Inside a New Jersey town that lost several residents to 9/11 terror | 60 Minutes Archive

60 Minutes Rewind 60 Minutes Rewind >> The devastation extends beyond the >> The devastation extends beyond the >> The devastation extends beyond the rubble of the World Trade Center. It rubble of the World Trade Center. It rubble of the World Trade Center. It goes to the heart of hundreds of goes to the heart of hundreds of goes to the heart of hundreds of communities in the suburbs of New York communities in the suburbs of New York communities in the suburbs of New York where families are mourning the loss of where families are mourning the loss of where families are mourning the loss of loved ones who are still missing. Places loved ones who are still missing. Places loved ones who are still missing. Places like Summit, New Jersey. like Summit, New Jersey. like Summit, New Jersey. In this town of 21,000 people, about In this town of 21,000 people, about In this town of 21,000 people, about 3,000 of them, 20% of the adult 3,000 of them, 20% of the adult 3,000 of them, 20% of the adult population, worked as bond traders, population, worked as bond traders, population, worked as bond traders, investment bankers, stock brokers, and investment bankers, stock brokers, and investment bankers, stock brokers, and clerks in the Twin Towers and clerks in the Twin Towers and clerks in the Twin Towers and surrounding buildings. Town leaders say surrounding buildings. Town leaders say surrounding buildings. Town leaders say as many as 50 of them may be unaccounted as many as 50 of them may be unaccounted as many as 50 of them may be unaccounted for. for. for. There are few towns in America as There are few towns in America as There are few towns in America as comfortable and seemingly sheltered as comfortable and seemingly sheltered as comfortable and seemingly sheltered as Summit, New Jersey. A community where Summit, New Jersey. A community where Summit, New Jersey. A community where everyone knows his or her neighbors. everyone knows his or her neighbors. everyone knows his or her neighbors. One reason people live here is because One reason people live here is because One reason people live here is because the ride to work is so easy. 35 minutes by train to the World Trade 35 minutes by train to the World Trade Center. Just outside the Summit train station, Just outside the Summit train station, officials are keeping close watch of the officials are keeping close watch of the officials are keeping close watch of the parking lots where some commuters who parking lots where some commuters who parking lots where some commuters who left on Tuesday morning have yet to pick left on Tuesday morning have yet to pick left on Tuesday morning have yet to pick up their cars. A grim sign that they may up their cars. A grim sign that they may up their cars. A grim sign that they may never return.

The other night across from the train The other night across from the train station, about 3,000 residents filled station, about 3,000 residents filled station, about 3,000 residents filled the village green at a candlelight the village green at a candlelight the village green at a candlelight prayer service trying to comprehend the prayer service trying to comprehend the prayer service trying to comprehend the incomprehensible. >> I'd like to read as we begin from Psalm >> I'd like to read as we begin from Psalm 13. 13. 13. How long will this pain go on, Lord? How long will this pain go on, Lord? How long will this pain go on, Lord? This grief I can hardly bear. This grief I can hardly bear. This grief I can hardly bear. >> Richard Rosen came with his wife and two >> Richard Rosen came with his wife and two >> Richard Rosen came with his wife and two children. children. children. >> In this community, they've snuffed out >> In this community, they've snuffed out >> In this community, they've snuffed out lives of people who lives of people who lives of people who you know, coached their kids soccer, who you know, coached their kids soccer, who you know, coached their kids soccer, who walked their kids to school, went out to walked their kids to school, went out to walked their kids to school, went out to have a beer with their friends. And it have a beer with their friends. And it have a beer with their friends. And it just really gets right to the heart of just really gets right to the heart of just really gets right to the heart of this community, and that's this community, and that's this community, and that's you know, it's just such a loss. you know, it's just such a loss. you know, it's just such a loss. >> Of the many parents who work in the >> Of the many parents who work in the >> Of the many parents who work in the financial district, one of them is financial district, one of them is financial district, one of them is Michael Mohearn. Michael Mohearn. Michael Mohearn. >> It could have been me. >> It could have been me. >> It could have been me. I used to work in the World Trade I used to work in the World Trade I used to work in the World Trade Center. It could have been me. It could Center. It could have been me. It could Center. It could have been me. It could very well be my children crying and my very well be my children crying and my very well be my children crying and my children being brought [snorts] food and children being brought [snorts] food and children being brought [snorts] food and my children being worried about and my children being worried about and my children being worried about and being prayed over. being prayed over. being prayed over. >> Ann Andriaski's 7-year-old son gave no >> Ann Andriaski's 7-year-old son gave no >> Ann Andriaski's 7-year-old son gave no clue that he was aware of the attack clue that he was aware of the attack clue that he was aware of the attack until he drew this picture that night of until he drew this picture that night of until he drew this picture that night of a plane a plane a plane crashing into the World Trade Center.

