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF.

00:23:29.999 --> 00:23:32.975
HE WAS NEVER LIKE THAT
THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE

00:23:32.999 --> 00:23:35.400
SO THAT AFTER THIS HAPPENED
WE KNEW WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:40.975
THE FOUNDATION WAS TRULY
STARTED BY STEPHEN'S SIBLINGS

00:23:40.999 --> 00:23:44.880
TO HONOR STEPHEN AND TO HONOREVERYBODY WHO WAS LOST ON 9/11.

00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:50.096
IN DECEMBER OF 2001, WE STARTED
THE STEPHEN SILLER

00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:53.936
LET US DO GOOD
CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION

00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:55.656
AND WE WANT TO HELP KIDS
WHO LOST ONE OR BOTH PARENTS,

00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.896
MOSTLY ORPHANS BECAUSE STEPHEN
WAS ORPHANED AT AGE 10.

00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:00.975
DIDN'T HAVE TO BE
RELATED TO 9/11,

00:24:00.999 --> 00:24:03.176
WE JUST WANTED
TO HELP ALL KIDS.

00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:05.056
SO WE WERE SITTING,
WE WERE PRAYING,

00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:07.496
WE WERE THINKING
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN

00:24:07.520 --> 00:24:09.496
ONE DAY ONE OF HIS FRIENDS
CALLED US AND HE SAID,

00:24:09.520 --> 00:24:12.376
"FRANK, HOW ABOUT
IF YOU HAVE A RUN?

00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:14.776
HOW ABOUT IF YOU RUN
WHAT HE DID THAT DAY?

00:24:14.800 --> 00:24:18.096
YOU RUN THROUGH THE TUNNEL."

00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:19.976
I ALMOST FELL ON THE FLOOR.

00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:22.056
I SAID, "OH, MY GOD,

00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:23.456
WE CAN RETRACE STEPHEN'S
FINAL FOOTSTEPS."

00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:26.896
HIS FINAL HEROIC FOOTSTEPS
AS WE SAY IT

00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:29.520
AND I WAS JUST SO OVERWHELMED
THEN I SAID,

00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:33.456
"THAT'S IT. IT HAS TO BE DONE."

00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:35.896
THE RACE IS REALLY WHAT
SUSTAINS THE FOUNDATION,

00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:38.096
SO THE ENTRY FEE ENABLES US
TO GIVE OUT SCHOLARSHIPS.

00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:42.336
AND THAT'S MY FAVORITE I GIVE
OUT SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE SCHOOL

00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:44.576
THAT STEPHEN AND I ATTENDED
AND TO HIS HIGH SCHOOL

00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:48.536
AND WE HELP THE MILITARY,
WE HELP THE BURN CENTER.

00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:52.136
THE FIRST YEAR THERE WERE
A COUPLE OF THOUSAND PEOPLE

00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:54.096
AND NOW WE'RE AT
THE OVER 20,000 MARK.

00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:56.680
SO IT'S GROWN.
IT'S TREMENDOUS.

00:24:57.280 --> 00:25:00.936
[STARTING SHOT AND CHEERING]

00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:04.296
THE STORY OF THE TUNNEL
TO TOWERS RUN

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IS HOW IT HAS BROUGHT
SO MANY PEOPLE TOGETHER.

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WE HAVE OVER 2,000 VOLUNTEERS.

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WE HAVE 646 FIREFIGHTERS WHOSTAND RIGHT OUTSIDE THE TUNNEL,

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343 OF THEM ARE HOLDING
AMERICAN FLAGS TO REPRESENT

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THE 343 FIREFIGHTERS
THAT DIED THAT DAY.

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WHEN YOU COME OUT OF THAT
TUNNEL AND YOU SEE THOSE

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343 BANNERS HANGING THERE
OF EVERY MEMBER

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FROM THE PROBIE TO THE
CHIEF OF THE DEPARTMENT

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AND THE FIRST DEPUTY
FIRE COMMISSIONER

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THAT TELLS YOU WHAT THIS
DEPARTMENT IS ALL ABOUT

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IS OUR FAMILIES ARE OUR
MOST IMPORTANT ASSET.

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IT JUST BRINGS EVERY
EMOTION OUT OF YOU

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BECAUSE YOU KNOW THE LOSS WAS
SO GREAT TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

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WHEN THE RACE FIRST STARTED
I ALWAYS FELT I SHOULD BE

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AT THE FINISH LINE WHERE
EVERYBODY CROSSES OVER

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AND THEN I REALIZED
THAT MAYBE IT WAS TIME

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TO PUT ON STEVE'S GEAR AND
FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS TOO.

