From A Majority of 9/11 Families

Three years ago, on the day that began as a beautiful September morning, 19 men and their sponsors carried out a brutal and devastating attack on our country, leaving 3,000 innocent men, women and children dead, including our loved ones. In those first agonizing hours, and for weeks and months afterward as we searched for word of their fate, we were aware that the shock and horror of that day was not ours alone. With a gratitude we could not yet express, we felt the strong and steady embrace of our fellow Americans. The words, “Never forget,” defiantly written in dust or humbly penned on makeshift memorials, were also permanently etched in our hearts. We will never forget your strength, your courage and your endless generosity.

We speak to you now in the same spirit that you spoke to us then, as Americans, united on behalf of our country. Like many of you, we feel that our nation is poised at a critical moment in history. Like our parents and grandparents before us, we know that the choices we make today will affect our children tomorrow. But we face a new challenge, a new kind of war and an enemy who is different from the enemies faced by earlier generations. This is not an adversary who can be reasoned with or appeased, this is an adversary who has repeatedly demonstrated that its means and ends are one and the same: the wanton slaughter of innocents.

After the attack, President Bush articulated the primary lesson of September 11, that simply reacting to danger after lives are lost is a weak and unacceptable national defense. He believes that taking the fight to the enemy is the best way to ensure that the enemy will not bring death to our doorstep here at home.

We agree.

Under the President‘s strong leadership in the war on terror and through the heroic efforts of our military forces, we are a safer country today. Two-thirds of al Qaeda leadership is dead, incarcerated, or on the run, its financing disrupted. The Taliban has been removed from power and training camps in Afghanistan and Iraq have been eliminated. On the domestic front, our dedicated law enforcement agencies are finally able to fight terror the same way they go after drug cartels; terrorists and terrorist cells have been thwarted in upstate New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Illinois and Florida.

The 9/11 Commission has provided this nation with a solid blueprint for going forward in the war on terror. It described the threat that killed our loved ones as a “gathering storm” which went unrecognized and unchecked for too many years and characterized the inability to predict the attack itself as a “failure of imagination.” Looking forward, the Commission offered this pointed warning, “Once the danger has fully materialized, evident to all, mobilizing action is easier--but it then may be too late.”

Through the prism of 9/11 and presaging the Commission’s conclusion, President Bush looked at Iraq and Saddam Hussein’s history, his willingness to use chemical weapons in the mass murder of his own citizens, his notorious attempts to acquire nuclear weapons, his record of giving financial aid and sanctuary to global terrorists--including members of al Qaeda--and his repeated refusal to cooperate with U.N. inspectors. He determined that this repressive regime was an intolerable danger to our country. Rather than waiting until it was too late to prevent a fully materialized threat, the President acted. We believe history will support the President’s decision.

We speak to you from the heart, as citizens from all across the country and every political stripe. We are Republicans and Democrats, “liberals” and “conservatives,” young and old. We are mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters and friends. We speak out from a profound sense of obligation to those we have lost and to the country that we love. Guided by core principles, President Bush has steadfastly told us who he is, what he believes and what he will fight for. He is a caring and decisive leader who is not afraid to make hard choices to keep this nation safe, by keeping it strong. He has sent a clear message to America’s friends and foes that he will not waver in his resolve as the winds of political fortune change. He will not revert to the failed policies of the past which only served to whet the appetite of those who would destroy us. He will stand firm against our adversaries.

As Americans who have keenly felt the scourge of terrorism, we are inspired and energized to follow the President’s lead, to rise to the occasion and get the job done. We are deeply grateful to President Bush, who rallied this nation on that dark September day, who has earned our respect and confidence, and whose leadership we trust to steer this country on the right path.

Three years ago, George W. Bush stood with us and vowed that he would “Never forget.”

We stand with him now.

CPT John Vigiano, FDNY (ret.)
father of FF John T Vigiano,
Ladder 132/FDNY, WTC attack &
DET Joseph V. Vigiano ESU 7,
NYPD, WTC attack

Ken and Laura Olson
Son and Daughter in Law of
Barbara Olson, AA 77, Pentagon attack, Ashburn, Virginia

Deena B. Burnett
Wife of Tom Burnett, UA flight 93,
Shanksville rebellion
Little Rock, AR

Hamilton Peterson & Julia Croft
Son & daughter-in-law
Douglas & Jean Hamilton
UA 93, Shanksville rebellion

Nancy & Charles Burcham
Sister of Stephen V. Long
Maj, Army, Pentagon attack
Danville, IN

