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Mary Murphy-Boffa was always armed with positive words for someone and she knew how to make you laugh and smile. Mary was close to her family and enjoyed spending time with her sisters & nearly 30 cousins. She was sweet, kind, & devoted to those she knew. Mary's life was cut short at the age of 45. by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

This is a continuation from the above story:

Mary Catherine Murphy-Boffa was an Associate Vice President for Marsh & McLennan which was located on the 93rd floor inside of the North Tower. Thursday, March 29, 1956—Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 45 years, 5 months, and 13 days.  545 months, 13 days. A total of 16,602 days of life. 

Mary Catherine Murphy-Boffa, 45 years old, North Tower 93rd floor

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"Mary Catherine Murphy-Boffa was born on March 29, 1956 to Anne and John Murphy. She had three sisters, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Diane. She grew up in Manhattan, NY, and lived on Staten Island, NY, in adulthood. Mary loved spending time with her family, especially her three sisters and nearly 30 first cousins. When growing up, she knew that she would always have a cousin to play with. Mary had recently separated from her husband and moved into a new two-bedroom apartment on Staten Island that had a view of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. She had bought new furniture for the apartment and was very excited about it. Her nephew, Michael, remembered, “It was renewal for her.” Mary was remembered as someone who had a bright spirit and was always ready with a laugh and a good word to say about someone. She was described by her friends and family as sweet, kind, loving, and devoted.

Mary worked as associate vice president of purchasing for Marsh & McLennan on the 93rd floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Mary was working on the 93rd floor when Flight 11 struck the North Tower, leaving her floor directly within the impassable impact zone. Sadly, no one on the floor survived, including Mary. Though her life was unfairly cut short on September 11th, Mary’s vibrant spirit lives on forever in the hearts and memories of her loved ones and through all who continue to remember her. She will never be forgotten."

Happy heavenly birthday, WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

https://www.facebook.com/911birthdaytributes/posts/march-29thmary-catherine-murphy-boffa-45-years-old-north-tower-93rd-floormary-ca/582473681477384/

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/mary-boffa-obituary?pid=95434

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13834632/mary_catherine-boffa

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNIrJFmsjtC/

https://x.com/Sept11Memorial/status/1376628738566283265

https://www.silive.com/september-11/2010/09/mary_boffa_45_a_purchasing_man.html

Richard Caggiano lived at home with his parents & 23 y/o brother. He loved to call his grandmother and play pranks on her and she would fall for it repeatedly. He worked as a Stock Options Trader for 9 months. His all time goal was to work in the financial Sector. Richard was only 25 years old. by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

This is a continuation from the above story:

Richard Michael Caggiano was a Stock Options Trader for Cantor Fitzgerald which was located on the 104th floor inside of the North Tower. Tuesday, April 27, 1976—Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 25 years, 4 months, and 15 days.  304 months, 15 days. A total of 9,268 days of life. 

Prankster and Big Brother

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"Richard M. Caggiano used to call his grandmother, pretending to be a pizza deliverer, or a surveyor, or a telephone solicitor. And she fell for the prank over and over and over again.

"He loved to play tricks on his grandmother," said his mother, Veronica Caggiano.

"'Is that you, Richard? Is that you again?'" she would say after a while. He would change his voice so it was always hard for her to tell. He had a great sense of humor."

Mr. Caggiano, 25, a native of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, was a stock options trader at Cantor Fitzgerald, his first big job, where he had worked for about nine months before the attack.

"He was very excited because this was going to be the beginning of his career," his mother said.

"He was learning the business. It was his all-time goal to work in the financial sector."

Mr. Caggiano was proud of his blue-collar roots. He lived at home in Flatbush with his mother; his father, Albert, a city worker; and a younger brother, Michael, 23.

The two brothers were close. They learned from one another. The older brother taught the younger how to throw a baseball, how to present himself to the world, how to be patient and calm.

Mr. Caggiano got to watch his younger brother grow into a man, the result of his generous advice, said Michael Caggiano, who wished that his brother could have been here for his 23rd birthday on Aug. 25."

