Monday, September 11, 2006

Remembering 1... Of The 2,996

**updates at the bottom**

Today, thanks to the 2,996 project, I am remembering Richard Peter Gabriel. Richard was one of the 64 passengers who perished on flight 77 that crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.


Richard Gabriel was from Great Falls, Virginia. He was a decorated Vietnam War veteran and had been awarded a Purple Heart after losing a leg during Operation Meade River in November 1968. Richard was a native of New York and a graduate of Manhattan College. He received a master's degree in business from Columbia University after the war and worked for General Foods and other companies before starting his own company, Stratin Consulting Company.

Richard was en route to Australia on business for his company, via Los Angeles, on flight 77 when the fateful events of that day ended his life. He was 54 years-old. Richard was survived by his wife, Ann, his daughter, his four sons, his mother, sister, brother and five grandchildren.

Richard's daughter, Patricia, was working in midtown Manhattan that Tuesday when the attacks occurred. When she heard that they involved a flight to Los Angeles, the first leg of her dad's trip, she said, "the first thing I thought of was my father."

His colleagues at Stratin Consulting have these words up on the company website in memory of Richard:

"The Stratin family mourns the loss of co-founder Rich Gabriel, who perished in the hijacked airliner that crashed into the Pentagon on September11, 2001. Rich was far more than a colleague. He was a friend, guide and mentor to us all. Many remember his quiet but effective style, his strong belief in high principles, and his dedication to important values. We will miss his steadfast commitment to our goals, his total professionalism and especially his wry sense of humor."

Other people who knew Richard had these words to say:

"It was in 1979-80 that I knew Rich at general Foods and I will never forget the care he gave me as a kind and patient boss to a former fellow Vietnam Marine. In 1992, as GF "alumni", we explored a possible business arrangement..., a good memory & a road not taken." - Dick Frankovich

" Richard, may you rest in peace. What a horrible tragedy this is. My husband Stephen and Richard were friends years ago, and both men served valiantly on behalf of our nation in Vietnam. I'm sure if they could, they'd rush to serve our country once again." - Dana Charlton

"All members of Hotel Company 2/7 would like to extend our sincere condolences to all members of his family. Semper Fi Brother Rich. You will be sorely missed." - Jon Peterson

"Rich was a super guy and person and you all must miss him dearly. I know I will think of him always when I recall my childhood."- Bruce Sabin

















This is a security camera image of the moment that American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.

Just as the friends and family of Richard Gabriel will never forget their father, husband, son, brother and friend, we will never forget the events of that day and how they changed our lives forever. Richard was more than one of the 2,996 people that died on September 11th. He was one of us.

* Rest in Peace Richard * Richard's "United In Memory Quilt" can be seen here.


A special thanks to Dale who put together this project. Please go visit his site for links to more tributes and a little insight into his vision and all the tireless work that went in to putting 2,996 bloggers together to honor the victims of 9/11. It has been a privelege to be a part of this truly inspirtational idea.

Thank you!

***update*** Dale's (D.C. Roe) site seems to be down. I imagine from the high volume of traffic. But if you are interested in reading more tributes, you can find some linked here, here and here.

19 comments:

Jennifer said...

Beautifully done, my friend.

Ashley Lasbury said...

A beautiful tribute.

Bonnie B said...

THAT was an awesome tribute. We rarely hear about those who perished in the Pentagon, and I think is a tragedy-- four planes went down that day

Thanks

Jen said...

a wonderful tribute!! I'm having so much trouble getting through them. I can not imagine the pain all of the victims families feel.

I am so proud to be a part of this project, and I'm glad you are too!!

socialworker/frustrated mom said...

Nice tribute thanks.

Raggedy said...

Wonderful Tribute!
Thank you.
These are sad and hard to read....
I am honored to be a part of this project.
Mine is posted also...

The 2996 link is down. I have a new link on my site to view the participants.

Bless you…

Bar L. said...

This was very well done and touching tribute. This is an emotional day reading all of these! Mine is up too.

http://barbara007.typepad.com

Cosmic Siren said...

Thank you for visiting my tribute to Richard Catarelli. I also noticed that Dale's site is down. Perhaps I should post some of the other links too.

Carmen said...

Thanks for posting this piece of the 2996 puzzle.

Valerie said...

Tears and more tears that seems to be the theme of my day. This was a wonderful tribute and I agree sometimes we forget about the other people who died that day.

kateandjona said...

Thank you for sharing your beautifully written tribute!

Jonathon's Closet remembers Robert Levine.

Kate said...

Thank youfor letting us getting to know him a bit, so that he can live on forever in our collective memories.

I'm proud to be a part of the 2996 blogger family with you.

Kache said...

Wonderful tribute, thanks for sharing his life with us


Faina's tribute

Dayngr said...

Truly moving. While I was reading I was thinking about everything I was taking in and I kept looking back to his photo. Wow. Beautiful tribute. Thank you for doing this. I didn't know Richard P. Gabriel's story. Thank you for stopping by my memorial to Vincent Litto as well.

ditzymoi said...

Beautiful tribute for what seems a wonderful man. It's an incredibly sad day....

~Never Forget~

Mark Base said...

Very nicely, and tastefully, done.

Come and read about Ginger; she was quite an amazing person.

http://mdabase.blogspot.com

Digital Fortress said...

Thank you, your tribute was beautiful.

Five years have come, and five years have gone, and still we stand together as one…

I did not know any victims, but I learned a lot about my asigned person. His tribute is on my blog.

9/11 is what compelled me to re-join the military and do my part.

Sandra said...

What a beautiful, moving tribute. It was wonderful to read about this man through your heart felt words. Thanks for sharing this.

Zephra said...

I am sorry I am so late rading your tribute. There are just so many to read. You did a great job. Beautifully written.