Sue and Jim Weaver
Mother of Stephen Long
Maj, Army, Pentagon attack
Hazelwood, IN

Lynn Faulkner and
Loren and Ashley Faulkner
husband and daughters of
Wendy Ruth Faulkner
VP, AON Corporation
104th Floor, 2 WTC

Debra Burlingame & Bob Fraina
Sister of Charles Burlingame
Capt, AA 77, Pentagon attack
Pelham Manor, NY

Mark & Anine Burlingame
Brother of Charles Burlingame
Capt, AA 77, Pentagon attack
Philadelphia, PA

Jackie & Wayne Burlingame
Aunt/uncle of Charles Burlingame
Capt, AA 77, Pentagon attack

Robert & Suzanne Peraza
Parents of Robert David Peraza
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack
Mason, Ohio

Ada Garland
Godmother to Robert David Peraza
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Rob and Joan Burton
brother-in-law & sister to
Robert D. Peraza
Cantor Fitzgerald, 105th FL,

Maria Elenbaas
Cousin to
Robert David Peraza
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTCWTC 1

Bill and Linda Comber
Uncle and Aunt of
Robert David Peraza
Cantor Fitzgerald, 105th FL, WTC 1

Cornelius J. Comber
Grandfather of Robert Peraza
Cantor Fitzgerald, 105th FL, WTC 1

Neil Peraza, brother of
Robert David Peraza
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC 1

Ernest and Mary Ann Strada
Parents of Thomas S. Strada
Canter Fitzgerald, WTC attack
Westbury, NY

Susan Cronin
Sister of Thomas S. Strada
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack
Westbury, NY

Michael Strada
Brother of Thomas S. Strada
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Joseph Strada
Brother of Thomas S. Strada
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Dolores and Peter Owens, Sr.
Parents of Peter Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack
East Williston, NY

John Owens
Brother of Peter Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack
Mineola, NY

Pam & Tom Gould
Daughter of Patrick Driscoll
UA 93, Shanksville rebellion
Allendale, NJ

Nora, Steve & Christine Coco
sister, brother-in-law, & niece of LT Joseph G. Leavey
Ladder 15, FDNY, WTC

Patty & Tim Sumner
sister & brother-in-law of
LT Joseph G. Leavey
Ladder 15, FDNY, WTC

Barry K. Gore
Brother of Jennifer Lewis
Brother-in-law of Ken Lewis
crew members, AA Flight 77 Pentagon attack

Karen Coakley Struzik
& Husband Gary Struzik
Cousin of Kenny and Jennifer Lewis
Crew, AA 77, Pentagon Attack
Potomac Falls, VA

Thomas A. Crawford, III
Orange County, CA
Cousin of Michael A. Uliano,
WTC attack

Bernice Dowdy Coakley
Aunt of Kenny Lewis
and his wife Jennifer
crew members, AA Flight 77
Pentagon attack

Lorraine & Andrew Klein
Denver, Colorado
Cousin to Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Loretta O'Brien
Cousin of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Margret O'Brien
Cousin of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Chris Whitford
Brother of Firefighter Mark Whitford
Engine 23, FDNY, WTC

Dominic J. Puopolo, Jr.
Son of Sonia Morales Puopolo
Passenger AA 11, WTC 1
Miami Beach, FL

Wendy D. Burlingame
Daughter of Capt Charles Burlingame
Flight 77 Pentagon attack

Dr. Craig W. Sincock
Husband of Cheryle D. Sincock
Dept of Army civilian
Pentagon attack

Claire Cunningham
Aunt of Peter J. Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Daniel McDonnell
Uncle of Peter J. Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack.

Thomas Owens
Brother of Peter J. Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack.

Edward R. Cunningham
Cousin of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Claire Y. Cunningham
Aunt of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Greg and Moira Pellegrino
Cousin of Kenny and Jennifer Lewis
crew, AA flight 77, Pentagon attack

Mary & Richard Busche
Cousin of Peter Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Lois Olmstead
Cousin of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

David B. Faulk
Brother-in-law of
Major Steve Long, Army
Pentagon attack

Brian Grauer
Brother-in-law of Michael Horn
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Dominic & Patricia Schiavo
father-in-law and mother-in-law of
Jack L. D'Ambrosi
Cantor Fitzgerald
103 floor, WTC attack

Lauryn Haffner
Sister-in-law of Peter J. Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Agnes Maida, Aunt of
Howard G. Gelling
Sandler O'Neill
WTC, South Twr, 104th FL

