HARTFORD, Conn. — Sept. 11, 2001 was just an ordinary day until it wasn't.
Duane Orloske was in an ordinary meeting as the director of the Student Center at Central Connecticut State University, and he missed a call from his wife.
Margaret Orloske was at work at Marsh and McLennan, on the 96th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center.
Duane doesn't know when Margaret called, whether it was before the attack, or possibly after, having come to the heartbreaking conclusion she would not be coming home, and she was calling to say goodbye.
Either way, Margaret’s final words and wishes for Duane went unsaid and unheard.
When asked what he felt like in those early moments, he said, “Oh... I was in a daze..."
September 11 Anniversary Photo Gallery
What followed was a long grieving and healing process, that 20 years later, is still only partly complete.
“It never goes away," he told FOX61 News. "You cry less, you reminisce less..."
Duane said he never would have gotten through it without his colleagues at CCSU.
"They took care of me for months, they came out and brought meals on a regular basis," he said. "They checked up on me."
Duane retired in 2007, and he is remarried now.
But even 20 years later, some pain remains. And there is also a smoldering anger.
So many family members of 9/11 victims talk about finding purpose in the wake of the attacks. And Duane’s purpose is getting to the bottom of them. He wants to discover who's responsible and culpable and see them held accountable.
Families of the victims filed a lawsuit, accusing Saudi Arabia of helping the hijackers. There are accusations Iran and Sudan were also complicit and charges the U.S. government knows more than it has revealed.
Duane wants to see all of it exposed to the light.
“Our government has a lot of documentation that I know our lawyers are trying to get their hands on to find out what we knew,” he said. “I'm just angry that there's more truth to be known, and it's being hidden."
FOX61 Archive video from 2001
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newsteam@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.