September 11, 2026
Twenty-five years ago, America saw a horrific terrorist attack take place on its soil. On September 11, 2001, almost 3,000 people lost their lives as al Qaeda terrorists hijacked planes and crashed them into both towers of the World Trade Center, into the Pentagon, and in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Included in this death toll were 10 preborn children, who would be turning 25 years old this year, and their mothers. Etched into the 9/11 memorial in New York City are the names of their mothers, alongside the words “and her preborn child,” to remember those precious lives lost. Alongside these children were eight born children whose lives were also taken too soon.
Honoring the Preborn Children and Their Mothers
Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, 38, was on United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania. She was three months pregnant when she left a voicemail to her husband, saying, “I just love you more than anything, know that, please tell my family I love them too, goodbye honey.”
Patricia Cimaroli Massari, 25, found out she was pregnant on the morning of September 11, 2001. On the phone with her husband, Louis, until the end, Louis stated that “[t]wo things were taken from me on that day. I was looking forward to being a father.”
Helen Crossin Kittle, 34, was in the North Tower during the attack. She was five months pregnant with a baby girl, whom she named Patricia.
Deanna Galante, 32, was preparing to start maternity leave from her job as a personal assistant for Cantor Fitzgerald at the World Trade Center when the terrorist attack occurred. Her husband said regarding her pregnancy, “She was so excited. The night before, we were watching the baby move around.”
Jennifer Howley, 34, was working in the South Tower when the attack happened. Her obituary states that Jennifer and her husband, Brian, “were expecting their first child in January of 2002.”
Vanessa Langer, 29, was working in the South Tower when it fell. Four months pregnant on that day, her husband reportedly “drank himself to death” from the pain of the loss.
Renée May, 39, was a flight crew member for American Airlines Flight 77. The plane crashed into the Pentagon, killing her and her preborn baby, who was due any time. Renée was soon to be married at the time of her death.
Rahma Salie, 28, was a passenger of American Airlines Flight 11, which hit the First Tower. Seven months pregnant, she died alongside her husband, Michael Theodoridis.
Sylvia San Pio Resta, 26, was seven months pregnant when she and her preborn child were in the North Tower with her husband, John, when it collapsed. John’s mother was reported to have said, “[w]e lost three people on that day.”
Dianne Signer, 32, worked on the 93rd floor of the North Tower. She was three months pregnant and scheduled to be married on September 16, 2001. Dianne’s mother expressed joy that the 9/11 memorial included her grandchild, saying, “I’m so happy the baby is mentioned at the memorial because that baby will always be in my heart.”
READ MORE ABOUT THEM HERE: Never Forget: 10 Expectant Mothers & Their Preborn Babies Died on 9/11
Honoring the Children on the Planes
Bernard Brown II, 11, was on Flight 77 on a trip to study wildlife in California. The plane crashed into the Pentagon, where his father worked as a Navy chief petty officer. Bernard Sr. said in an interview with NBC that his last conversation with his son was comforting his son about his fear of flying and death.
Asia Cottom, 11, was on the same plane as Bernard Brown II to study wildlife alongside him. Her father, Clifton Cottom, described her as a “charmer who was trying hard to grow up.”
Rodney Dickens, 11, was the final student selected to study wildlife in California alongside Bernard and Asia. His mother noted he was an intelligent, honor-roll student who loved Pokémon and helping others.
Dana Falkenberg, 3, and Zoe Falkenberg, 8, were siblings aboard American Airlines Flight 77. Their parents, Charles and Leslie, were taking them to Australia for Leslie’s work. They boarded Flight 77 after missing a connection flight.
David Reed Gamboa Brandhorst, 3, was on United Airlines Flight 175, which crashed into the South Tower. He died on the flight with his parents, Daniel Brandhorst and Ronald Gamboa, returning home from visiting family in Cape Cod.
Christine Lee Hanson, 2, the youngest born victim. She was aboard Flight 175 to California with her parents, Peter and Sue Hanson, to go to Disneyland.
Juliana Valentine McCourt, 4, like Christine Lee, was on Flight 175 with her family on their way to Disneyland.
Never Forget
25 years later, these children should be adults in the most exciting part of their lives. Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action remain in prayer for those in mourning today and vow to never forget the atrocity that took their lives.