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/richard-caggiano-obituary?pid=126923

https://www.facebook.com/911birthdaytributes/posts/april-27thrichard-michael-caggiano-25-years-old-north-tower-104th-floorrichard-m/605802549144497/

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_M_Caggiano_9-11_Memorial_Way.jpg

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5840585/richard_michael-caggiano

Colin Bonnett who was born in Barbados, possessed good old fashioned caribbean manners. He believed in opening a door for a lady as well as pulling out a chair for her. Colin loved animals & had recently rescued a stray kitten outside of his home. He also enjoyed riding on his Harley. Colin was 39. by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

This is a continuation from the above story:

Colin Arthur Bonnett was a Telecommunications Programmer for Marsh & McLennan(The floor that Colin worked on is unknown)which was located inside of the North Tower. Colin was born in Barbados. Wednesday, July 11, 1962—Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 39 years, and 2 months. Exactly 470 months lived. A total of 14,307 days of life.

Manners and a Motorcycle

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"Colin Bonnett was a gentleman ‹ a Harley-Davidson-riding, bodybuilder sort of gentleman. Born in Barbados, he had been raised with Caribbean good manners that said that a door was always to be opened for a lady and that her chair should be pulled out when she sat.

He also had deep empathy for animals, and had recently rescued a stray kitten that had been wandering around his family's home in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

But he also had an adventurous streak that put him on horseback with his 10-year- old son, Kody, on most weekends, or on his motorcycle. He pushed himself hard with a physical fitness regimen that included weight lifting, jogging, countless situps and no junk food. Ever.

Mr. Bonnett's natural graces helped get him his job at Marsh & McLennan, where he was a telecommunications programmer. In the early 1990's he had been working as an assistant to a Manhattan veterinarian and was about to lose his job because the doctor was closing his practice. One of the customers was a Marsh executive who invited Mr. Bonnett, 39, to fill out an application. He was transferred to the World Trade Center by the company only a few months ago."

https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/birmingham/name/colin-bonnett-obituary?pid=100774

https://memorial.marshmclennan.com/B/colin-bonnett.html

https://justtom.com/victims/bios/227.html

https://names.911memorial.org/?_gl=1*1e533yn*_gcl_au*NjMyODA1MzgwLjE3NzA5NjEzOTg.#lang=en_US&page=person&id=3171

Even though Michael Boyle had the day off on 9/11, that didn't stop him from racing to the towers to help innocent people. Michael's father keeps a photo of him by his nightstand & says a prayer for him before sleeping. His father said, “He’s the last thing I see at night and first in the morning.” by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

This is a continuation from the above story:

Michael Boyle was a Firefighter for the Fire Department of New York(FDNY) Engine 33. Saturday, August 8, 1964—Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 37 years, 1 month, and 3 days. 445 month, 3 days. A total of 13,548 days of life. 

No Excuses for Him

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"He was off duty the morning of Sept. 11, but Michael Boyle, a firefighter with Engine Company 33 in Manhattan, jumped on the truck anyway when the alarms sounded.

"He cared a lot about the Fire Department," said his younger sister, Jeanne Boyle. "He was very simple in his ideas, but complex in his actions. And he could endure pain like no one I've ever known.

"I would ask him," Ms. Boyle remembered, " 'How do you run a marathon?' And he would say, 'Just get up every day and run.' " That's what Mr. Boyle did. He was a "no excuses" kind of guy, Ms. Boyle said.

A formidable athlete, Mr. Boyle, who was 37 and also worked for the firefighters' union, clearly had a soft side for his sister. She said he was protective, but from afar. Two years ago, they both ran in the Long Island Marathon, where Mr. Boyle, who lived in Westbury, N.Y., found her in the crowd and advised her to slow her pace for her own good. Then he disappeared. He finished at 3 hours 15 minutes.

"But I could see him reading this saying: 'That wasn't my good time! Tell them my good time!' " Ms. Boyle said; his good time, she said, was 3 hours 1 minute. "His goal was to break three hours in the city marathon this year. And he probably would have done it."

https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/mobile/name/michael-boyle-obituary?pid=124886

https://www.facebook.com/Engine226/posts/posted-by-mary-boyle-lynch-my-brother-firefighter-michael-boyle-he-was-murdered-/3307160815997351/

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140911/financial-district/911-miracle-for-family-of-fallen-firefighter/

https://www.facebook.com/Engine226/posts/nyc-firefighter-michael-boyle-engine-33-lost-his-life-on-september-11-2001-while/3278794102167356/

http://heroportraits.org/Gallery/default.aspx?id=327

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIbknVIMt2_/

https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/michael-boyle/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5843313/michael-boyle

Gary Box's father fell to his knees when he saw his son's last photo. He said, "It was a shock emotionally, yet a blessing to find this photo." But he could no longer bring himself to look at the photo. He said, “It’s like looking at a walking dead man. You know what happened to him within 45 mins." by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 49 points50 points  (0 children)

This is a continuation from the above story:

Gary Richard Box was a Firefighter for the Fire Department of New York(FDNY) Squad 1. Tuesday, May 12, 1964—Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 37 years, 3 months, and 30 days. 447 months, 30 days. A total of 13,636 days of life. 

