9/11 in Kewaskum: Community remembers woman who died
KEWASKUM -- As Americans gathered to remember the thousands of lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001 they also pledged to never forget. On Tuesday, Sept. 11, The Kewaskum community honored Andrea Haberman, who was among those killed in the World Trade Center.
"Agonizingly that day, we waited for a phone call that never came," said Gordon Haberman.
Gordon Haberman, the father of Andrea Haberman, a Wisconsin native and Kewaskum High School graduate, was the featured speaker at the ceremony.
Andrea Haberman
Gordon Haberman
"The horrific images of suffering, chaos and destruction remain fresh in our minds. This is especially true for my family. Our beloved daughter, sister and friend, Andrea, was one of those murdered. Today, I still cannot imagine the despair she and all those trapped felt. I try not to dwell on those thoughts; however, anniversaries tend to bring it all back," said Gordon Haberman.
Andrea Haberman, who was in New York for a business trip, was located on the 92nd floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower when a passenger jet crashed into the floors above her.
"All of the 69 workers in Andie's office were still alive after the impact, but they were trapped as all the stairwells were full of concrete and rubble from the floors above. She was on the phone with a co-worker in Chicago describing her view of the Statue of Liberty when the plane hit. The wired phone lines went silent. However, messages and calls were being made using cellphones. Indeed, the last phone call recorded from the North Tower came from one of her co-workers," said Gordon Haberman.
Haberman's family gathered at the Kewaskum Municipal Building Annex, where a memorial will be built.
Al Kolodzik
"I thought, 'where would Andrea want me to be?' and I thought 'it would be nice for all of us to be together,'" said Al Kolodzik, Andrea Haberman's fiance.
"She's smiling down and she's happy about that," said Julie Osmus, Andrea Haberman's sister.
A steel beam recovered from the North Tower will serve as the centerpiece of the memorial.
"We do not let 9/11 divide us. Rather, it brought us closer and America emerged stronger and more united than ever," said Gordon Haberman.
Nearly 3,000 flags on display represented the lives lost, with Andrea Haberman's in the center.
"Each flag has the name, age, hometown and their located on 9/11 listed," said Bishop.
"God bless you Andrea. The time between us is not that far. We love you, we miss you and we will see you again," said Gordon Haberman.
Nearly 3,000 innocent people were killed in the 9/11 attack in New York. Thousands more were injured.
The ceremony also included a presentation by the American Legion Post 384 Honor Guard, and music was performed by Kewaskum High School students.
The Village of Kewaskum is accepting donations to help fund construction costs and maintenance of the memorial. You may also reserve a personalized brick that will be placed around the memorial. For details, CLICK HERE.