Their parents left for work and never came home: From the 9/11 archives

60 Minutes Rewind 60 Minutes Rewind >> Of all the things we heard about >> Of all the things we heard about >> Of all the things we heard about September 11th, in many ways this is the September 11th, in many ways this is the September 11th, in many ways this is the most painful. It's estimated that 10,000 most painful. It's estimated that 10,000 most painful. It's estimated that 10,000 children lost a parent that day, a children lost a parent that day, a children lost a parent that day, a father or a mother who went to work and father or a mother who went to work and father or a mother who went to work and never came home. never came home. never came home. The children of September heard the The children of September heard the The children of September heard the sound of their parent leaving that sound of their parent leaving that sound of their parent leaving that morning, not knowing that the door was morning, not knowing that the door was morning, not knowing that the door was closing on dreams and hopes and all the closing on dreams and hopes and all the closing on dreams and hopes and all the days to follow. days to follow. days to follow. >> I think >> I think >> I think Well, on September 11th, I would tell Well, on September 11th, I would tell Well, on September 11th, I would tell him not to go to work. him not to go to work. him not to go to work. I just wish I could take a time travel I just wish I could take a time travel I just wish I could take a time travel and go back in time. and go back in time. and go back in time. And And And I would also tell him that I loved him. I would also tell him that I loved him. I would also tell him that I loved him. >> Danielle Spinelli is 8 years old. That's >> Danielle Spinelli is 8 years old. That's >> Danielle Spinelli is 8 years old. That's her dad, Frank Spinelli. Her brother her dad, Frank Spinelli. Her brother her dad, Frank Spinelli. Her brother Chris, 14, big sister Nicole, 18, and Chris, 14, big sister Nicole, 18, and Chris, 14, big sister Nicole, 18, and their mom, Michelle. their mom, Michelle. their mom, Michelle. >> What do you remember about that morning >> What do you remember about that morning >> What do you remember about that morning with your dad? with your dad? with your dad? >> He would uh kiss us goodbye in the >> He would uh kiss us goodbye in the >> He would uh kiss us goodbye in the morning. And it was just, you know, one morning. And it was just, you know, one morning. And it was just, you know, one of those things that you would just of those things that you would just of those things that you would just maybe roll over and just be like, "Dad, maybe roll over and just be like, "Dad, maybe roll over and just be like, "Dad, it's too early." But he told me one it's too early." But he told me one it's too early." But he told me one time, time, time, "You know, Nikki, I kiss you and your "You know, Nikki, I kiss you and your "You know, Nikki, I kiss you and your brother and sister goodbye in the brother and sister goodbye in the brother and sister goodbye in the morning to uh, you know, let you know morning to uh, you know, let you know morning to uh, you know, let you know that if anything ever happened to me at that if anything ever happened to me at that if anything ever happened to me at work that you would always know that I work that you would always know that I work that you would always know that I loved you."

loved you." loved you." >> Dad spent weekends shuttling the kids to >> Dad spent weekends shuttling the kids to >> Dad spent weekends shuttling the kids to soccer, lacrosse, football. soccer, lacrosse, football. soccer, lacrosse, football. By day he was a foreign exchange broker, By day he was a foreign exchange broker, By day he was a foreign exchange broker, but he often hurried home from his new but he often hurried home from his new but he often hurried home from his new job at the World Trade Center. job at the World Trade Center. job at the World Trade Center. September 11th, when the first plane September 11th, when the first plane September 11th, when the first plane hit, he called his wife so she wouldn't hit, he called his wife so she wouldn't hit, he called his wife so she wouldn't worry. worry. worry. >> Hi, honey. It's me. >> Hi, honey. It's me. >> Hi, honey. It's me. Plane hit the building. Plane hit the building. Plane hit the building. Um I'm okay. Uh the building's on fire. Um I'm okay. Uh the building's on fire. Um I'm okay. Uh the building's on fire. We're trying to get out. I love you. We're trying to get out. I love you. We're trying to get out. I love you. I'll see you later. I'll see you later. I'll see you later. >> Frank Spinelli was found in the wreckage >> Frank Spinelli was found in the wreckage >> Frank Spinelli was found in the wreckage 2 weeks before his 45th birthday. 2 weeks before his 45th birthday. 2 weeks before his 45th birthday. >> Every birthday, we'd always bake him a >> Every birthday, we'd always bake him a >> Every birthday, we'd always bake him a cake. cake. cake. And we'd always have presents in the And we'd always have presents in the And we'd always have presents in the dining room. dining room. dining room. >> Did you bake the cake anyway this year? >> Did you bake the cake anyway this year? >> Did you bake the cake anyway this year? >> Uh my mom and sister did, yeah. >> Uh my mom and sister did, yeah. >> Uh my mom and sister did, yeah. They did bake a cake. They did bake a cake. They did bake a cake. >> I just >> I just >> I just knew that if he was here that he'd want knew that if he was here that he'd want knew that if he was here that he'd want a cake. So, a cake. So, a cake. So, I just decided to make it with my mom. I just decided to make it with my mom. I just decided to make it with my mom. >> How's your mom?

