Politics & Government
Honoring Those from Burke and Springfield
Of the 184 people who died at the Pentagon on 9/11, these ten were our closest neighbors.
Burke Patch expresses grateful appreciation to the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial for permission to use excerpts from their profiles. The hyperlink at each person's name leads to that person's complete biography on the memorial's web page.
Charles Droz and Vicki Yancey were passengers on Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon. The others were in the Pentagon at the time of the crash.
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Rosa Maria (Rosemary) Chapa was born on April 6, 1938, in San Antonio, Texas.
Rosemary began her federal career in 1970 as a clerk-typist at Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico. She held several positions in the Federal Government, working her way up to her position as a senior management officer in the Office of the Deputy Comptroller for Force Structure and Management, Office of the Comptroller, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
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Prior to her 1997 arrival in DIA, she served as a civilian with the Department of the Air Force, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During her 31-year career, Rosemary received numerous awards and honors but, according to her family, the shining star of her awards was the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award, awarded by the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) for her service in the JCS.
Rosemary’s family will remember her for her love; as they recalled, “she loved her family more than anything, especially her two dogs, Penney (a beagle) and Luckey (an all-American). Despite her busy career, her family always came first. At Christmas she never failed to be persuaded by her kids and husband to make homemade tamales.”
Ms. Chapa is survived by her husband, José, and their children, Grace, Julie, Elza, Roger and John; her father, Manuel Faz; sisters, Mary Gomez and Elza Guajardo; brothers, Gerald and Cesar Faz; and five grandchildren, Kelley Ellis, Jennifer, Monica, Karisa and Daniel Chapa.
Charles A. Droz, known by many as “Chuck,” had over twenty years experience developing products and technology for distributed computing environments. Prior to joining EMSolutions, he spent 20 years in the Navy. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Grove City College, and a Masters of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Chuck was a passenger on Flight 77. At his death, he left behind his wife, Cindy; daughter, Shannon; and mother, Suzanne.
CDR Patrick Dunn, USN (1962 - 2001)
Despite his busy life in the Navy, CDR Patrick Dunn, 39, and his wife were in constant communication. The morning of September 11, he kissed Stephanie, 31, who was two months pregnant with their first child, before leaving for work at the Pentagon. Then, for the first time, he kissed her stomach, too.
He telephoned later to tell of the terrorist attacks in New York City. After the Pentagon was hit, when he didn’t call back, something told her quickly, starkly, and clearly that he was gone.
On Sunday, as she sat in the living room of their Springfield town house wearing her husband’s sapphire Naval Academy ring on a necklace, she spoke of life married to a sailor. “Pat’s favorite thing was to be at sea,” Stephanie said, “He loved to be at sea. He... absolutely loved it. His home was at sea. If the ship was rocking, he was happy.... It was in his blood.”
“It was like almost part of me left,” Stephanie said of the moment when she learned of the Pentagon attack. “I covered my mouth and I screamed, ‘No!’ It’s like my body knew, and I don’t know how to describe it... But part of me left with him. I knew right away – my life had just changed.” CDR Dunn was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
LTC Stephen N. Hyland, Jr., USA (1956 - 2001)
Hyland, 45, who went by his middle name, was a lieutenant colonel in the Army and worked at the Pentagon on personnel issues. October would have marked his 21st anniversary in the military, but he has been officially declared missing since September 11.
He lived in a Burke townhouse that friends say was a hub of social activity. When he moved in a year ago, the first piece of furniture that arrived was a pool table, a neighbor said. “It wasn’t for himself. It was an attraction for friends,” said Stephen Tobin, a military buddy from way back.
Weekends, Tobin said, were party times for Hyland, when friends would gather for barbecues and laughs. During the week, however, Hyland took his job seriously. “He was so elated to work at the Pentagon,” his father said.
“He always had a great love of life,” friend Ruth Tobin said. “He also had a great love of history. The fact that he is part of history is going to give us comfort; not now, but I think in years to come.”
Recalling his laughter and dedication to country, his sister, Cheryl Hyland, put it simply: “I’m proud that Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Neil Hyland is my brother.”
LTC Dennis M. Johnson, USA (1953 - 2001)
Lieutenant Colonel Dennis M. Johnson, an Adjutant General Corps Officer, served in a wide variety of both command and staff positions throughout his 25 years of military service. He was on his second tour at the Pentagon, with his most recent assignment being the Chief of Personnel Services working directly for the Deputy Chief of Staff-Personnel.
When his wife, Joyce, was asked to describe words that came to mind when she thought of her husband she stated, “quiet, gentle, honest, fun loving and extremely dedicated to his job.”
On the morning of September 11, Joyce and Dennis kissed each other goodbye and she waved to him from the front door and then the kitchen window (as was their morning ritual), never realizing she would never see that wonderful twinkle in his eyes again. Later that morning, at school, she watched in shock as the plane crashed into the Towers, trying to stay focused on her duties. And then they showed smoke coming from near the Pentagon. News reporters stating they thought a plane had hit the Pentagon. She waited for her daughter Cassie to come to the Career Center and they just hugged each other. Hearing no news from her husband she knew he must surely be helping someone; it was his job to take care of people. Minutes passed into long hours… still no word. Several times that day she received calls asking if Dennis had called or come home. About eleven o’clock Tuesday night she was given two different numbers to call: one if he returned, and a different number if he didn’t. Unfortunately, he never returned. As Den always told his kids when things didn’t go the way they wanted them to, “Life isn’t fair.”
