In Memory of Daniel M. Van Laere

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Remembering you always Danny.

*** Posted by Kyna Garvin Eldred on 2011-09-10 ***

I sit here on the eve of the eighth anniversary of 9-11, not believing so much time has passed. The day of the tragic events was the day I returned from my honeymoon, and as I switched on the television, the first words I uttered to my wife were, "That's Dan's office!"

Not so long before, we had spent a wonderful weekend in Edinburgh before Dan in his inimitable style put us through the wringer as part of a corporate EH&S audit!

There is not a day/week/year that has passed when I do not think about him, but I have the luxury through the pain of smiling—and even laughing out loud at the times we spent travelling together. Work? Nah, it was always a vacation!

To Dan's family and friends, know there are many thoughts, prayers, and love coming from Scotland to you.

God bless Dan.

*** Posted by Gavin Mackay on 2009-09-10 ***

To Daniel's family, I pray every day for your family and Daniel. I can not believe it's been seven years since I have seen his smile and beautiful blue eyes. I know Daniel is in God's loving arms for all of eternity and watching over his loving family every day. I miss him so much and I know you all do too. He loves you all so much. Love,Always Michelle Monarque

*** Posted by Michelle Monarque on 2008-09-11 ***

Strangely shocking to see that even from across oceans of time and distance one has a personal relation to that horrible event. Seeing one's name in a list of this kind is unnerving. My thoughts go out to those who still feel the emptyness....

*** Posted by M. van Laere on 2007-05-05 ***

I have never looked at any of the world trade center sites before.  As I read and cry I just wanted to say some things. Dan was and still is my "cool" uncle.  I loved his sense of humor and going for trips in his camero (90's). He was laid back and fun to be around. He has two sisters, one brother,  five nieces, and two newphews.  He will always be in our memories.

*** Posted by Amanda Wiley on 2006-04-28 ***

I did not know until yesterday while watching a memorial on television (9/11/05) that Dan had passed away.  I heard his sister speaking Dan's name and then I was stunned to see his picture and name on the TV.  Dan was truly one of the nicest people I have ever met.  He was a dear friend of Ken and I enjoyed many weekends with Dan and Linda at the shore.  I remember Dan saying "kids, are we taking the family car tonight?" and saying that he throught I was ready to "break into a shimmy" while singing a song.  He had the most wonderful sense of humor and really cared about people.  I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing.  Linda and Ken and Dan's family - if you are reading this I am sending sincere condolences and I am deeply sad.  Dan - you are a true angel.  Rest in Peace.

*** Posted by Pamela Wahlberg on 2005-09-12 ***

I've had the great Honor of getting to know Dan.He was unbelievably kind and generous to everyone he knew.He was not the kind of person you could easily forget.He was and will always be considered A true friend, who I've thought about every day since he passed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family today and every day.He is "Our Angel" in Heaven.Love,Michelle Monarque (Montville,N.J.)

*** Posted by Michelle Monarque on 2005-09-10 ***

Peace, to everyone that was touched by Dan.

I wish I had gotten to know him better.

*** Posted by Ernie Page on 2005-03-17 ***

Nothing I could ever say could take away the pain Daniel's family and friends will always feel over his loss, but I want them all to know that on the one year anniversary of the attacks, members of my school handed out names of the victims. I was given Daniel's... since then I have learned that he had a fiance, a sister and a golden retriever. It is kind of hard putting the whole 9-11 thing into perspective for someone from a little town in Idaho, but I have put a face and a personality to this name. My little brother's name is Daniel. I wanted you to know that even though I only wore his name for one day, he has remained in my heart since then and I think about him and his family often. I have never met and you and probably never will, but know that I pray for all of you. I would like to offer you a quote form a spanish prayer: "God is not a killer, waiting for an ambush. God is a gardener waiting for the rose to be its fullest, it's most beautiful before being picked."

*** Posted by Jenny Wixom on 2004-03-20 ***

As I watched the horrific pictures of September 11th on television, I couldn't help but think that there had to be someone I knew who was caught in those buildings.

Having grown up in Glen Rock, and having watched the Trade Center being built during my college days in Manhattan, I began thinking about who could possibly be there that I knew.

At first, it seemed as though there was no one, but then an old high school friend called to tell me that there were several victims from Glen Rock -- and he recalled that I had hung out with the Val Laere kids when I was growing up. He told me Danny was among those missing.

I started searching the Internet and found information put up by Aon, Danny's employer. His picture stared out from the screen -- and I found myself sadly staring back as I thought of the grief his family must be feeling.

I had not seen Danny in many. many years, but I instantly recalled images of the days we played together -- he as the tag along little brother to Paul and myself.

I remembered playing ping pong in their basement, and tag in their yard. And I remembered looking at their house from my bedroom window, trying to see if they were around so we could play. They were fun days, and they will always bring back wonderful memories.

Incredibly, I know someone else who was in the tower that day at Aon. He is my cousin's neighbor in Chicago and was at Aon for a business meeting. He was fortunate enough to get out of the building. I only wish Danny had met with the same luck.

Sleep well, little brother. You will always be in my heart and thoughts... despite the many years.           

Bryan Jackson (Schenectady, NY)

bryjack@nycap.rr.com

*** Posted by Bryan Jackson on 2003-09-10 ***

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