>> How's your mom? >> How's your mom? >> Uh >> Uh >> Uh I guess she's all right. I mean, it's I guess she's all right. I mean, it's I guess she's all right. I mean, it's hard for her. I mean, I feel really bad hard for her. I mean, I feel really bad hard for her. I mean, I feel really bad for her. I mean, she gets up at 1:00 in for her. I mean, she gets up at 1:00 in for her. I mean, she gets up at 1:00 in the morning. Just can't go back to the morning. Just can't go back to the morning. Just can't go back to sleep. sleep. sleep. >> People all over the world are trying to >> People all over the world are trying to >> People all over the world are trying to make sense of this, and I think it's make sense of this, and I think it's make sense of this, and I think it's hard for everyone, kids and grown-ups hard for everyone, kids and grown-ups hard for everyone, kids and grown-ups alike, don't really understand alike, don't really understand alike, don't really understand why this would happen. why this would happen. why this would happen. What do you think of it when you try to What do you think of it when you try to What do you think of it when you try to understand it? understand it? understand it? >> I think that these people just took my >> I think that these people just took my >> I think that these people just took my dad away from us for like no good dad away from us for like no good dad away from us for like no good reason. reason. reason. I don't know why I don't know why I don't know why like if they met him, I knew I know that like if they met him, I knew I know that like if they met him, I knew I know that they'd change their mind. They just went they'd change their mind. They just went they'd change their mind. They just went and and and they were these loving people, and then they were these loving people, and then they were these loving people, and then they just had to take them away. they just had to take them away. they just had to take them away. So, that's what I feel of it. >> So many taken away in an instant. >> So many taken away in an instant. This weekend at Arlington National This weekend at Arlington National This weekend at Arlington National Cemetery, Tyler and Kelsey Williams said Cemetery, Tyler and Kelsey Williams said Cemetery, Tyler and Kelsey Williams said goodbye to their dad, US Army Major goodbye to their dad, US Army Major goodbye to their dad, US Army Major Dwayne Williams.

