Who We Are
Rosaleen Tallon
Rosaleen recently slept seventeen nights on the street in front her brother’s firehouse at Ground Zero, the “Tenhouse”, to warn of the serious symbolic and safety issues posed by the current LMDC/Port Authority underground memorial plan, “Reflecting Absence”. She lost her only sibling, USMC Reservist and Probationary Firefighter Sean Patrick Tallon, on September 11, 2001. She is the mother of two children, Judey 3 ½ and Sean 1 ½. Rosaleen earned her doctorate degree in education from Columbia University just months before 9-11 and has enjoyed being a science teacher for a number of years. Rosaleen began her involvement with the World Trade Center Memorial before the memorial design was even selected. As family liaison for the Advocates for 9-11 Fallen Heroes, 911fallenheroes.org, she contacted and polled rescue worker family members so as to accurately represent their wishes regarding the way the names of the fallen would be listed on the memorial. She was instrumental in drafting a complete name-listing proposal that was accepted by civilian family groups, rescue worker family groups, and rescue worker unions. After seeing a three-dimensional model of “Reflecting Absence”, Rosaleen felt compelled to raise family member and public awareness of the true underground experience of the memorial. In addition to advocating for a safer, more dignified, and more inspiring memorial, Rosaleen and her parents have worked with other family members to investigate why firefighters were sent into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 with handi-talkie radios that were known not to function on February 26, 1993. It is Rosaleen’s sincere hope that the lessons of September 11, 2001 be learned from and the sacrifice of our fellow man be remembered proudly in the light of day at the site that will always remain “Ground Zero” in the hearts of mankind.
Catherine Sally Regenhard
Is the founder and Chairperson of Skyscraper Safety Campaign ( SSC) www.skyscrapersafety.org, an award winning 9/11 public safety advocacy group of parents and families of firefighters and WTC victims. The SSC was founded in memory of her son, Probationary Firefighter Christian Regenhard, who was stationed in Red Hook, Brooklyn & was in one of the first groups to respond to the WTC. He and Engine Company 279 remain missing to this date. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Sciences and a Master’s Degree in Gerontology. Her organization has taken a leading role in calling for the NIST WTC Federal Investigation, the 9/11 Commission, and the reform of the NYC Building Code and has been among those focusing on the failure of FDNY radios in the WTC on 9/11.. The SSC played a pivotal role in obtaining the 9/11 tapes and transcripts and continues to call for full disclosure of all the deadly mistakes which led to the unnecessary loss of life in the WTC. Since shortly after 9/11, she had been dedicated to improving firefighter, building, and public safety and has focused recently on the danger of the proposed underground, code-exempt WTC memorial planned by the Port Authority of NY&NJ. She sits on the National Fire Protection Association’s High Rise Building Fire Safety Committee, frequently testifies at the NY City Council, and her SSC organization has been commended by members of Congress and the US Senate.
Dennis McKeon
Prior to taking on the position of Executive Director of Where to Turn www.where-to-turn.org , a recently formed not for profit organization, Mr. McKeon was a District Manager for ATT while also serving as the Chairman of the St. Clare’s WTC Outreach Program. Since 9/11 Mr. McKeon has coordinated an effort that has provided information and support services to over 1,500 9/11 families. Through Where to Turn he hopes to expand this service to any victim of tragedy. Through the development of an integrated website Where to Turn will provide easy access to all available support services. While developing the website Where to Turn has also initiated numerous local community programs such as the Snow shoveling for Seniors Program and the Gift of Life for 9/11 Program. Mr. McKeon also serves on the Community Advisement Committee for both the Brookfield and Fresh Kills Remediation Projects. He also coaches the St Clare’s Swim Team. He has lived on Staten Island for the past twenty years with his wife, a school teacher and his three sons.
Jim McCaffrey
Rev. Bill Minson
Nassima Wachtler
Sylvia Healy
Rosemary Cain
Martin Reilly
Liz and Allan Horowitz
Renee V. Rogers