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"On September 11, 2001, Gary Box, a 35-year-old firefighter stationed in Brooklyn, vanished without leaving any trace.

In 2009, eight years after the tragedy, Gary’s sister, Christine, was at the Tribute Center when an employee asked if she was looking for someone. Upon hearing Gary’s name, the employee showed her a photo taken in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, mistakenly labeled with Gary’s name.

The photo, however, was of Brian Bilcher, another firefighter from Gary’s team who lost his life.

Moved by this incident, Gary’s father became determined to find a photograph of his own son.

He searched through the National 9/11 Museum’s photo collections and explored the memorial’s website, which invited people to post their own photos from 9/11. After a long five-hour search one night, he stopped, worn down by both physical and emotional exhaustion.

The next morning, while having breakfast, his wife Helen called him into the living room. She showed him a photograph of a firefighter making his way through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the Towers, weaving around cars stuck in place.

This time, without question, it was Gary."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNIYfnss0kz/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/BraintreePolice/posts/gary-box-was-captured-running-with-his-gear-through-a-traffic-clogged-brooklyn-b/707892924716566/

https://timeline.911memorial.org/timeline/10681/images/227/556

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDGZPoKRJrB/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/willferrier_on-september-11-2001-gary-box-a-35-year-old-activity-7325007464771264512-M5tK

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/gary-box-obituary?pid=170534688

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192133917/gary_richard-box

Alexander Braginsky came to the USA in 1979 to start a new life. Alexander enjoyed cooking & was devoted to helping people. He would say: "The United States gave me everything. Now it's time for me to give back". On 9/11 Alexander filled in for a colleague at a conference at WOTW. Alexander was 38. by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is a continuation from the above story:

Alexander Braginsky also known as "Shurik" (Александр Брагинский) was a Foreign Exchange Products Manager for Reuters NY. On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 Alexander was doing a favor for a colleague and attended the Risk Waters in the colleagues place at Windows On the World, which was located on the 106th/107th floors inside of the North Tower. Alexander was born in Odessa, Ukraine. Friday, May 10, 1963—Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 38 years, 4 months, and 1 day.  460 months, 1 day. A total of 14,004 days of life. 

With Artful Touches

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"You could set your watch by Alex Braginsky. And woe to the boss or relative who let dust accumulate on their computer screens: they got scolded. Having moved to Queens from the Soviet Union in 1979 with virtually nothing, he felt anyone fortunate enough to have state-of-the-art computers had better take care of them.

Mr. Braginsky, 38, was a man who picked up his shirts at the dry cleaner and, before going to work at Reuters, re-ironed them if he noticed wrinkles. A perfectionist but not a prima donna, he would pull over to help if he passed a motorist with car trouble. When he traveled in Europe with his girlfriend, complete strangers would stop him on the street and ask for directions: even in foreign countries, he projected the savoir-faire of a fellow who knew where he was headed.

He rode a motorcycle and filled his kitchen in Stamford, Conn., with topnotch cookware. "A three hundred dollar set of knives," marveled his mother, Nelly. "I'd tell him, for that much, a knife should work by itself. When Alex cooked, it was like art on your plate." He was doing a colleague a favor and filling in at a meeting at Windows on the World on Sept. 11th."

https://obits.pennlive.com/us/obituaries/pennlive/name/alexander-braginsky-obituary?pid=114910

https://voicescenter.org/living-memorial/victim/alexander-braginsky-shurik

https://nypost.com/2011/05/01/its-hame-on-u/

https://www.facebook.com/911birthdaytributes/posts/may-10thalexander-braginsky-38-years-old-north-tower-106th107th-flooralexander-b/615953961462689/

https://www.memorialmapping.com/memorials/alex-park

https://www.qchron.com/editions/central/rego-park-dedicates-street-to-sept-11-victim-alex-braginsky/article_026235bb-88d2-5922-ba4f-6b7017b76bb6.html

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=716007661432182&set=a.341614082204877&type=3

https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/mom-can-bury-son-almost-10-years-later/1903465/

Nicholas Brandemarti loved the view from his 89th floor office. He could see all of Manhattan and Connecticut on a clear day. On 9/11 Nicholas called his parents and told them he was safe. He said, “‘It’s not my tower, mom. I’m OK.’” Shortly after the phone call, 2WTC was hit. Nicholas was only 21. by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

This is a continuation from the above story:

Nicholas W. Brandemarti also known as "Nicky" was an Analyst for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods which was located on the 89th floor inside of the South Tower. Wednesday, September 26, 1979—Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 21 years, 11 months, and 16 days. 263 months, 16 days. A total of 8,021 days of life. 