>> I was proud of what he did. >> I was proud of what he did. But then again, But then again, But then again, it was like I just wanted to see his it was like I just wanted to see his it was like I just wanted to see his face one last time. >> The Williams moved to the Washington >> The Williams moved to the Washington area with their father and mother, area with their father and mother, area with their father and mother, Tammy, just 3 months ago. Dwayne had a Tammy, just 3 months ago. Dwayne had a Tammy, just 3 months ago. Dwayne had a new job at the Pentagon. new job at the Pentagon. new job at the Pentagon. When their father didn't come home that When their father didn't come home that When their father didn't come home that evening, 13-year-old Kelsey, and Tyler, evening, 13-year-old Kelsey, and Tyler, evening, 13-year-old Kelsey, and Tyler, 17, began to write about their dad. 17, began to write about their dad. 17, began to write about their dad. >> I feel the pain of my father on my >> I feel the pain of my father on my >> I feel the pain of my father on my heart. I touch my father's face as if he heart. I touch my father's face as if he heart. I touch my father's face as if he were beside me. were beside me. were beside me. >> I couldn't picture life without you, and >> I couldn't picture life without you, and >> I couldn't picture life without you, and now it's here. It's like the devil now it's here. It's like the devil now it's here. It's like the devil looked in my mind and picked my worst looked in my mind and picked my worst looked in my mind and picked my worst fear. fear. fear. >> I say to myself that he is alive. I >> I say to myself that he is alive. I >> I say to myself that he is alive. I dream that he is walking through the dream that he is walking through the dream that he is walking through the door of my house and saying that he is door of my house and saying that he is door of my house and saying that he is okay. okay. okay. >> I let Mom lean on me cuz now I stand in >> I let Mom lean on me cuz now I stand in >> I let Mom lean on me cuz now I stand in your shoes. your shoes. your shoes. I don't know how you did it, but you got I don't know how you did it, but you got I don't know how you did it, but you got us through. Now when you look down at us through. Now when you look down at us through. Now when you look down at me, there's an image of you. me, there's an image of you. me, there's an image of you. >> Now when you look down at me, there's >> Now when you look down at me, there's >> Now when you look down at me, there's the image of you. the image of you. the image of you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's you. >> That's you. >> That's you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> A lot of boys, suddenly young men, see >> A lot of boys, suddenly young men, see >> A lot of boys, suddenly young men, see the image of their father in themselves.

the image of their father in themselves. the image of their father in themselves. Mike Shaw is 16, now helping to take Mike Shaw is 16, now helping to take Mike Shaw is 16, now helping to take care of his sister Nicole and his care of his sister Nicole and his care of his sister Nicole and his mother, Debbie. mother, Debbie. mother, Debbie. >> Now I come home every day after school >> Now I come home every day after school >> Now I come home every day after school to make sure that my mom's okay here. to make sure that my mom's okay here. to make sure that my mom's okay here. So I go in and check on my sister, make So I go in and check on my sister, make So I go in and check on my sister, make sure she's okay. Things my dad would sure she's okay. Things my dad would sure she's okay. Things my dad would have done. have done. have done. >> His dad, Jeff, was an electrician in the >> His dad, Jeff, was an electrician in the >> His dad, Jeff, was an electrician in the World Trade Center. Jeff knew every inch World Trade Center. Jeff knew every inch World Trade Center. Jeff knew every inch of those towers, and he loved them. of those towers, and he loved them. of those towers, and he loved them. When the first plane hit, Debbie called When the first plane hit, Debbie called When the first plane hit, Debbie called his cell phone. his cell phone. his cell phone. >> He told her that >> He told her that >> He told her that it was really dark. He couldn't see in it was really dark. He couldn't see in it was really dark. He couldn't see in front of him. It was just a lot of smoke front of him. It was just a lot of smoke front of him. It was just a lot of smoke and and and just didn't look good. just didn't look good. just didn't look good. Couple of minutes later, after the Couple of minutes later, after the Couple of minutes later, after the second plane hit, she called him back. second plane hit, she called him back. second plane hit, she called him back. But all my mom heard was him just But all my mom heard was him just But all my mom heard was him just running. He was out of breath, and he running. He was out of breath, and he running. He was out of breath, and he was saying, "Bye. Bye. I love you. was saying, "Bye. Bye. I love you. was saying, "Bye. Bye. I love you. Goodbye." Goodbye." Goodbye." >> It has been >> It has been >> It has been more than a month now. more than a month now. more than a month now. And you're still calling his cell phone. And you're still calling his cell phone. And you're still calling his cell phone. >> Yeah, we have his cell phone still >> Yeah, we have his cell phone still >> Yeah, we have his cell phone still connected, so when we call, we could connected, so when we call, we could connected, so when we call, we could just just just hear his voice, and then hear his voice, and then hear his voice, and then leave a message at the end of the night.