crashing into the World Trade Center. crashing into the World Trade Center. >> It makes me sad to think that he's >> It makes me sad to think that he's >> It makes me sad to think that he's having to deal when I don't think he's having to deal when I don't think he's having to deal when I don't think he's dealing with it. He He is having to deal dealing with it. He He is having to deal dealing with it. He He is having to deal with it in his own little way. with it in his own little way. with it in his own little way. I'm not sure just how to help him with I'm not sure just how to help him with I'm not sure just how to help him with that. that. that. >> Hear our tearful prayers for the lost >> Hear our tearful prayers for the lost >> Hear our tearful prayers for the lost and injured. and injured. and injured. >> During the service, as the minister >> During the service, as the minister >> During the service, as the minister called out the names of dozens of people called out the names of dozens of people called out the names of dozens of people who are still missing, who are still missing, who are still missing, >> for David Brady, >> for David Brady, >> for David Brady, Edward Calderon, Edward Calderon, Edward Calderon, for Jim Connors, for Jim Connors, for Jim Connors, >> the magnitude of this disaster on this >> the magnitude of this disaster on this >> the magnitude of this disaster on this small town hit home. small town hit home. small town hit home. >> for Tom Glazer, >> for Tom Glazer, >> for Tom Glazer, for Bob Lawrence, for Bob Lawrence, for Bob Lawrence, for Todd Rancke, for Todd Rancke, for Todd Rancke, >> Todd Rancke, a father of three young >> Todd Rancke, a father of three young >> Todd Rancke, a father of three young children, worked as a bond salesman at children, worked as a bond salesman at children, worked as a bond salesman at Sandler O'Neill in the World Trade Sandler O'Neill in the World Trade Sandler O'Neill in the World Trade Center Tower number two on the 104th Center Tower number two on the 104th Center Tower number two on the 104th floor. floor. floor. >> He calls every morning when he's at >> He calls every morning when he's at >> He calls every morning when he's at work. work. work. >> He was on the phone with his wife Debbie >> He was on the phone with his wife Debbie >> He was on the phone with his wife Debbie when the first plane hit. when the first plane hit. when the first plane hit. >> It was a little before 9:00.

>> It was a little before 9:00. >> It was a little before 9:00. And And And he called and said, "Good morning. How he called and said, "Good morning. How he called and said, "Good morning. How are the kids? How are you?" are the kids? How are you?" are the kids? How are you?" And he said, "Oh my god. And he said, "Oh my god. And he said, "Oh my god. We've been hit. Something We've been hit. Something We've been hit. Something is the matter. Something happened. Boy, is the matter. Something happened. Boy, is the matter. Something happened. Boy, that was loud." that was loud." that was loud." And I said, "Todd, get out of there. I I And I said, "Todd, get out of there. I I And I said, "Todd, get out of there. I I see fire, and it looks like it's very see fire, and it looks like it's very see fire, and it looks like it's very close to your building. Get out. close to your building. Get out. close to your building. Get out. >> So, you were watching this on on >> So, you were watching this on on >> So, you were watching this on on television? television? television? >> come on TV. I had the news on. I'm I >> come on TV. I had the news on. I'm I >> come on TV. I had the news on. I'm I always listen to the news. always listen to the news. always listen to the news. Always. Always. Always. And it just popped up. And it just popped up. And it just popped up. And I said, "Todd, listen to me. You got And I said, "Todd, listen to me. You got And I said, "Todd, listen to me. You got to get out of there." to get out of there." to get out of there." And then I can't remember what happened And then I can't remember what happened And then I can't remember what happened next. next. next. >> Soon after that phone call, the second >> Soon after that phone call, the second >> Soon after that phone call, the second plane smashed into tower number two. Two plane smashed into tower number two. Two plane smashed into tower number two. Two of Todd Ranke's coworkers at Sandler of Todd Ranke's coworkers at Sandler of Todd Ranke's coworkers at Sandler O'Neill were killed. 20 managed to O'Neill were killed. 20 managed to O'Neill were killed. 20 managed to escape. 66 are still missing. escape. 66 are still missing. escape. 66 are still missing. >> At this point, you still have hope. You >> At this point, you still have hope. You >> At this point, you still have hope. You haven't given up.

