Plaintiffs' Statements   Tara Bane Clara Chirchirillo Grace Godshalk Fiona Havlish Theresann Lostrangio Ellen Saracini Russa Steiner   Statement of Tara Bane   Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups took action against the American public on September 11, 2001. My husband, Michael Bane, was one of the thousands that were killed on that day as a result of their hate toward America and our people. Michael was employed by Marsh & McLennan as an Assistant Vice President of the casualty claims division. His office was on the 100th floor of the North Tower (tower one) of the World Trade Center. He was extremely proud to be working in the WTC. He was one of few people worldwide who worked so high up in the sky. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, my husband got up for work at about 5:30 am, fed our dogs, and kissed me goodbye. As he left our bedroom, he smiled at me and said, "I love you". He left our house at approximately 6:40 am - never to return. I first learned of what happened at approx. 9:00 am. The radio stated that a small commuter plane struck the WTC. My thought was that he would be OK even if it hit his floor because he did not sit by the window. As I continued to drive to work I heard on another radio station that a second plane hit the towers and they were large commercial jets. This station also indicated that it was a suspected terrorist attack. The intense fear overtook me. I was shaking uncontrollable and crying. I ran up to my office and ran for a phone. By this time I could not see the numbers on the telephone to dial because I was crying so much. I called to a coworker and informed her that my husband was in the buildings, my brother-in-law may be in the buildings and my father worked downtown. I was unable to contact any of my family members due to the phone lines being down. I returned home to my house in time to see the towers collapse. As a I watched the attacks with panic rising inside of me I was still unable to determine if my other family members were ok. It took several hours to hear from the rest of my family members and to find out they were all safe. But we still did not hear from Michael. The next few days were filled with making grueling phone calls to hospitals, and emergency hotlines, describing what my husband looked like, indicating any identifiable features including birthmarks, and what he was wearing on 9/11. I had family and friends visiting hospitals and other places in New York City placing Michael's photo around in hopes of someone recognizing him and receiving some information as to his whereabouts. I had to collect DNA samples of my husband and track down dental records as well as past x-rays in hopes of identifying him either alive or dead. That first tortuous week and a half was spent with my family by my side, hoping, praying that Michael would be ok and waiting for that phone call stating so. During that time I was filled with the fears and panic of what Michael went through: If he jumped out a window in efforts to get away from the flames, if he was burned alive, if he was trapped and couldn't breath from all the smoke and flames, if he survived the plane crash and then had to suffer for the remainder of his life, if he was buried alive once the towers collapsed. These thoughts still plague me today. And to this day, I am filled with anxiety with regards to receiving that phone call notifying me of what body part of my husband was discovered, as well as the very real possibility of never having any piece of my husband be recovered. Michael Bane was a fun loving, easy going, good guy. He loved to spend time with our nieces and nephews playing sports and games. He enjoyed his home and having family and friends over to visit, playing volleyball and BBQ-ing. He took care of our dogs and loved having them around. He recently began playing the guitar again which he did as a young adult. I often would come home from work and find him playing the guitar and I would just listen and be soothed by it. Now, the music has stopped and I look at the guitar and wish I could see and hear him play it again - but that will never happen! When my husband died there was a part of me that died also. It was the life that I had planned to share with Michael. It was raising children together, helping them to grow up as good moral, fair people as my husband and I am. It was growing old together enjoying our home and our lives together. And now my life is completely different, unfamiliar, and lonely. My canvas has been wiped clear and I have to rediscover that canvas, incorporating the right colors and forms. And as I begin to regroup I have realized that I need to take some kind of action. I have to let the terrorist groups know that though Michael was killed by their hands, and I am filled with pain, hurt and anguish every day of my life - I will not give up on my life, and I will not give up on all Americans. Joining this lawsuit is giving me an opportunity to honor Michael and all those for whom life was cut short in the name of terrorism. This lawsuit is not against any American business, corporation or our government. Those who orchestrated the 9/11 attacks need to be held accountable for their actions. And they are the terrorist groups, Al Qaeda and the others who finance and support them. My expectation with this class action suit is not for financial recovery but for limiting the terrorists' ability to attack any other part of the United States and protecting our people in the future. Al Qaeda and all the other terrorist groups, as well as those who harbor them and finance their actions have caused a tremendous amount of pain, suffering and agony to many of us. This destruction of life and land needs to stop. My intention with this class action suit is to bankrupt the terrorist groups and prevent them from inflicting the pain and suffering that I have endured, onto any other American. Our country, its people and all of our monuments, which represent the American dream, need not experience the tragedies of 9/11 ever again. Tara Bane February 19, 2002         Return to Home Page | Site Design by Ravine Design & Advertising