Gail Skennion
extended family of
LT Joseph G. Leavey,
Ladder 15, FDNY

Jason Fox
Friend of Charles Droz and
William Caswell, AA Flight 77

Brad & Diane Senter
President of the USS Saratoga
Association and former shipmate of
Charles "Chic" Burlingame

COL John F. McCall USAF
Friend of Charles "Chic" Burlingame
Capt. AA flt 77

Katherine Harrs
Family friend of Thomas S. Strada
Canter Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Mike Cohen
Naval Academy classmate of
Chic Burlingame, Capt. AA flt 77

Joe & Joan Olexa
Friends of Burlingame
family for 40+ years and
Charles Burlingame, Capt. AA flt 77

Mike & Barb Miller
Friends of
Vic Saracini, Capt, UA flt 175
and Chic Burlingame, Capt. AA flt 77

Terry Arford
Friend of Chick Burlingame,
Captain of AA flt 77, and fellow member of the Anaheim Band

Marshall & Pamela Stomel
Friends of family of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC

Blanton & Meissa Gentry
Friends of family of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack

John and Julia Chan
Peoria, IL, parents of
Charles Lawrence "Chip" Chan
Cantor Fitzgerald, 105th Fl, 1 WTC

William Lang II
Father of Roseanne Lang
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC
and grandfather of
Brendan Lang, WTC

William Lang III
Father of Brendan Lang
WTC North Tower and
brother of Roseanne Lang
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC

Linda & Tom Wilkonski
Cousin of Roseanne Lang, WTC
and Brenden Lang, WTC

Edward W. McGrain
Uncle to the wife of Paul Tegtmeier
Engine 4, FDNY, WTC

John Antretter
Friend/Brother of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC

Judy and Ron Knight
Sister & brother-in-law
of Frank Wisniewski, VP, Cantor Fitzgerald, 104th Floor, WTC

Michael Nott
Friend of Charles Burlingame
Capt, AA 77, Pentagon attack
Orlando, FL

Mike & Maria Ragonese
Brother & sister-in-law of
Laura Marie Ragonese-Snik
AON Consultant, 101 Floor
South Tower, WTC


Loisanne, Jason, and
Jeannette Diehl, wife and children of
Michael D. Diehl
VP, Fiduciary Trust CO.
International, 2 WTC

Nancy K. Nee
Grieving sister of George C. Cain
FDNY, Ladder 7,
Marriott Hotel, WTC

Rosemary Cain
Mother of FF George C. Cain
FDNY, Ladder 7,
Marriott Hotel, WTC

Leslie Dimmling,
Wife of William Dimmling,
Senior VP, Marsh McLennan
North Tower, WTC

Bill McGough
Cousin to Kaleen Pezzuti and
Todd Pelino, Cantor Fitzgerald,
1 WTC, 101st floor

Walter Hamilton
Son of Felicia Hamilton
Fiduciary Trust, South Tower, WTC

Frank Mistretta, NYPD (retired)
Friend and former coworker of
SGT Timothy Roy, NYPD, WTC

Jean Waletich
Cousin of Patrick S. Dunn
Commander, USN, Pentagon

Carey Pierce
Brother of Dennis J. Pierce
Senior Auditor, NYS Dept of Taxation
South Tower, 86th Floor

Julius Zodda
Cousin of William Dimmling,
Senior VP, Marsh McLennan
North Tower, WTC

Michael Field
Sigma Chi fraternity brother,
University of Wisconsin, of
Kevin Francis Cleary
Broker, Euro Brokers Inc., WTC

Jeffrey Namm
Godfather of James Andrew Gadiel
Cantor Fitzgerald
103d Floor, North Tower, WTC

Maureen Morrison
Cousin To Ronald J. Hemenway
ET1, Navy, Pentagon attack

Patricia & Raymond Sellek
Sister & Brother-in-law of
Wilson & Darlene Flagg
AA 77, Pentagon Attack

Paul and Nassima Wachtler
parents of
Gregory Kamal Bruno Wachtler
Fred Alger Management
North Tower, 93rd fl

Barbara E. Lang, friend of
Robert C. Miller, Aon Corp., WTC
and SGT Thomas E. Jurgens,
NY State Court Officer, WTC

Ken Haskell,
Brother of
FF Tim Haskell, Squad 18 and
Battalion Chief Tom Haskell
FDNY, WTC

Brian Kevin Smith
Son of murdered
Firefighter Kevin J. Smith
FDNY, Haz-Mat Company 1
North Tower, WTC
Arlene Howard
Mother of Port Authority of NY & NJ
Police Officer George Gerard Howard
JFK ESU unit 8, WTC Tower 1