haven't given up. haven't given up. >> Oh, no. No. >> Oh, no. No. >> Oh, no. No. The reason I'm doing this interview is The reason I'm doing this interview is The reason I'm doing this interview is because I think he's out there and he because I think he's out there and he because I think he's out there and he can't tell me where he is. can't tell me where he is. can't tell me where he is. >> Debbie came to us because one of her >> Debbie came to us because one of her >> Debbie came to us because one of her neighbors and friends in Summit is neighbors and friends in Summit is neighbors and friends in Summit is Michael Rodutsky, a producer here at 60 Michael Rodutsky, a producer here at 60 Michael Rodutsky, a producer here at 60 Minutes. She asked his help in finding Minutes. She asked his help in finding Minutes. She asked his help in finding her husband. So, on Wednesday morning, her husband. So, on Wednesday morning, her husband. So, on Wednesday morning, we set out with Debbie and the family, a we set out with Debbie and the family, a we set out with Debbie and the family, a dozen people in all. dozen people in all. dozen people in all. Over the next 2 days, they searched all Over the next 2 days, they searched all Over the next 2 days, they searched all across the city. across the city. across the city. >> Now, we just want to know when they will >> Now, we just want to know when they will >> Now, we just want to know when they will start identifying start identifying start identifying unidentified people. unidentified people. unidentified people. >> Todd's three sisters are the leaders of >> Todd's three sisters are the leaders of >> Todd's three sisters are the leaders of the search party. the search party. the search party. >> We have to be there for Todd and as >> We have to be there for Todd and as >> We have to be there for Todd and as Debbie said the first night, Debbie said the first night, Debbie said the first night, she said, "I know Todd would be looking she said, "I know Todd would be looking she said, "I know Todd would be looking for me." So, for me." So, for me." So, >> We got to walk. >> We got to walk. >> We got to walk. >> You can't sit at home. You got to go >> You can't sit at home. You got to go >> You can't sit at home. You got to go keep keep keep searching and walking the streets and searching and walking the streets and searching and walking the streets and learning what they're doing in the city. learning what they're doing in the city. learning what they're doing in the city. >> I think we should just while we're here >> I think we should just while we're here >> I think we should just while we're here cover that so we know we did we know we cover that so we know we did we know we cover that so we know we did we know we did it. did it. did it. >> The men in the family say they know the >> The men in the family say they know the >> The men in the family say they know the women won't give up. women won't give up. women won't give up. >> They definitely have a mindset, you >> They definitely have a mindset, you >> They definitely have a mindset, you know, tunnel vision on finding Todd know, tunnel vision on finding Todd know, tunnel vision on finding Todd Ranke.

Ranke. Ranke. >> Nothing's going to take them off that >> Nothing's going to take them off that >> Nothing's going to take them off that course. course. course. >> Until they're exhausted and they're >> Until they're exhausted and they're >> Until they're exhausted and they're going to collapse. They're going to going to collapse. They're going to going to collapse. They're going to basically say they gave it their best basically say they gave it their best basically say they gave it their best shot. shot. shot. >> With thousands of people missing, how do >> With thousands of people missing, how do >> With thousands of people missing, how do they find one man? The morning after the they find one man? The morning after the they find one man? The morning after the disaster, there was no one list of all disaster, there was no one list of all disaster, there was no one list of all the dead, injured, and missing. So, they the dead, injured, and missing. So, they the dead, injured, and missing. So, they started going to hospitals. NYU, Beth started going to hospitals. NYU, Beth started going to hospitals. NYU, Beth Israel, Cabrini. Israel, Cabrini. Israel, Cabrini. No Todd Rakie. No Todd Rakie. No Todd Rakie. >> Must be hard to look at those lists. >> Must be hard to look at those lists. >> Must be hard to look at those lists. >> It is. >> It is. >> It is. >> But they had to keep looking. >> But they had to keep looking. >> But they had to keep looking. >> And then we're looking for other people >> And then we're looking for other people >> And then we're looking for other people who Todd worked with. If it was somebody who Todd worked with. If it was somebody who Todd worked with. If it was somebody else he worked with, well, maybe if else he worked with, well, maybe if else he worked with, well, maybe if they're in a hospital, maybe Todd's they're in a hospital, maybe Todd's they're in a hospital, maybe Todd's there and just unidentified. That's what there and just unidentified. That's what there and just unidentified. That's what you were looking We were looking for you were looking We were looking for you were looking We were looking for other lists. We just wanted to find other lists. We just wanted to find other lists. We just wanted to find somebody in his group. To think that if somebody in his group. To think that if somebody in his group. To think that if he got out, then maybe Todd got out. he got out, then maybe Todd got out. he got out, then maybe Todd got out. >> The injured were taken to 130 hospitals >> The injured were taken to 130 hospitals >> The injured were taken to 130 hospitals in the New York area. in the New York area. in the New York area. By the time they got to St. Vincent's By the time they got to St. Vincent's By the time they got to St. Vincent's Hospital late that afternoon, they Hospital late that afternoon, they Hospital late that afternoon, they finally found the master list with names finally found the master list with names finally found the master list with names of all the injured.

