Allison Lee, born Sept. 13, 2001
Allison’s mother, Kellie Lee, was scheduled to have a C-section two days after the planes hit. Her husband, Daniel Lee, was heading home on Flight 11 to be there for the birth when he was killed. Four years later, Kellie was remarried, to Chris Riordan, a plumber who had fixed her sink. This is her story.
My husband Dan called me to tell me he loved me before he boarded the plane. He was flying back to LA to be there for the birth of our child. But “I love you” was the last thing he ever said to me.
I was at home in Van Nuys watching TV when I saw the pictures of the planes flying into the World Trade Center. I was about to go to the hospital and I was confused and in pain. I told myself maybe Dan had overslept, and anyway, I wasn’t even sure of his flight number. I was just desperate for him to call and tell me he loved me. But that call didn’t come. Two days later, when I held my newborn daughter in my arms, I still had hope that he was alive.
I was incredibly proud of baby Allison, a healthy 8-pound, 12-ounce girl. But when Dan still hadn’t called, the tragedy really hit me. The hardest thing was explaining it to my daughter Amanda, 2. “I told her, ‘Daddy isn’t coming home,’ and she said, ‘Yes, he is. In five minutes, he’ll be back.’ ”
Giving birth [without Dan] was really not a situation I ever thought I’d be in. I had both extremes — the cards saying “congrats” and others saying “condolences on the death of your husband.” I ended up moving back to my hometown in Erie, Pa., in October 2001 for two years. I just didn’t think I could do it on my own.
When I met Chris in 2002, I was truly happy for the first time since the tragedy. It’s hard to meet people when you have two kids and no one to help. Allison actually thought Chris was her dad. She said the other day that she’s happy Chris is in our lives. They even performed in a recital together in June — she danced and he played guitar. But I admit, at the beginning I felt guilty. Dan got cheated out of watching his kids grow up.
More people have been asking Allison questions this year because of the anniversary, and in turn she’s been asking me questions. She’s sad she didn’t get to meet him. She asks how old he was when he died, and when I say “34,” she says, “That’s so young.” She likes dancing and drumming, and Dan was a drummer, and I tell her that must have come from him.
TEN YEARS LATER: THE POST REMEMBERS 9/11COMPLETE 9/11 ANNIVERSARY COVERAGE
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Joseph Reina, born Oct. 4, 2001
Lisa Reina’s husband Joseph Reina Jr., a 32-year-old operations manager for Cantor Fitzgerald, worked on the 101st floor of the North Tower.
When I look back I don’t know how I gave birth to Joseph — I don’t even remember the first two years of his life. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I went into contractions on 9/11 from the stress, and gave birth almost three weeks before he was due. We were going to name him Robert Joseph, because my husband didn’t want another Joseph in the family, but that went out the window after 9/11.
Joseph looks exactly like his father. His personality is the same, too: funny, thoughtful and sweet.
My husband played baseball, and Joseph started playing baseball this year. I had a daughter in 2004 after I remarried, and Joseph’s definitely a typical boy who loves to fight with his sibling.
We have his father’s photos all over the house. I have Joe’s Cantor Fitzgerald jersey that I’m going to give him someday. And there is a picture of “Daddy Joe” on a medallion that he wears.
Right now, Joseph sees my second husband as his father. Joseph has a developmental disability but when the time is right, I’ll definitely explain what happened to his dad. I don’t want to upset him. He’s very attached to his stepfather.
Every Sept. 11 I go to the cemetery. This year I want to read his name at the ceremony, and I want to take Joseph with me.
Chad Rachman/New York Post
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Julia Perconti, born Dec. 8, 2001
Tammy Perconti and her husband, Jon, were high-school sweethearts. He worked on the 104th floor of the North Tower as an equities trader for Cantor Fitzgerald.
When our daughter was born, I gave her the same initials Jon had — his name was Jon Anthony, and she’s Julia Amelia. Everything about her reminds me of Jon — her facial expressions, her personality, but her sense of humor more than anything. It’s amazing how much she’s like him without having even met him.
Two years ago Julia and I started honoring those who passed away by making 9/11 a day to give back. We made red, white and blue cupcakes, and we brought them to neighbors we never met and said, “We just wanted you to have a nice day.” We also brought canned food to a food pantry. This year we’re going to the ceremony. Julia was selected to read Jon’s name.
We have lots of pictures of Jon around the house. We also have his Cantor Fitzgerald ID — it’s at the Tribute WTC Visitor Center. Julia came with me to the exhibit opening. I feel very special that we were there, and I think she’s old enough to understand and appreciate having Jon be part of that exhibit and history. We have a special shelf in her room with Jon’s Yankees hat with a small World Trade Center model next to it.
But it’s really Jon’s birthday when we do something special. We have a tradition where we buy balloons and write notes to him and send them up to heaven from the beach. We watch until we can’t see them anymore and talk about how long they’ll take to reach him.
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August Larsen, born Sept. 13, 2001
Carolann Larsen’s husband Scott was a firefighter with Ladder 15. She gave birth to their son two days after 9/11 — still hoping her husband would be found alive.
When I went into labor with August on Sept. 13, we still weren’t sure where Scott was. There was still a lot happening, and we weren’t sure if he was missing. My three children were excited and happy to have a little brother — having a new baby kept their minds off what was going on.
August looks like Scott a little bit — his dimple in his chin is exactly the same. Scott also liked the Mets, and that’s August’s favorite team, too. Right now he wants to be a baseball player.
August doesn’t know much about Scott. I’m sure as he gets a little older he’ll learn more — his older sisters and brother will probably tell him stories. But right now, it’s something that isn’t mentioned too much. We don’t want to upset one another.
Every year on Sept. 11 we go to the firehouse where Scott worked, and then to the service at Ground Zero. We remember him quietly. At the end of the day, words won’t change what happened.
Chad Rachman/New York Post