Christopher Howard
Son of Port Authority Police Officer
George Gerard Howard
JFK ESU truck 8, WTC Tower 1

Jimmy Boyle
Father of Michael Boyle
FDNY Engine 33, WTC attack
Westbury, NY

Marc & Michelle Flagg
Son of Wilson & Darlene Flagg
AA 77, Pentagon attack
Florida

Michael and Mary Flagg
Son of Wilson & Darlene Flagg
AA 77, Pentagon attack
Winchester, VA

Bob & Brit Gore
Parents and in-laws of
Jennifer & Kenneth Lewis
Crew, AA 77, Pentagon attack

Robert & Dawn Hemenway
Brother of Ronald J. Hemenway
ET1 Navy, Pentagon attack

Capt. Tom Lombardo
Friend of Charles Burlingame
Capt, AA 77, Pentagon attack
Gainesville, VA

Bart & Susan Whitman
Friend of Charles Burlingame
Pilot, AA flt. 77, Pentagon attack
Alexandria, VA

Kathryn Griffin
Friend of Charles F. Burlingame
Capt, AA 77, Pentagon attack
Washington, D.C.

Charles & Nancy Burcham Faulk
Brother in-law & Sister of
Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack
Danville, IN

Sue & James Weaver
Mother & Stepfather of
Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon attack
Hazelwood, IN

George Long
Father of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon attack
Martinsville, IN

Sharon Miles
Aunt of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack
Montrose, CO

Connie Mastin
Aunt of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon attack
Hayward, WI

Tina Long
Wife of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack
Augusta, GA

Phil & Lynn Danforth
Uncle/Aunt of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon attack
Overland Park, KS

Jennifer Iannotti
Sister of Thomas S. Strada
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Robert & Shirley Hemenway
Parents of Ronald J. Hemenway,
ET1, Navy, Pentagon attack
Shawnee, KS

Betsy A. Gore
Sister-in-law of Jennifer and Ken Lewis
crew members, AA Flight 77
Pentagon attack

Linda Pohlmann
Wife of William H. Pohlmann
NYS Taxation Dept
WTC attack

Dr & Mrs Kenneth Paul Ambrose
Parents of Paul Wesley Ambrose, M.D.,
MPH, Sr. Clinical Advisor
to Surgeon General Satcher
AA Flight 77 Pentagon

Denis and Suzana Coakley
Cousin and cousin-in-law of
Ken and Jennifer Lewis,
AA crew members, Pentagon

Ray and Kathy Campbell
Yankton South Dakota
Cousin (Ray) to Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC

Elizabeth Stanton
Cousin of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Susan Weaver
Hazelwood, IN
Step-Sister of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon

Bernard & Patricia Welsh
Cousin of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Jana Y. Lovick
Family friend of
Major Stephen V. Long
Army, Pentagon Attack

Catherine T. Puwalski
Friend of Strada Family
in Memory of Thomas S. Strada
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack
Westbury, NY

Noreen and Jim Considine
Aunt and Uncle of Peter J. Owens Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC

Diane Edwards
her husband is the cousin of
Dennis M. Edwards
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC

Nancy and Tom Mulligan
Parents of Peter James Mulligan
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Terence & Joan Owens
Brother of Peter J. Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack.

Kevin & Lorraine Owens
Brother of Peter J. Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack.

Elizabeth Stanton
Cousin of Peter J. Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Thomas Stanton
Cousin of Peter J. Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Elizabeth Stanton
Cousin of Peter J. Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

David Coakley
Cousin of Kenny Lewis
and his wife Jennifer
crew, AA Flight 77, Pentagon attack

Bernard and Patricia Welsh
Cousin of Peter Owens Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Kathleen Leone
Cousin of Peter Owens Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Kevin J. Welsh
Cousin of Peter Owens Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Joanne McMahon
Cousin of Peter J. Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Kate Owens
Sister-in-law of
Peter J. Owens, Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC

Juan A. Cruz-Santiago
Civilian Accountant
US Army, Pentagon Survivor

Barbara and Sean Bailey
Aunt and Uncle of Brett Bailey,
who along with their niece's
husband, Robert Coll,
died in the North Tower

Jordan Cayne
Father of Jason David Cayne
VP, Cantor Fitzgerald
104 floor, WTC attack

