NEW CANAAN, Conn. On the anniversary of 9/11 this Sunday, Frank Fetchet will be thinking of his son Bradley, just as he has for the past nine years when this day arrives.
There will be sadness for the 61-year-old New Canaan father when recalls his son, just 24 when he perished at the World Trade Center, where he worked as an equities trader for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. But he will also be appreciative of the years he had with his son, and hopeful for the future.
As terrible as it was to lose his oldest son, Fetchet says its important for him not to focus solely on Bradleys death. What keeps me going as a father who lost a son is [his] life and not the death, he said.
Fetchet and his wife, Mary, have worked to make things better for the families that lost loved ones through Voices of September 11. Founded by Mary, Voice provides support services to victims' families and archives victims' life stories and the accounts of responders. Frank Fetchet now works as the groups business director.
The horrific events of 10 years ago have made Americans conscious of security, which Frank Fetchet sees as a positive. I think more people are looking at their own preparedness, he said. When they board trains and planes, people are more cognizant. I think people are more attentive to their surroundings.
He says he thinks about the good that has happened in the days since the attacks, including the work with Voices, the friendships hes made and the strength of his family, a family that will grow by one in December when his son Wes, 31, and wife Sarah welcome a daughter into the world.
Sept. 11 is a day of reflection and a day of hope, said Fetchet. I feel so fortunate to have a strong family, strong friends and strong faith. I have the right balance in all of those.
What feelings do you have as we approach the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks? Let us know by leaving a comment below or by visiting our Facebook page.
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