leave a message at the end of the night. leave a message at the end of the night. I like to call him before I go to bed. I like to call him before I go to bed. I like to call him before I go to bed. It's my my to kind of have a It's my my to kind of have a It's my my to kind of have a conversation with him for that day. conversation with him for that day. conversation with him for that day. >> Your sister's been calling, too. >> Your sister's been calling, too. >> Your sister's been calling, too. >> Yeah, she calls a lot. >> Yeah, she calls a lot. >> Yeah, she calls a lot. She likes to talk to him. She likes to talk to him. She likes to talk to him. >> What do you say to him? >> What do you say to him? >> What do you say to him? >> Um >> Um >> Um I just whatever went on that day, I tell I just whatever went on that day, I tell I just whatever went on that day, I tell him him him what I did in school, what I did after what I did in school, what I did after what I did in school, what I did after school, then school, then school, then what we have for dinner. I wish he was what we have for dinner. I wish he was what we have for dinner. I wish he was here with us for dinner. here with us for dinner. here with us for dinner. That I miss him, and wherever he is, I That I miss him, and wherever he is, I That I miss him, and wherever he is, I hope that he's doing okay. hope that he's doing okay. hope that he's doing okay. >> We're playing for the district >> We're playing for the district >> We're playing for the district championship. It's second and third. championship. It's second and third. championship. It's second and third. There's one out, and Brendan's up at There's one out, and Brendan's up at There's one out, and Brendan's up at bat. And he was bat. And he was bat. And he was >> Brendan Regan, no doubt, would tell his >> Brendan Regan, no doubt, would tell his >> Brendan Regan, no doubt, would tell his fallen father about this. fallen father about this. fallen father about this. >> New York has their bravest, and Floral >> New York has their bravest, and Floral >> New York has their bravest, and Floral Park has their bravest, and our bravest, Park has their bravest, and our bravest, Park has their bravest, and our bravest, the way he's conducted himself, is the way he's conducted himself, is the way he's conducted himself, is Brendan Regan. Brendan Regan. Brendan Regan. >> [applause and cheering] >> Saturday, his Little League team got the >> Saturday, his Little League team got the award for winning last summer's district award for winning last summer's district award for winning last summer's district championship. That game was in July, and championship. That game was in July, and championship. That game was in July, and his dad, New York firefighter Bobby his dad, New York firefighter Bobby his dad, New York firefighter Bobby Regan, was coaching.

Regan, was coaching. Regan, was coaching. Brendan got the hit that won the game. Brendan got the hit that won the game. Brendan got the hit that won the game. >> Brendan, he was at that game. >> Brendan, he was at that game. >> Brendan, he was at that game. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. He was keeping the score. He was keeping the score. He was keeping the score. >> Got a single. >> Got a single. >> Got a single. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Drove the man on third home. >> Drove the man on third home. >> Drove the man on third home. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Won the championship. >> Won the championship. >> Won the championship. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> What did your dad think of that? >> What did your dad think of that? >> What did your dad think of that? >> He Well, first like everyone came over >> He Well, first like everyone came over >> He Well, first like everyone came over and like tagged on me and everything. and like tagged on me and everything. and like tagged on me and everything. And then he came out and tried to look And then he came out and tried to look And then he came out and tried to look for me, only like he couldn't find me. for me, only like he couldn't find me. for me, only like he couldn't find me. >> He must have been thrilled. What did he >> He must have been thrilled. What did he >> He must have been thrilled. What did he say to you? say to you? say to you? >> Nice hit. >> Nice hit. >> Nice hit. >> Nice hit. >> Nice hit. >> Nice hit. If you could say If you could say If you could say anything to your dad now, anything to your dad now, anything to your dad now, what would it be? >> Lieutenant Bobby Regan left behind his >> Lieutenant Bobby Regan left behind his wife of 21 years, Donna, 12-year-old wife of 21 years, Donna, 12-year-old wife of 21 years, Donna, 12-year-old Brendan, and his 16-year-old daughter, Brendan, and his 16-year-old daughter, Brendan, and his 16-year-old daughter, Caitlyn. Caitlyn. Caitlyn. >> I'm just really happy that he was around >> I'm just really happy that he was around >> I'm just really happy that he was around cuz I noticed that cuz I noticed that cuz I noticed that like a lot of my friends' dads, like like a lot of my friends' dads, like like a lot of my friends' dads, like they work into the night and they work into the night and they work into the night and I was always really thankful that my dad I was always really thankful that my dad I was always really thankful that my dad was around a lot.

