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On the Story

Los Angeles Couple Celebrate Their Anniversary, September 11

Aired November 22, 2001 - 09:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: September 11th is a date that many will associate with destruction and disaster, but not so for a Los Angeles couple. For them 9-11 symbolizes their love and their family. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On a cliff overlooking the Pacific, Ron and Michelle Vazzano reflect on their lives together. This is the chapel where they married 18 years ago.

RON VAZZANO: How many (INAUDIBLE)?

GUTIERREZ: It is the very place where they celebrate each anniversary, a date none of us will forget.

MICHELLE VAZZANO: We were married on September 11th and so it just makes sense that we would come back here every September 11th.

GUTIERREZ: Each year they take an anniversary picture. This year they decided should be no different.

M. VAZZANO: It started out, it was just the two of us. Then the next year I was pregnant, then the next year we had a little baby. Then the next year I was pregnant again, and then, you know, all through, for 18 years including September 11th 2001.

R. VAZZANO: Normally that would be a time for reflecting on the marriage. Well on this particular day, it wasn't.

M. VAZZANO: I think September 11th, you know, made me realize how fragile life is; how precious life is.

R. VAZZANO: I'm very thankful that we didn't lose any family or friends in that tragedy, and I feel thankful for that.

M. VAZZANO: A couple of people said well, why don't you have another ceremony say on September 12th. But no, September 11th was ours first and I don't want to give that up.

R. VAZZANO: As we go forward, I'm not at all upset by the fact that somehow our anniversary will be marred by this. It's now for me added a dimension to it.

GUTIERREZ: On this Thanksgiving, Ron and Michelle celebrate family.

R. VAZZANO: I can't believe, though, that you don't remember being here before - never.

GUTIERREZ: And each moment they can spend together. Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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