of all the injured. of all the injured. >> So far, we don't have a name on the >> So far, we don't have a name on the >> So far, we don't have a name on the list. list. list. Every hour we update the list. Every hour we update the list. Every hour we update the list. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Have you gotten any um names in the last >> Have you gotten any um names in the last >> Have you gotten any um names in the last 4 hours? 4 hours? 4 hours? >> Um they have, >> Um they have, >> Um they have, but as I said, we don't happen to have but as I said, we don't happen to have but as I said, we don't happen to have that particular name. that particular name. that particular name. >> That meant that so far Todd Rakie had >> That meant that so far Todd Rakie had >> That meant that so far Todd Rakie had not been found alive. not been found alive. not been found alive. It was too much for Debbie to bear. It was too much for Debbie to bear. It was too much for Debbie to bear. >> I think by the end of the day, Debbie >> I think by the end of the day, Debbie >> I think by the end of the day, Debbie was the was tired. We hadn't eaten or was the was tired. We hadn't eaten or was the was tired. We hadn't eaten or had anything. You know, you just keep had anything. You know, you just keep had anything. You know, you just keep walking and then when you keep going and walking and then when you keep going and walking and then when you keep going and seeing the list and his name did not seeing the list and his name did not seeing the list and his name did not appear, I think appear, I think appear, I think she felt like it and um she felt like it and um she felt like it and um So, we went home to regroup. So, we went home to regroup. So, we went home to regroup. >> What's been the toughest thing for you >> What's been the toughest thing for you >> What's been the toughest thing for you in all of this? in all of this? in all of this? >> Looking at my brother's children. >> Looking at my brother's children. >> Looking at my brother's children. Seeing his 7-year-old son. Seeing his 7-year-old son. Seeing his 7-year-old son. And he has a 9- and 11-year-old And he has a 9- and 11-year-old And he has a 9- and 11-year-old daughters. daughters. daughters. >> Well, we walk in every night, they greet >> Well, we walk in every night, they greet >> Well, we walk in every night, they greet us, and they say we found my mom and my us, and they say we found my mom and my us, and they say we found my mom and my parents, and the first thing they want parents, and the first thing they want parents, and the first thing they want to know is did you find them? And we to know is did you find them? And we to know is did you find them? And we said said said >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> we said no, but I I what our children >> we said no, but I I what our children >> we said no, but I I what our children are seeing, we said, "We're going back are seeing, we said, "We're going back are seeing, we said, "We're going back tomorrow.