was around a lot. was around a lot. And he spent a lot of time with us. >> Caitlyn and Brendan's dad, Lieutenant >> Caitlyn and Brendan's dad, Lieutenant Regan, was charging into the World Trade Regan, was charging into the World Trade Regan, was charging into the World Trade Center about the same time that Chuck Center about the same time that Chuck Center about the same time that Chuck Zion was likely helping his colleagues Zion was likely helping his colleagues Zion was likely helping his colleagues get out. get out. get out. Zachary is his 18-year-old son. Zachary is his 18-year-old son. Zachary is his 18-year-old son. >> He had been there in '93 when the >> He had been there in '93 when the >> He had been there in '93 when the building had been attacked the last building had been attacked the last building had been attacked the last time. time. time. And it had took almost 3 hours for them And it had took almost 3 hours for them And it had took almost 3 hours for them to get down from up at the 104th, maybe to get down from up at the 104th, maybe to get down from up at the 104th, maybe over 3 hours. over 3 hours. over 3 hours. And um And um And um when I saw the building actually when I saw the building actually when I saw the building actually collapse, collapse, collapse, I I I I knew that um I knew that um I knew that um that it was really unlikely that any um that it was really unlikely that any um that it was really unlikely that any um any of them made it out because 90 any of them made it out because 90 any of them made it out because 90 minutes to get down 104 floors is just minutes to get down 104 floors is just minutes to get down 104 floors is just not enough. not enough. not enough. >> Chuck loved cooking, football, and golf. >> Chuck loved cooking, football, and golf. >> Chuck loved cooking, football, and golf. He was a senior vice president at the He was a senior vice president at the He was a senior vice president at the financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald, and financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald, and financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald, and Zach intends to follow him there. Zach intends to follow him there. Zach intends to follow him there. >> How is your America >> How is your America >> How is your America going to be different from your father's going to be different from your father's going to be different from your father's America?

America? America? >> I think that >> I think that >> I think that people have realized what a special people have realized what a special people have realized what a special place this is, about how lucky they are place this is, about how lucky they are place this is, about how lucky they are to be here, and what special values that to be here, and what special values that to be here, and what special values that America represents. But it's not America represents. But it's not America represents. But it's not something that you just get for free. something that you just get for free. something that you just get for free. It's something that, you know, you have It's something that, you know, you have It's something that, you know, you have to fight for, literally. to fight for, literally. to fight for, literally. >> Chuck Zion leaves behind his wife of 20 >> Chuck Zion leaves behind his wife of 20 >> Chuck Zion leaves behind his wife of 20 years, Carol, and Zach, their only years, Carol, and Zach, their only years, Carol, and Zach, their only child. child. child. >> I'm just grateful that I got as much >> I'm just grateful that I got as much >> I'm just grateful that I got as much time as I did. You know, there are a lot of kids that You know, there are a lot of kids that are left behind that, are left behind that, are left behind that, you know, won't have known their parents you know, won't have known their parents you know, won't have known their parents the way I got to know mine. I was the way I got to know mine. I was the way I got to know mine. I was at least lucky enough to realize what a at least lucky enough to realize what a at least lucky enough to realize what a wonderful man my dad was before he left wonderful man my dad was before he left wonderful man my dad was before he left and really admire him. and really admire him. and really admire him. >> But Frank Spinelli's younger kids did >> But Frank Spinelli's younger kids did >> But Frank Spinelli's younger kids did not know their dad quite as long. not know their dad quite as long. not know their dad quite as long. >> I always that knew thought that he was >> I always that knew thought that he was >> I always that knew thought that he was going to be there. I never thought this going to be there. I never thought this going to be there. I never thought this was going to happen. Just all happened was going to happen. Just all happened was going to happen. Just all happened in a matter of minutes. And of course in a matter of minutes. And of course in a matter of minutes. And of course there were there were there were tons of things that I hadn't learned tons of things that I hadn't learned tons of things that I hadn't learned from him and hadn't been with him long from him and hadn't been with him long from him and hadn't been with him long enough and enough and enough and uh uh uh I really lost a lot of key years of my I really lost a lot of key years of my I really lost a lot of key years of my life with him.

