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Sep 11, 2006 8:24 am US/Eastern
A Father's Pain Never Fades
by Larry Mendte
NEW YORK (CBS 3) ―
The families of victims from the Philadelphia area formed a support group five years ago and travel to Ground Zero each year to reflect and remember.
"I don't know, this may be my last year doing it," said Bob McIlvaine of Oreland, Montgomery County.
On that fateful day five years ago, Bob lost his son Bobby. Bobby was just 26-years-old when he was murdered.
"He was an absolutely brilliant human being. I could go on and on," said Bob of his son Bobby, a Princeton graduate.
Bobby's body was recovered from the rubble and buried in Pennsylvania.
Ralph Maerz of Lansdale also lost a son on 9/11. Ralph's son Noell was just 29, his body was never found.
"It sounds strange, but this is where he was buried. This is his resting place right here," said Ralph Maerz standing at Ground Zero.
CBS 3's Larry Mendte who spoke with the two fathers who share so much yet feel so differently.
"I can't stand the President. The fact that so many families, that people are dying, because of my son's death does bother me," said McIlvaine.
"I believe in our president, my president, I know there's a lot of controversy about him not doing a good job, but I don't think we've had another terrorist attack since 9/11," said Maerz.
The victim's families are not alone. Many Americans grieve as they do, only their pain and anger is a little more intense.
"When I drive down the street and I hear a song or I just see something, I pull the truck over oh and maybe cry a minute or 30 seconds," said Maerz.
"It never goes away. The suffering isn't as bad as the years go on but the pain never goes away," said McIlvaine.
Both men said the day of the anniversary is not as difficult, with the support and services it keeps them busy. It is the day after that is the hardest.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
