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Justin Lane / Pool via Getty Images
Robert Peraza, who lost his son Robert David Peraza, pauses at his son's name at the North Pool of the 9/11 Memorial during tenth anniversary ceremonies at the site of the World Trade Center on the morning of Sept.11, 2011. New York City and the nation are commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Security has been heightened in both New York City and Washington D.C. following a possible car bomb threat.
Craig Ruttle / The Cincinnati Enquirer file via AP
Robert and Suzanne Peraza speak about their son Robert David Peraza in New York City on Sept. 16, 2001. Robert David Peraza was on the 104th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center when it was hit by the first hijacked airplane during the 9/11 attack.
(Updated 9/12/2011 at 6:30 pm EDT)
When AP freelance photographer Craig Ruttle saw Justin Lane’s powerful photo of 9/11 family member Robert Peraza kneeling at the ground zero memorial yesterday, he immediately recalled his own experience photographing Peraza nearly 10 years earlier, in the days following the attacks.
Ruttle, working for the Cincinnati Enquirer at the time, traveled to New York with a reporter to cover Peraza and his wife Suzanne’s efforts to locate their son Robert David Peraza, an employee at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of tower 1. On Sept 16, 2001, Ruttle photographed the couple on the streets of Manhattan pausing before a wall of ubiquitous “missing” flyers – the Perazas having added their own.
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Gob Bless you and God Bless your son.
The Memorials at each site are so unique and just brilliant. I'm very impressed that even through this daunting economy, Americans did this and it was done right. I will be asking some friends and co-workers to go on a 911 trek to view and honor everyone at the sites. This has been a sad weekend however, and I am surprised how choked up I still get when I see and hear all of the stories. Everyone, make sure you're kind to one another--it's so important and you can just make someone's day by giving them a smile. If you see someone who is angry, ask them if they are o.k, and if there is anything you can do to help out. Let's show the world that we mean it when we say; God Bless America.
God Bless all of the ones that gave their lives this day ten years ago! We will never forget them nor take what they did for us for granted! God Bless America!
Semper Fidelis,
Manuel Perez
For this father -and every family member, friend, aquaintance, citizen of the U.S.A., every citizen of the Earth - my heart breaks. And when it breaks, what is inside is love, compassion, a desire for connection with others who also feel love, compassion and a longing in their souls for PEACE across our whole planet. A willingness to work with other human beings who have the same OR different points of view, to bring about the peace that is portended as coming "eventually" in every single religion on Earth. How about practicing the forgiveness that is just so much talk in this 'Christian' country, that Muslim country, that Jewish country? How about NOW? Not tomorrow, next week, on some 'anniversary......WHY are you waiting? WHY is anyone waiting?
Mr. Peraza,
I am a friend of Rob's from SBU..his memory lives on in so many who were touched by his life. His smile, his laugh, his zest for life...God Bless you and your family, now and forever.
In my thoughts and Prayer the loss Family and Friends on that day I do blame all on Bill Clinton, He himself said nothing not one word saying I am SORRY! this BASTARD should been in jail and cost taxer to go broken, To American Peoples we need to think your Vote up Coming year of next year 2012 is very importen, Do not makes no more mistakes. Yes you People need to called your Senators to filed against Bill Clinton to send him in jail rest of his life he kills thousand lives already and he walks? He just killed my dear friend he was fireman, I am so upset with this. It total great loss that clown should got impeach from Office.
You're a hateful idiot !!
Bill Clinton did not kill your fireman friend. You are so filled with hate and anger, you can't even figure out the facts of the story.
My heart aches for all the families & friends that lost a loved one on 911. I am very Proud of my son Sean who has been working at Ground Zero on the Memorial for two years. God Bless!
You're a hateful idiot !
Did not mean that, it was for Pablo.
This picture speaks one thousand words: a father should never out-live a son. Mr. Peraza can, however, find some solace that his son is, and will ever be, a son of America. It is those like him and his son who will forever make this country the greatest that has ever existed. The stabs inflicted that day has bled many fathers and mothers without their sons or daughters, and so many who have selflessly given their lives to perpetrate the Better Good. We will prevail, sir. I assure you.
Our prayers are with you, Bob and Sue. May the Lord comfort you and hold you in His loving arms. We remember Rob when he was just a little guy. God bless you and give you peace.
It amazes me the ignorance of a certain few who need to make a political platform out of such a historic and life changing event that occured from 9/11
The point to be made here is this; "We lost human beings that had no political agenda in there final moments of life". "The only agenda at this moment, and all moments to follow will be to pray for the families, and those brave Americans that lost there lives.
May all find peace and comfort knowing we still live in the most beautiful country on earth. And if you don't believe this, move!
AMEN!
Every time I look at pictures from 9/11 it makes me cry and think how sad to loose a loved one, but remember one day you will join your son and be happy again. I can't imagine what they went thru and what a parent goes thru when loosing a child. May God Bless you and give you the strength to go on with your life until you two meet again, and hope that this world will be in peace one day.
I can't help but be overwhelmed with emotions during this trying time. I remember exactly what I was doing on the day of September 11, 2001 when the terrorists attacked. I will never forget the out pooring of emotions throughout my small community. We all know who is to blame for this tragedy. ..it wasn't our President, it wasn't Americans! It was people that live by different rules and put no value on human lives. I'm sorry for all the families that lost loved ones during 9/11 but will be forever greatful for them in restoring our nation to show leaders of other countries that we're proud Americans and will stand up to anything that compromises our countries ethics. Greed has become a huge part of political campaigns and I for one want things to go back to simpler times when the all mighty dollar didn't rule everything we live for. A price tag can never be put on a human life. I hope Americans understand this message.
wow..look at this pictures...just him and his son name in quiet and clean air and etc..just peace.... im sure he (his son) is next to him and pat his shoulder- dad is closing his eyes and knowing hes angel now. its beutiful/sad pictures...it show soo much of feeling that cant explains words. Im glad that they made a great beautiful memorial place for 9/11 in zero ground. its meant alot to everyone in america.