His wife, Joyce, and his two children, Dawn and Cassie, survive LTC Johnson. His parents, Bob and Elva Johnson, and his three younger siblings, Diane Czlapinski, Richard Johnson and Gail Lindner, also survive him.
On September 29, 2001 LTC Johnson received full military honors with interment at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Patricia E. Mickley (1960 - 2001)
Patty is an American hero. We will always think of her as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend or associate. We can be proud to live with the knowledge that she would have willingly given her life to protect us. We can share honor in our association with her. We can express love because that is what she would have wanted. Patty’s daughter, Marie Jacqueline, will always carry many loving, tender memories of her mother. She will miss her, think of her often, and love her the rest of her life. She will draw comfort knowing that her mother died for our country.
Patty was born in East Chicago, Indiana on October 15, 1959. She was raised in Dale City, Virginia. She is a Virginia Tech University Alumnus. She dedicated more than 19 years to the Department of Defense. Patty is survived by her husband, Joseph (Joe); daughter, Marie; father, Philip; mother, Jacqueline; sisters, Anne and Katherine; brother, John; and nieces and nephews: Jennifer, Colleen, Aimee, Lewis, Sarah, Nicole, Andrew, Lisa and John.
Charles E. Sabin, Sr. (1947 - 2001)
Charles (Chuck) Edward Sabin was born on July 31, 1947, in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. He attended the Drexel Institute of Technology, where he was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma fraternity and the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
After four years on the Dean’s List, Chuck graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969, and began his federal service career as an accountant with the Army Audit Agency.
He joined the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in August 1981 as an accountant, and went on to become DIA’s Senior Financial Resources Expert as a Defense Intelligence Senior Level appointee. Chuck received the Director’s Award for Meritorious Service in 1984 and the Director’s Award for Exceptional Service in 1991.
Chuck’s family said he was planning to retire in a year and a half. He always intended to move to Asheville, North Carolina, to be near streams, lakes, mountains and good fishing, but six months ago he changed his mind and decided he would stay in DC. He felt that all of his friends were here. His family felt that he was just at his pinnacle; he loved life and had many good friends.
Mr. Sabin is survived by two sons, Charles E. Sabin, Jr., his wife, Tara, and their children, Raven and Sydney of River Ridge, Louisiana, and Paul M. Sabin of Mobile, Alabama; and two brothers, Martin Sabin and his wife, Debbie, of Havertown, Pennsylvania, and Frederick Sabin and his wife, Chris, of Ocean View, Delaware.
Marjorie C. Salamone (1948 - 2001)
Marjorie Champion Salamone grew up on a dairy farm in Pine Mountain, Georgia. She excelled in school and graduated from high school at the age of 16. She earned her Bachelor’s degree with honors in Textile Chemistry at Auburn University, as well as her Master’s in Textile Science.
Tuesday morning [September 11, 2001], Amanda, 22, called her mother’s Pentagon office. Through her Manhattan window, Amanda saw the attack on the World Trade Center towers. Salamone comforted her, then left a message on her husband’s voice mail: Amanda is safe.
“She was always thinking of us,” said Ben Salamone, 55, who at the time was giving a briefing at the Department of Agriculture. That was the last time he heard Marjorie’s voice.
She was devoted to her daughters, Amanda and Ann Marie, 24, and was a constant presence at their schools when they were growing up.
“My wife was a very loving person, and I sincerely miss her,” said Dr. Salamone, “I saved all the letters, cards and notes she ever wrote me. One day, I’ll let my daughters see them.”
Janice Marie Scott was born on October 12, 1954 in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Army Personnel Command in Alexandria, Virginia, hired her in 1987 as an assistant budget officer. She also continued to further her education by taking night and weekend classes at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. She graduated on December 23, 1988, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. This great achievement was instrumental in helping her to acquire a Budget Officer position in 1989 with Resource Services Washington of the Office of Assistant Administration in the Pentagon. Janice was promoted in June 2001, as a Budget Team Leader with Resource Services Washington. She was employed by this organization when the tragedy occurred on September 11, 2001.
Janice’s commitment to children, her community and her personal growth led to her involvement in a number of organizations. She was a member of Blacks in Government, 5-Star Toastmasters Club, Association of Government Accountants, and the Burke-Fairfax Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. She was also a member of Greater Little Zion Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia.
Vicki Yancey, of Springfield, was an eager worker and an even more eager traveler. The former naval electronics technician, bound for a business conference in Reno, Nevada, was on the first of what she hoped would be many trips for Vredenburg, a Washington-based defense contractor for which she worked.
She wasn’t supposed to be on American Airlines Flight 77. However, ticketing problems delayed her departure on an earlier flight, and she made it onto the American plane with minutes to spare. When she called her husband, David Yancey, to let him know, each said, “I love you,” before hanging up.
The 43-year-old mother of two daughters – Michelle, 18, and Carolyn, 15 – loved politics, figure skating and the beach.
In 1991, she wrote a letter to the Washington Post lamenting the demise of the one-income family. That led to an appearance before the Senate Finance Committee, where she testified about the struggles of middle-class families. USA Today, CNN, and PBS followed up with stories. Above a picture of her on her Web page, Yancey wrote: “I love politics – here’s me testifying before the Senate Finance Committee in 1991. What an exciting day that was!”
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The following websites were also used in preparing this article.
Sacred-Texts: American Airlines Flight 77
Great effort has been made to honor these Americans and their families with accurrate details. However, facts varied in our research. Please email Susan.Larson@Burke.Patch if any corrections need to be made. Thank you.
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