life with him. life with him. >> I think all of us assumed that we're >> I think all of us assumed that we're >> I think all of us assumed that we're always going to have our parents. always going to have our parents. always going to have our parents. Is there anything that was left unsaid Is there anything that was left unsaid Is there anything that was left unsaid or anything that you'd wished you'd or anything that you'd wished you'd or anything that you'd wished you'd done? And you just always thought you'd done? And you just always thought you'd done? And you just always thought you'd have the time. have the time. have the time. >> Yeah, I mean there's certain things that >> Yeah, I mean there's certain things that >> Yeah, I mean there's certain things that you just always expect. You expect your you just always expect. You expect your you just always expect. You expect your dad to be there on your high school dad to be there on your high school dad to be there on your high school graduation. You expect your dad to be graduation. You expect your dad to be graduation. You expect your dad to be there to walk you down the aisle. You there to walk you down the aisle. You there to walk you down the aisle. You expect your dad to be there for you know expect your dad to be there for you know expect your dad to be there for you know your grandkids. And just better to teach your grandkids. And just better to teach your grandkids. And just better to teach you his life lessons that he had already you his life lessons that he had already you his life lessons that he had already learned. learned. learned. >> And sometimes I just remember what >> And sometimes I just remember what >> And sometimes I just remember what things that he's taught me. The other things that he's taught me. The other things that he's taught me. The other day I was mowing the lawn and I forgot day I was mowing the lawn and I forgot day I was mowing the lawn and I forgot how to how to how to uh it wasn't turning on. So I just uh it wasn't turning on. So I just uh it wasn't turning on. So I just remembered something that he told me and remembered something that he told me and remembered something that he told me and did it and it turned on and worked did it and it turned on and worked did it and it turned on and worked perfectly. So perfectly. So perfectly. So >> The mower? >> The mower? >> The mower? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> If you had an opportunity >> If you had an opportunity >> If you had an opportunity to say something to your dad, to say something to your dad, to say something to your dad, what would it be? what would it be? what would it be? >> It's really hard. After this uh you look >> It's really hard. After this uh you look >> It's really hard. After this uh you look back and you realize that you're never back and you realize that you're never back and you realize that you're never again going to be able to call someone again going to be able to call someone again going to be able to call someone dad again.

dad again. dad again. And just to call someone by the name dad And just to call someone by the name dad And just to call someone by the name dad would just would just would just be the one thing that I would want. Um I be the one thing that I would want. Um I be the one thing that I would want. Um I would just like to say, "Dad, I love would just like to say, "Dad, I love would just like to say, "Dad, I love you." you." you." I really wish that I really wish that I really wish that that night that he'd come home from work that night that he'd come home from work that night that he'd come home from work still here, alive, still here, alive, still here, alive, and just come in and kiss me. and just come in and kiss me. and just come in and kiss me. Like I'd always Like I'd always Like I'd always whenever I heard the door open, I'd run whenever I heard the door open, I'd run whenever I heard the door open, I'd run jump jump and give him a kiss and I just jump jump and give him a kiss and I just jump jump and give him a kiss and I just miss that. miss that. miss that. >> A birthday cake >> A birthday cake >> A birthday cake a cell phone message a cell phone message a cell phone message the look of the smile the look of the smile the look of the smile >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> the crack of the bat. >> the crack of the bat. >> the crack of the bat. The children of September wrap The children of September wrap The children of September wrap themselves in a fabric of memories themselves in a fabric of memories themselves in a fabric of memories against the cold of a love lost too against the cold of a love lost too against the cold of a love lost too soon. soon. soon. >> [applause]