Robert Debrot
Cousin to Howard Gelling Jr.
WTC attack

Jack Debrot
Cousin of Howard Gelling
WTC attack

Lynne (last name withheld
at submitter's request)
Cousin of Ricardo Quinn
FDNY Paramedic, WTC attack

Ed Lamadore, friend
of FDNY firefighters
Ken Hatten, Ed Sweeney,
Bill Burke, & Joe Spor
who each lost sons in
the WTC attack

Jean Pangarliotas
Friend of family of Peter Owen
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

Jennifer Taddeo
Friend of family of Peter Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC

Cindy Justice
Friend of family of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack

Becky Marsh
Friend of family of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack

Sherry M. Allen
Friend of family of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack

Bill Brown (retired
American Airlines pilot)
Friends of crews members
of both America Airlines
flights 11 and 77

C. R. (Bob) Paty
Friend of Captain Chic Burlingame
AA Flight 77

Nancy Thompson
Friend of family of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack

Louise Hoffman
Friend of family of Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack

Michelle, Chris & Lisa Hornbaker
Sister, Nephew, & Niece of
Stephen V. Long
Major, Army, Pentagon Attack
Martinsville, Indiana

Richard P. Lang
Brother of Roseanne Lang
Cantor Fitzergald, WTC
Uncle of Brenden Lang, WTC

Timothy J Lang
Brother of Rosanne P. Lang, WTC,
and Uncle of Brendan Lang
Structuretone Inc., WTC

Andrew Caspersen
Boyfriend of Catherine F. MacRae
Fred Alger Management
93rd Floor, 1 WTC

Robert Heller
Brother of H. Joseph Heller
Carr Futures, 1 WTC

Colleen and Rob Rastovich
Sister and Brother-in-law
of H. Joseph Heller
Carr Futures, 1 WTC

Robert & Peggy Scandole
Parents of Robert Scandole
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC Attack

NYPD Detective
Christopher Scandole
Brother of Robert Scandole
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC

Thomasine Aberle
Aunt of Robert Scandole
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC Attack

Vincent Scandole
Uncle of Robert Scandole
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC Attack


Maria Cella
Niece of H. Joseph Heller
Carr Futures, 1 WTC

Roberta Heller
Mother of H.Joseph Heller
Carr Futures, 1 WTC

Patrick Michael Heller
and his wife, Corie,
Cousin to H. Joseph Heller
Carr Futures, 1 WTC

Police Officer David Lim
Port Authority Police
K-9 Unit, Handler & friend
of K-9 Sirius #17
Killed in 2 WTC (B-1 level)

Anthony & Mary Ellen DiBona
Friends of Captain
Charles "Chic" Burlingame
American Airlines Flight 77

Stephanie L. Capps
Niece of Linda L. New
Girlfriend of FF Steven Coakley,
Firehouse 217, 1 WTC

David Huczko
Brother of Port Authority Police Office
Stephen Huczko, North Tower, WTC
and brother of Richard Huczko,
GE contractor, who was
killed in Iraq 3/29/2004

Christopher F. O'Conor
Cousin of Patrick S. Dunn
Commander, USN, Pentagon

Patricia A. O'Conor
Aunt of Patrick S. Dunn
CDR, USN, Pentagon

Stephen F. O'Conor
Cousin of Patrick S. Dunn
Commander, USN, Pentagon

Patricia D. and Richard J. Clark
Parents of Thomas "Tommy" R. Clark
VP, Sandler O'Neill
104th Fl, South Tower, WTC

Maureen and John Harrigan
Cousin (Maureen) of
Peter J. Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald, WTC attack

James and Marie McMahon
Cousins of Peter J. Owens Jr.
Cantor Fitzgerald - North Tower WTC

J.T. McMahon
Cousin of Peter J. Owens
Cantor Fitzgerald - WTC Attack

Bert Wooley
Brother of CPT David T. Wooley
FDNY, Ladder 4 Engine 54,
South Tower, WTC

Mary Otto
Mother of CPT David T. Wooley
FDNY, Ladder 4 Engine 54,
South Tower, WTC

Patricia Brennan
Aunt of FF Michael Brennan
FDNY, Ladder 4
Marriott Hotel, WTC

Charles Barberi, Sgt, NYPD
Cousin to Edward Strauss
Port Authority of NY & NJ
South Tower, WTC

Jim & Joan Sullivan
Parents of
Lt. Christopher P. Sullivan
FDNY, Ladder 111
WTC, South Tower

Heidi Hochwarth
Sister-in-law of
Firefighter Kenneth Marino
FDNY, Rescue 1, WTC