On this September 11th, 16 years after the devastating attack that impacted us all, we still remember those killed. Why is that important? We remember to ensure every person knows the impact of violence, and that it is never a means to effect change. We remember for the mother, father, brother, sister, and friend to show that each life is dear to us. Pause for a moment with us today, and remember.

Oklahomans

We remember the Oklahomans who were killed on 9/11. Steve Milam, Brian Anthony Moss, and Chin Sun Pak Wells were killed in in the Pentagon. David Berry, Wayne T. Davis, David Harlow Rice, and Jayesh Shah were killed in the World Trade Center. The shared experience between #OKC and #NYC following the attacks connects these cities.

4/95 and 9/11 Heroes

22 years ago, Sgt. Michael S. Curtin NYPD-ESU, Lt. Kevin C. Dowdell FDNY, Deputy Chief Raymond M. Downey FDNY, Lt. Michael A. Esposito FDNY, Battalion Chief John J. Fanning FDNY, Capt. Terrence S. Hatton FDNY, FF William D. Lake FDNY, PO Thomas Langone NYPD-ESU, and Lt. Peter C. Martin FDNY responded to the Oklahoma City bombing helping with the rescue and recovery.

16 years ago, these same heroes ran into the Twin Towers to save lives. Tragically they were killed in the collapse of the towers.

Today, we honor these heroes and the other brave responders who gave their lives to selflessly save others.

A Family Member’s Journey to Help

Janet Ehrlich-Walker, who lost her husband David in the Oklahoma City bombing, went to NYC in the aftermath of 9/11 to help families cope with the loss of a loved one.

I had the honor and privilege of going to New York City for the hardest, yet most rewarding mission I have ever been called to do. I rode a ferry three times a day with families who had loved ones missing. I would greet them with, ‘Hello, my name is Janet Walker and I am from Oklahoma City. I am sorry for your loss.’ With glazed eyes, they would nod and say thank you. I would then say, ‘I know your pain,’ and they would look at me as to say, how could you? Then I would tell them, ‘I lost my husband in the Oklahoma City bombing.’ Their eyes would open as they gasped and grabbed me and said, ‘I am so sorry. Thank you for being here. God bless you.’ The bond was made. They knew I truly did know their pain. I held them and told them the truth: that they will never find closure. In fact, they come to hate that word. And I told them that life will get better: ‘I swear to God it will get better; not today, not tomorrow, but it will get better.’ Then I boarded the ferry for the twenty-minute ride, a seven-block walk to Ground Zero, a visit at the site and then return trip on the ferry with just enough time for brief good-byes before meeting the next boat. ‘Hi, my name is Janet Walker and I am from Oklahoma City… – Janet Ehrlich-Walker