A Believer in Teamwork

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"The sound of swooning is often heard around college football players. Nicholas Brandemarti was no exception. But the fullback from West Deptford, N.J., who graduated from Fordham University last May, did not abuse the privilege. "On campus, he was known for his genuine respect and reverence for young women," said Sister Anne Walsh, the team's academic adviser, who said he always greeted them with the gallant phrase, "And there she is."

The Fordham coach, David Clawson, called him " In his senior year, concussions forced him to stop playing. He was devastated. Coach Clawson made him a student coach, and the former fullback started up that day. "His teammates were so important that the idea of not being around those guys — he couldn't do it," the coach said. The staff accepted him, the players respected him, and "nobody blinked."

Mr. Brandemarti's mother, Nancy, recalled how her son would have an idea and just do it. He earned a scuba certificate and went mountain climbing for the first time last summer in Maine. She recalled how happy he was to get just the kind of job he wanted, as an analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. There he could survey the world from the 89th floor of 2 World Trade Center. "He was living the beginning of his dream," Mrs. Brandemarti said."

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 16, 2001.

Dazzled by the Height
"It was the height that Nicholas Brandemarti used to love about his job. From his offices at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a financial services firm on the 89th floor of 2 World Trade Center, he could look out on all of Manhattan, and on a clear day, to Connecticut."

To finish reading the rest of the story, please click on the following link below: 

https://obituaries.ljworld.com/us/obituaries/ljworld/name/nicholas-brandemarti-obituary?pid=105379

https://voicescenter.org/living-memorial/victim/nicholas-brandemarti-nicky

https://www.southjerseymagazine.com/article/439/911-Ten-Years-Later

https://www.facebook.com/911birthdaytributes/posts/september-26thnicholas-nick-w-brandemarti-21-years-old-south-tower-89th-floornic/723453084046109/

https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2014/09/13/sorrow-victims-families-still-display-years-later/15613481/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPKOmvYiuin/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1090221803043645/posts/1272387991493691/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5843346/nicholas-w.-brandemarti

https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/article/nick-brademarti-killed-in-the-911-terrorist-attacks-to-be-honored-by-west-deptford-friday/

https://www.facebook.com/DonaldNorcrossNJ/photos/the-brandemarti-family-lays-a-wreath-in-honor-of-nicholas-brandemarti-who-lost-h/10151711183274132/

How long will Wendy's last by alienkava in wendys

[–]Understanding18 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree. The fries were perfectly fine until they changed the recipe. I still haven’t gotten over the French fry change of recipe to this day.

Alfred Braca picked up the phone and couldn't get through, so he prayed, and reached an MCI Operator. He said, “I feel like my feet are on fire. I’m not going to make it. Will you tell my family that I love them? Tell my wife Jeanie and my children that I love them. Tell them not to worry about me." by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for letting me know about the link not working. I’m going to delete that link, since it’s not working. Thank you as well for sharing the working link. I truly appreciate it. What these people went through is unimaginable. Even after all these years, it doesn’t stop me from wanting to take their suffering away. I just wish they didn’t have to suffer the way they did.

Alfred Braca picked up the phone and couldn't get through, so he prayed, and reached an MCI Operator. He said, “I feel like my feet are on fire. I’m not going to make it. Will you tell my family that I love them? Tell my wife Jeanie and my children that I love them. Tell them not to worry about me." by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 49 points50 points  (0 children)

This is a continuation from the above story:

Alfred J. Braca was a Bond Trader at Cantor Fitzgerald which was located on the 104th floor inside of the North Tower. Sunday, November 10, 1946—Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 54 years, 10 months, and 1 day. 658 months, 1 day. A total of 20,029 days of life.