tomorrow. tomorrow. We are going back to find them." We are going back to find them." We are going back to find them." >> While the women took Debbie home, the >> While the women took Debbie home, the >> While the women took Debbie home, the men continued the search. Their first men continued the search. Their first men continued the search. Their first stop, Chelsea Piers, a sports complex. stop, Chelsea Piers, a sports complex. stop, Chelsea Piers, a sports complex. They'd been told the ice rink was being They'd been told the ice rink was being They'd been told the ice rink was being used as a temporary morgue. used as a temporary morgue. used as a temporary morgue. They didn't find Todd's body. They didn't find Todd's body. They didn't find Todd's body. >> We're looking for a needle in a >> We're looking for a needle in a >> We're looking for a needle in a haystack. haystack. haystack. My head tells me I'm not going to find a My head tells me I'm not going to find a My head tells me I'm not going to find a needle. needle. needle. But my heart's telling me to keep But my heart's telling me to keep But my heart's telling me to keep digging in the hay. digging in the hay. digging in the hay. Is that frustrating? Yeah. That's the Is that frustrating? Yeah. That's the Is that frustrating? Yeah. That's the definition of frustration. >> Early Thursday morning, the Rankey >> Early Thursday morning, the Rankey family drove back into New York City. family drove back into New York City. family drove back into New York City. By now, the death toll stood at 94, and By now, the death toll stood at 94, and By now, the death toll stood at 94, and hope was fading for the more than 4,000 hope was fading for the more than 4,000 hope was fading for the more than 4,000 people still listed as missing. people still listed as missing. people still listed as missing. Along with thousands of others, the Along with thousands of others, the Along with thousands of others, the Rankeys went to the armory, where for Rankeys went to the armory, where for Rankeys went to the armory, where for the first time, there was a list that the first time, there was a list that the first time, there was a list that included the dead as well as included the dead as well as included the dead as well as identifiable body parts. identifiable body parts. identifiable body parts. >> That is the most disgusting thing I've >> That is the most disgusting thing I've >> That is the most disgusting thing I've ever done in my life, is to look for my ever done in my life, is to look for my ever done in my life, is to look for my brother on a list with with list right brother on a list with with list right brother on a list with with list right hand, you know, nail biter. Um people by hand, you know, nail biter. Um people by hand, you know, nail biter. Um people by their license plate number, I mean, their license plate number, I mean, their license plate number, I mean, their driver's license. I said, "It's their driver's license. I said, "It's their driver's license. I said, "It's It's like It's like It's like a war. It's like looking at the the the a war. It's like looking at the the the a war. It's like looking at the the the list of the dead from the war. It is a list of the dead from the war. It is a list of the dead from the war. It is a disgusting thing to do. I don't think disgusting thing to do. I don't think disgusting thing to do. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at a list of I'll ever be able to look at a list of I'll ever be able to look at a list of names again without thinking of how many names again without thinking of how many names again without thinking of how many lists I've looked for the name Rankey on lists I've looked for the name Rankey on lists I've looked for the name Rankey on and not seen it."

and not seen it." and not seen it." >> Todd Rankey was not on the list of the >> Todd Rankey was not on the list of the >> Todd Rankey was not on the list of the dead or the list of injured at any dead or the list of injured at any dead or the list of injured at any hospital. hospital. hospital. >> What do you do next? >> What do you do next? >> What do you do next? >> I ask myself that every day. What can we >> I ask myself that every day. What can we >> I ask myself that every day. What can we do next? And And we regroup and do next? And And we regroup and do next? And And we regroup and we keep calling hospitals. we keep calling hospitals. we keep calling hospitals. We talk to people who can uh We talk to people who can uh We talk to people who can uh put his picture out and put his picture out and put his picture out and and continue to look for him, watch the and continue to look for him, watch the and continue to look for him, watch the news to see if news to see if news to see if anybody else has been found. anybody else has been found. anybody else has been found. And uh And uh And uh we come into New York every day looking we come into New York every day looking we come into New York every day looking for answers. >> They'll be fine. >> They'll be fine. >> We're strong group and we're going to >> We're strong group and we're going to >> We're strong group and we're going to get through this. get through this. get through this. >> I can see that. >> I can see that. >> I can see that. >> So. >> So. >> So. >> Oh god. >> Oh god. >> Oh god. >> Can you hold this baby girl? >> Can you hold this baby girl? >> Can you hold this baby girl? >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> This isn't happening any other way. >> This isn't happening any other way. >> This isn't happening any other way. >> I'll do everything I can. >> I'll do everything I can. >> I'll do everything I can. >> Just whatever you can. They'll be fine. They'll be fine. He's my whole life.

He's my whole life. He's my whole life. >> On Friday night back in Summit, New >> On Friday night back in Summit, New >> On Friday night back in Summit, New Jersey, family members and neighbors put Jersey, family members and neighbors put Jersey, family members and neighbors put up a flagpole on the Rankeys' front up a flagpole on the Rankeys' front up a flagpole on the Rankeys' front lawn. lawn. lawn. >> You pull it tight. >> You pull it tight. >> You pull it tight. >> Pull tight. >> Pull tight. >> Pull tight. >> Tom Jr. raised the American flag >> Tom Jr. raised the American flag >> Tom Jr. raised the American flag and then the children lowered it to and then the children lowered it to and then the children lowered it to half-staff.