Friends to the End: Co-worker Refuses to Leave Paralyzed Colleague in Trade Center Disaster

In a memorial service at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, President Bush mentioned the heroism of one man during the attacks on the World Trade Center. That man was Abe Zelmanowitz, who was on the 27th floor of 1 World Trade Center when the first plane hit. Although he could have gotten out of the building, he chose instead to stay with his friend, Ed Beyea, a quadriplegic.

Abe, an Orthodox Jew, refused to leave the side of Ed, a Christian, who was paralyzed from the neck down after a diving accident 20 years ago. Ed told Abe that he couldn't leave the office. The 42-year-old was struggling to breathe and of course couldn't walk down the stairs.

Abe, 55, told Ed's nurse that she should leave, and he would stay to help Ed. A fireman was already by their side offering to lend a hand. The nurse made it out. The fireman, and Abe and Ed--both computer programmers for Blue Cross/Blue Shield--did not.

In a sad twist, both men called their families in the throes of the terror--and told them they were fine.

Abe called his brother Jack on his cell phone, "and we assumed he was on his way home," Jack's wife, Evelyn, said. But during a second call minutes later he said he was still at work, she said. "He told me Ed was having breathing problems. I could hear a fireman in the background, and I was trying to convey, 'Just go.'"

"But he wouldn't leave him," Jack said.

Ed Beyea also called his mother after the crash to assure her that he was fine. Abe dialed and held the phone to Ed's ear.

"Mom, I'm all right," he said, according to his sister, Pam Southard-Park, a teacher. She said, 'Thank God.' "I was going up and down my school's halls giving a thumbs-up." When Southard's phone rang again, it was her son who told her the devastating news--that the tower had just collapsed, taking her brother and his best friend with it.

Ed's nephew Sean Southard and Abe's brother Jack Zelmanowitz and Jack's wife, Evelyn, spoke to the Early Show.

Sean, when did you find out your uncle was at the World Trade Center?

I knew my uncle worked there, so as soon as I saw the building on fire, I ran to the phone and called him at work. I got his voice mail and left a message. Then I called him at home hoping he missed work, because he often works from home, but I didn't get an answer. At this point tower number 2 was hit. I tried to call again. Then I got an email from my mom, saying that Ed had called my grandmother saying he was on his way down. Then the next thing I knew the tower had collapsed. The whole thing was surreal. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the tower to collapse. I called my family and they broke down in tears.

Did you think he could get out, considering he was in a wheelchair?

He was waiting for firemen to come up to help carry him down the stairs. In fact there was a fireman there taking care of him with Abe.

When did you find out he didn't make it?p>

I was hopeful for a couple of days afterward. I went to the hospitals in the area, made flyers, etcetera. I even stayed at his apartment to see if any calls came. No leads came in.

How close was he to Abe?

They were real good friends. They had worked together for 11 years as programmers. They apparently would have dinner and sometimes go out for drinks after work. Abe had visited my uncle on occasions in the hospital. My uncle was very fond of Abe and thought the world of him.

What was Ed like?

We were very tight. My uncle was a remarkable guy. Even in his condition, he was able to do many things and achieve a lot. I talked to him about three or four times a week. I saw him last about a week ago. When I was younger, I would go to Yankee and Knick games with him.

How is the family holding up?

They are trying to keep it together. It feels like this person was ripped away from us. There is no body and it's difficult to get closure. n fact, we're waiting to do any kind of memorial service until we get some kind of a final word about him.

Evelyn and Jack, how close was Abe to Ed?

Very, very close. I wasn't surprised at all at that he stayed with Ed. It's just the kind of person Abe was. Everyone could depend on him. Abe got along with everyone. He always found some common ground. He used to trade musical tapes and DVDs with Ed all the time. He was a "Mr. Fix-It," too, always fixing everything. He was everyone's favorite uncle.

He called you from his office?

Yes he called Jack first at home, then called me at work. He said he was fine and despite the fire, the air in his office was okay. He did send Ed's aid downstairs because she was coughing, though. And there was a fireman there with Ed and Abe.

Evelyn, we heard you told Abe to get out?

I kept telling him, 'You have to get out of the building.' I was even yelling at him and he just ignored me. I said what are you waiting for. It was very frustrating!! He said the fireman was making them move and he just hung up. He seemed very calm and he never thought he was in mortal danger.

Did you search for Abe after the buildings collapsed?

Yes, we made up flyers and we went to all the hospitals. We had no luck, but a lot of people called saying Abe was an inspiration. I even got a call from Australia.
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