Tall Order Featured in Reuters

The grief born on 9/11 forever changed the lives of these widows

By Roselle Chen

NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - 'TALL ORDER'

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, 11-year-old twins Mike and Dan Friedman walked to firehouses and hospitals, handing out socks to firefighters and first responders.

The boys had just lost their 44-year-old father, Andrew Friedman, on the 92nd floor in the North Tower.

"He meant everything to us as a dad, as a husband, as a friend, coach, role model," he said. "And that feeling that we're never going to see him again, that was tough. That was really tough."

Lisa Friedman Clark, Andrew's widow, recounts how her husband had supported her through a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy.

"The only thing Andy worried about in the world was me," she said. "He was just kind."

Dan said the idea for the family's sock company, Tall Order, was born on that Friday after the 9/11 attacks.

"These guys would come from all over... to go help out at Ground Zero and walk through the rubble," he said. "And their feet were getting dirty and sweaty and stinky. So they would always ask for clean and dry socks... things to help out with recovery efforts. So to us, socks have always represented hope for our family."

Mike and Dan will remember their father on the 20th anniversary in the way they do each year.

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