MERIDEN, Conn. — Across the country, millions of Americans took a moment on Monday to remember and honor the lives lost 22 years ago and observe the anniversary of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil.
Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including around 150 people from Connecticut.
In the city of Meriden, residents came together to honor the life of local hero Bruce Eagleson, who died helping others escape the World Trade Center that day. The city dedicated Monday as Bruce Eagleson Day.
“9/11 is always difficult for me," his wife Gail told reporters on Monday. "Bruce was the love of my life and it was very, very hard to watch and accept what happened that day.”
Eagleson was the manager at the Westfield Meriden Mall. He lived in Middletown but was on temporary assignment at the World Trade Center when the first plane crashed into the building.
He saved 13 lives that day, making sure his coworkers escaped from the 17th floor down the stairwell. He never made it out.
"I’m very happy he helped people and he saved people but it’s tough because he’s not here with me," his wife said.
One of the couple’s three sons spoke to their father on the phone that day as he was getting people to evacuate. He had promised he’d see his family soon, she said.
"He was just the type of person everyone loved," said Gail Eagleson. "We planned to have our grandchildren together, retire together, and it’s very hard."
Twenty-two years later, Gail Eagleson said her seven grandchildren now keep her going and they’re growing up learning about their hero, their Grandpa Bruce.
"I just tell them what a great person he was and that Grandpa Bruce would have loved to see you and would have loved being with you," she said.
Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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