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AND THEN IT WAS VERY
CATHARTIC FOR ME.

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THERE COMES A POINT IN YOUR LIFE
WHEN YOU HAVE TO LET GO

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AND I'VE HAD TO DO THAT
IN THIS JOURNEY

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BUT IT STILL BRINGS ME BACK
WHEN I SEE STEVE'S BANNER

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ACROSS THE FINISH LINE,

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WHEN I SEE THE NAME
ON HIS BUNKER JACKET.

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IT TUGS AT YOUR SOUL BUT YOU
CAN'T LIVE IN THAT MOMENT.

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THE TUNNEL TO TOWERS RUN
IT JUST SPIRALED INTO SOMETHING

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THAT HAS BEEN TRULY
INSPIRATIONAL AND AMAZING

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AND WHAT MAKES IT SO AMAZING
TO ME IS THE VOLUNTEERS

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THAT KEEP THIS GOING AND
ENABLE THE SILLER FAMILY

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TO HELP PEOPLE BECAUSE
WITHOUT THE VOLUNTEERS

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WE WOULDN'T BE ANYWHERE.

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PEOPLE OFTEN WANT TO TALK
TO ME AND THEY ASK ME,

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"OH, DO YOU BELIEVE
YOUR HUSBAND WAS A HERO

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THE WAY HE SACRIFICED HIMSELF?"

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AND I TELL THEM,

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"MY HUSBAND WAS A HERO
THE WAY HE LIVED HIS LIFE," AND I THINK THAT SETS
THE WHOLE PRECEDENCE

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FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO
WERE TAKEN ON SEPTEMBER 11.

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YOU DON'T PROVE TO ANYBODY
THAT YOU LOVE THEM ANY MORE

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BY STAYING IN A BAD PLACE.

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I THINK YOU DO THE OPPOSITE.

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I THINK THAT YOU SHOW
THEIR GREAT LOVE

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AND HOW IMPORTANT THE PERSON
WAS FOR YOU IF YOU GO OUT

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AND YOU DO SOMETHING
POSITIVE IN THEIR NAME.

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EVERYBODY IS SO MOVED,
YOU KNOW, HERE WE ARE

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AND YOU STILL HAVE PEOPLE
COMING UP TO YOU

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AND THEY'RE MOVED
AND TOUCHED BY THE TOUR

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BUT THEY FEEL THIS NEED
TO PROCESS,

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TO SHARE THEIR STORY.

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I DO BELIEVE SEPTEMBER 11TH
HAS SOME POWER THING.

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I HAD TO STEP OUT
OF MY COMFORT ZONE

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AND DO THINGS I WOULDN'T
NORMALLY HAVE DONE

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OR DENNIS WOULD HAVE
BEEN DOING IT

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AND I WOULD'VE BEEN
TAKING THE PICTURES.

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THIS TRAGEDY COMPLETELY
KNOCKED US DOWN

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FOR QUITE A PERIOD OF TIME
BUT IT DID NOT BEAT US.

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YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE POSITIVE
IN ALL OF THIS

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AND PAY IT FORWARD AND THERE
IS POSITIVE IN SEPTEMBER 11,

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BECAUSE WE'RE STILL HERE
AND WE'RE STILL MOVING FORWARD

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AND WE'RE STILL HELPING PEOPLE.

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[ACOUSTIC GUITAR MUSIC]

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♪ YOU'RE NOT ALONE,
I'M WITH YOU, ♪

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♪ I'M GOIN' THERE TOO ♪

00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:44.240
♪ WHAT'S THAT SONG? ♪

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♪ CAN'T BE SUNG BY TWO ♪

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♪ A BROKEN HOME,
A BROKEN HEART, ♪

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♪ ISOLATED AND AFRAID,
OPEN UP, THIS IS A RAID ♪

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♪ I WANT TO GET IT
THROUGH TO YOU, ♪

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♪ YOU'RE NOT ALONE... ♪

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♪ AN OPEN HAND,
AN OPEN HEART. ♪

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♪ THERE'S NO NEED TO BE AFRAID
OPEN UP, THIS IS A RAID ♪

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♪ I WANT TO GET IT
THROUGH TO YOU, ♪

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♪ YOU'RE NOT ALONE... ♪♪