The horrific events that took place on September 11, 2001 not only cost thousands of lives, it also changed many families forever. There were a little over one hundred unborn children who lost their fathers in what is dubbed as the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
In the months following the attack, some of the widows and their newborns were featured on TV specials (including interviews with Diane Sawyer) and on magazine covers like People.
Sixteen years after the planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the "Children of 9/11" are now teenagers who bring joy and hope to their families every day.
"They are the joy, the salve, the ointment. They're the love," says Jenna Jacobs, whose husband died six days before their son Gabriel was born.
These children never got the chance to meet their fathers, but they try their best to honor their legacies in any way possible. For some it's by wearing their dad's badge, for others it's a number on a jersey.
Some of the "Children of 9/11" are once again featured on People and this time they're old enough to let their voice be heard. Here's what they have to say:
1. Allison Lee
Allison was the first baby born to a father who perished in the 9/11 attacks. Dan Lee worked as a roadie for big bands including the Backstreet Boys, but was given time off to travel home for the birth of his daughter. Unfortunately, he was one of the victims on Flight 11. Allison was born two days after his tragic death.
"There's always an empty spot," Allison said. "But on September 11, we celebrate my dad's life."
The teen now lives in Henderson, Nevada with her mom Kelly, sister Nevada and step-dad Chris.
2. Ronald Milam Jr.
15-year-old Ronald Jr.'s parents were both working at the Pentagon during the attack, but it was his namesake father Ronald who didn't make it out alive. His mom, Jacqueline, was five months pregnant at the time. Today, the teen is a basketball player for his high school team and wears the number 33 on his jersey, his father's age at the time of his death.
3. Keith Glascoe Jr.
Keith Glascoe, a firefighter and actor known for his role in Léon: The Professional (1994), was one of the first responders on scene, but unfortunately he was killed when the second tower collapsed. The brave New Yorker and his wife Veronica were expecting their third child when the tragedy struck. The baby was born 7 months later in April 2002 and was named after his late father.
4. Robyn Higley
Robyn's 29-year-old father, Robert, started working at the World Trade Center just three months before the deadly attack. Her mother, Vycki, was just a few weeks away from her due date when she received the devastating news. Robyn Elizabeth was born seven weeks later on November 3.
The young woman told People that losing her father gave her a different outlook on life.
"I've always been aware of the world," she said. "The world should be a place where it's okay to be who you are, and to love whom you love and believe what you believe. Underneath, what we're made up of is the same."
5. Lauren McIntyre
Lauren's father, Police Officer Donald McIntyre, died just three months shy of meeting his youngest child. The brave cop ran into the South Tower to save those who were trapped, but he never made it out.
"I could only imagine how much courage someone could have to go into a situation like that," Lauren said in an interview with People. "It's beyond amazing."
The teen now wears her late father's badge as a locket with his photo to always keep him close.
6. Gabriel "Gabi" Dick
Ariel Jacobs, was attending a conference at the World Trade Center when the first plane hit. Six days later, Jenna Jacobs welcomed their son Gabi.
"I'm very lucky that I had Gabi so soon after Ari died, because I had somewhere to put my love and someone who needed me to be well," Jenna told People last year. "Because I don't think I would have been well by myself, but my baby needed me to be well."
Every year, on the anniversary of 9/11, the mother-son duo release balloons with notes addressed to Ariel.
"Some people believe in God or the greater power," said Gabriel. "I believe that the ones close to you that we've lost are there to help you, watching every step you take."
Their fathers would've been very proud of them if they saw how their children turned out.
[H/T: People]