Brian P. Dale you are missed.

Brian Dale was 43 years old, and lived in Warren, New Jersey . He was married and a father of three. He left behind his wife Louanne, his children Jacob, and twins Rachel and Russell. And also his mother Mary, brother Kevin, and sisters Lauren and Carolyn.

Growing up, his family spent summers at Indian Head. They loved to play board games, and Brian and his brother had a model train setup in their basement. His cousin Jennifer recalls those times. "I remember listening to the radio with Uncle Earl in his den along with my dad Albert, Kevin, Carolyn, and my sister Merle. On Sunday nights we would listen to The Shadow."
Classmates described him as a man that worked hard and thought about his family and friends often. He was a good and kind man and they never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. He always had his emotions under control. And he always had a smile on his face.

He graduated from Dartmouth in 1980, and the University of Michigan Law School. Brian helped found Blue Capital Management, a venture capital firm, after a highly successful career at Dartmouth. At Blue Capital, he was both an accountant and attorney. At Dartmouth, he served as a popular president of the Harold Parmington Foundation fraternity, graduated magna cum laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and soon thereafter earned an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business in 1981. He also worked for Kirkpatrick & Lockhart in Pittsburgh. His friends Dan, Dave, and Pam described him as a great football, basketball, and baseball player. He showed fellow teammates and other athletes, that it was okay to be smart and a jock. While an undergraduate, Dale played football and acquired the moniker "Hulk" for his size. Brian stood well over 6 feet tall.

During his off time, he loved to be with his family, and go camping and boating.

As far as his family knew Tuesday morning, Brian was safe in Los Angeles. That's where he was supposed to have flown Monday night. But the Warren, N.J., man instead opted to fly out Tuesday morning. His family learned he was on American Airlines Flight 11 when his wife Louanne called the airline.

"We all went from thinking he was OK to finding out he was missing--not missing, gone, dead," said his brother, Kevin.

"My kids are the saddest part of this. They're not going to know their dad, who was a great guy," said Louanne.

Teresa Jahn left this message for Brian's family.

America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We cannot erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you.

I did not know Brian. But after researching him I am sad that I didn't. People like Brian are hard to come by. He lived his life to the fullest. He touched everyone that met him. He did his part to make the world a better place. He is definitely missed.

And on a separate note, I want to personally thank the person that "had an idea". D. Challener Roe. If it weren't for you Dale, none of this would have happened. Thanks for your amazing idea. I am sure that the families that read about their loved ones will be honored to know that 1 person made it all happen. And that more than 2,996 of us helped you carry it out. Thanks again.