Heroes Spotlight: Remembering Our Neighbors Lost on 9/11
Where were you on September the 11th 2001? It’s a moment one never forgets. I was an 8th grader at Blessed Sacrament School in Queens, New York. I was a witness to the aftermath of this tragedy. I clearly remember the next day opening the door of my grandmother’s house and being surrounded by debris that made its way to us from Manhattan.
Now, I call Stafford home and even though my memory is clear of that day, it made me wonder about my current community. Where were you? Who was affected in our own hometown?
For this edition of our Heroes Spotlight, we are highlighting our local heroes and the residents whose lives were lost that day.
Teresa Martin from Stafford was affectionately known as Teri to her close friends. She was a devoted wife, a great friend, and loved being a Sunday School teacher. She was a civilian employee with the U.S. Army.
Martha Reszke was a resident of Aquia Harbour and a civilian employee with the Army as a budget analyst at the Pentagon. Originally from Germany, she enjoyed teaching German to her friends and was always making them laugh.
Marion Serva from Stafford was a civilian employee with the U.S. Army. Originally from Yonkers, New York, she traveled the world with her husband of 26 years and her daughter Christina. Her sister Terry Adams describes her as “strong-willed, independent, resolute, rebellious and has the courage to speak her own mind and offer an opinion -- whether you asked for it or not.”
Allen Boyle of Fredericksburg was a defense department contractor at the Pentagon. He left behind his wife and three boys. He is remembered to be a kind soul and a talented musician.
Coast Guard RADM Richard Ellis Bennis of Stafford was in Manhattan on September 11th, 2001. Thanks to his quick thinking he managed to get an army of boats together to help evacuate nearly 500,000 people from lower Manhattan. He passed away after a battle with cancer in 2003.
There were many heroes on that day, there are stories that we still probably haven’t heard of 22 years later. We lost mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends on that day, but their memories will live on with the stories we share of them.
Rest in peace Heroes.
We would love to feature our neighborhood heroes. If you know a service member, veteran, nurse, teacher, or first responder please email lizhensel@bestversionmedia.com.