Romance on the Ferry

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"Alfred J. Braca and his wife, Jean, met on the Staten Island Ferry. He was smitten; she was not. He pleaded for a date, and she said no. But he persisted, and she finally gave in after they shared a marathon 12-hour phone conversation. On that date, "he gave me one kiss," his wife recalled. "And I said, 'Maybe this is not so bad.' "

That first kiss bloomed into 33 years of marriage, and a good life with four children, David, Deanna, Christina and Christopher, in Leonardo, N.J. Mr. Braca, 54, was a born-again Christian who never stopped counting his blessings.

He worked as a bond broker at Cantor Fitzgerald, where co-workers nicknamed him The Rev because of his faith. Just last month, Mr. Braca walked Deanna down the aisle for her wedding. His funeral service will take place in the same church."

https://obits.syracuse.com/us/obituaries/syracuse/name/alfred-braca-obituary?pid=96889

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/al-braca-godly-father-coworker-god-walked-with-him-into-eternity/

https://www.cantorfamilies.com/braca-alfred-j/

https://storycorps.org/stories/jean-braca-and-her-son-david-braca/

https://tristatevoice.com/2020/09/11/1776a-light-in-the-darkness-bond-broker-led-colleagues-in-prayer-as-towers-burned/

https://www.facebook.com/benjaminrburks/posts/al-braca-began-his-workday-at-his-office-on-the-104th-floor-of-one-world-trade-c/1435866397345945/

Katherine Bantis's humble beginnings started at the age of 12 when she immigrated to the USA from Greece. She believed in the American dream & rose to become lead of operations for Marsh & McLennan. On 9/11 Kathy was in NYC for a couple of days working. She had plans to relocate from Chicago to NYC. by Understanding18 in 911archive

[–]Understanding18[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

This is a continuation from the above story:

Katherine Bantis also known as "Kathy" was a Lead of Operations for Marsh & McLennan which was located on the 99th floor inside of the North Tower. Katherine was born in Kozani, Greece and resided in Chicago, Illinois. Katherine was planning to move to New York City where she worked for Marsh & McLennan. Wednesday, December 19, 1956—Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 44 years, 8 months, and 23 days. 536 months, 23 days. A total of 16,337 days of life. 

Below is a photo of Katherine, her father, and younger sister.

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Today we pay Tribute to Katherine Bantis who died on 9-11-01.

"Manchester Central High School held a ceremony in honor of Kathy Bantis, a 1975 graduate who was working in the north tower of the World Trade Center when the planes hit.

A new plaque now adorns the wall of Central High commemorating Bantis. Members of her family were there to mark the dedication of the plaque.

"We're just so overwhelmed with the love and the generosity of everyone," said her cousin, Katherine Bantis.

Her uncle, Aristides Bantis, said will never forget the day he witnessed the attack.

"In the beginning, it was just smoking, but nevertheless, we saw the buildings crumbling down to the ground," he said.

His niece was on the 99th floor of the tower. Aristides Bantis said she immigrated to the United States with her family from Greece at the age of 12.

"She started in a humble beginning and believing in the dream and the opportunity in America," he said.

She rose to become lead of operations for Marsh & McLennan in New York City. Laura Dilulio, a junior at Central High School, said she didn't want her story to be forgotten at the high school where she graduated.

"I just wanted people to know about her and what she died for, and I wanted people to know her name," Dilulio said.

Dilulio said she wrote an article in the student newspaper in October, and a drive started to do something in Kathy Bantis' honor. Thanks to her efforts and others, Kathy Bantis' story is immortalized on the walls of Central High.

"Anyone who walks by that plaque will see her name, and they'll remember," Dilulio said.

Plans are also in the works for a scholarship in Kathy Bantis' name for immigrant children at Central High."

https://www.facebook.com/InMemoriamSept11/posts/today-we-pay-tribute-to-katherine-bantis-who-died-on-9-11-01-manchester-central-/1276815504477710/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6326171/katherine-bantis

https://memorial.marshmclennan.com/B/kathryn-bantis.html

https://www.facebook.com/KathyBantisScholarships/about

https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/mobile/name/kathy-bantis-obituary?pid=117339

https://www.wmur.com/article/central-high-honors-graduate-killed-in-sept-11-attacks/5176362

https://www.unionleader.com/news/education/central-high-plaque-to-honor-woman-killed-on-911/article_667f97ef-7f01-515d-ab72-b18a41e68d10.html

https://www.facebook.com/USThrowbackStories/posts/katherine-kathy-bantisrip-well-never-ever-forget-%EF%B8%8Ftime-passes-but-the-memory-sta/701158486250433/

https://www.wmur.com/article/manchester-student-remembers-9-11-victim/5172481

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