The man shown in a now infamous photograph falling from the Twin Towers on 9/11 has been identified as Jonathan Briley, a claim made by the British tabloid,
. A documentary about 'The Falling Man' will be aired on the British TV channel 4 tomorrow. Briley was one of dozens who chose to end their own lives by jumping, rather than face the horror of being burned alive.
Five years after the horror of September 9, 2001, the falling man has finally been identified as Jonathan Briley, a 43-year-old who worked in a restaurant at the top of the north tower.
Over the years, his family has always assumed he perished in the building. Now, learning he had jumped is almost too much to bear.
His father, Alexander, a Baptist minister, has still not come to terms with the manner of his son's dying. "I can't talk about it," he says. "My life's work is telling people that they have to go on after tragedy, but I can't do it for myself."
Jonathan's elder sister, Gwendolyn, says: "When I first looked at the picture... and I saw it was a man - tall, slim - I said, 'If I didn't know any better, that could be Jonathan'....
THEY caught a man, seemingly calm, plunging to his inevitable death.
The picture was published around the world, causing widespread revulsion, as if merely looking at them was to intrude upon a moment of private agony. After September 12, the picture was rarely shown again, but Tom Junod couldn't get the image out of his head and spent years trying to discover the identity of the Falling Man.
It was executive chef Michael Lomonaco who finally solved the mystery.
"Jonathan fitted the body type, the skin colour, and it left the door open for a possibility that it was really Jonathan," Lomonaco says.
Jonathan's father is still too upset to speak about his son but his sister, Gwendolyn, is ready to talk.
"Jonathan was a person who just loved life and it was contagious so that when we were around him, you couldn't help smiling and laughing." Nobody will ever know for sure if Jonathan was the Falling Man, although the evidence makes it highly likely.
In one of the pictures, his white shirt is blown away by the wind to reveal an orange T-shirt - identical to the one he wore to work.
But as Gwendolyn says: "It's not about trying to find out who he is, but what his death says to all of us." And what it says is ... never again.
Never forget. Never again.
Thanks to Olivia for sending the link and for reminding readers that this drives home the point that the struggle against Islamofascism is not about race, but about a murderous and totalitarian ideology.
1
Have you gone totally insane Carlos? Calling for the slaughter of "all" Arabs?????
Posted by: Rusty at March 15, 2006 05:03 PM (JQjhA)
2
Rusty,
you should know me better by now. Delete, and then ban that IP.
Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at March 15, 2006 05:27 PM (8e/V4)
3
The school systems in America should show how Islam made that poor man jump from a building. My respects to the family.
Posted by: Leatherneck at March 15, 2006 05:27 PM (D2g/j)
4
Seems that the same person(s) that were trying to cause trouble last week (U.S Patriot/Warrior for Christ) is nick jacking.
another case of the lefts 'fake but accurate' projection?
Posted by: davec at March 15, 2006 05:34 PM (CcXvt)
5
I should have known better. Banned.
Posted by: Rusty at March 15, 2006 05:35 PM (JQjhA)
6
No worries. All it really means is that I really piss the moonbats off. And that makes it all worthwhile!
Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at March 15, 2006 05:44 PM (8e/V4)
7
This is a tragic story. I find the photos of people jumping from the towers to be very difficult to look at. They force one to think about how much suffering those people were enduring to make that final decision.
And it's all just a joke to people like the fake Carlos above.
Posted by: Graeme at March 15, 2006 05:45 PM (OBcUM)
8
The only joke I see is our government sending precious young Americans to Iraq to die for a worthless subhuman race that is only here to spread destruction.
I pray for the day our Marines get the order to round up and slaughter these vile arabs.
Posted by: Leatherneck at March 15, 2006 06:01 PM (p74Yq)
9
Damn. Houston, we have a problem. I'm assuming that's not Leatherneck either?
Posted by: Rusty at March 15, 2006 06:15 PM (JQjhA)
10
I don't think it is. Just a troll dropping turds because apparently what we ACTUALLY say on this blog doesn't live up to the screaming conservatives in their fevered brains.
Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at March 15, 2006 06:25 PM (8e/V4)
11
Wow. The emotions that photo stirred up. Feels like Sept 11, 2001 again. Some days I wonder if I agree with this Leatherneck dude, but that's just as wrong as what they did to us.
Posted by: Ernie Oporto at March 15, 2006 08:30 PM (WvUov)
12
Islamophobia:
Tell the people who were forced to jump from the twin towers, to escape the flames, that they have an irrational fear of islam.
/Frack islam. It's kill or be killed.
Posted by: Princess Kimberley at March 15, 2006 10:23 PM (9xjdU)
13
I haven't been able to put into words why it's so very hard to look at those pictures. But... "as if merely looking at them was to intrude upon a moment of private agony," is pretty close. I can't imagine being faced with that decision.
I wonder if they realize they started the story with:
"Five years after the horror of September 9, 2001..."
Posted by: Oyster at March 16, 2006 03:25 AM (YudAC)
14
Please do not stereotype muslim people. A handful of extremists are causing these barbaric acts of destruction and those who follow Islam for what it is would never dream of taking part.
After all the Klu Klux Klang is white people, if they murder an ethinic person then we do not stereo type all whites to be racist.
Posted by: Ram at March 16, 2006 05:04 PM (bqOl6)
15
difference is of course, you're comparing ideology vs. race, 4,000 Islamic terrorist acts since 9/11/2001 tell me again about this "handful"
Posted by: dave at March 16, 2006 05:16 PM (CcXvt)
Posted by: JAMIE at March 17, 2006 05:48 AM (Do2Wz)
17
we need to bomb bag dad and let sadam husain go through all the pain jonathan did and the rest of the horid crew
Posted by: amie at March 17, 2006 06:27 AM (Do2Wz)
18
we will never forget the people who died and thy wil always be remebered
ecspeacailly jonathan
kill the sudam husains group and let them lot suffer for the pain they cause
Posted by: laura at March 17, 2006 06:28 AM (Do2Wz)
19
I watched 'The Falling Man' last night and I found it heartbreaking. I had not seen the footage from that terrible day before, and I will never forget it. I personally think it was incredibly brave to jump from that building. It was that or burn to death. I know which I would choose.
Posted by: Sam at March 17, 2006 10:02 AM (2G+Yz)
20
i watch the falling man last night, it was hard to believe that this realy happened. it hard to believe that they had to choose how they died. i will never forget the picture
Posted by: meha at March 17, 2006 11:40 AM (Zlipb)
21
god bless america...we will never forget all the people who died on september 11th...
please remember dont hate muslims and mistake them for cruel heartless people...only the ones who have done such wrong things should be punished and hated...thank you
Posted by: may at March 17, 2006 03:27 PM (Zyc5C)
22
this man should hav been ok and i fell sorry for hi8m
Posted by: shannon at March 18, 2006 05:52 AM (pRf0G)
23
i am real sorry for all thouse peeps that dide and who ever done it should me hanged so that is wat i fink
Posted by: shannon x.babylove.x at March 18, 2006 05:56 AM (pRf0G)
24
I think Jonathon was a brave man ! I watched "The Falling Man" and i will never forget it! It touched my heart like it probably did millions ! He had courage and he took his life into his own hands and i respect him for that ! x x x
Posted by: Jodie at March 19, 2006 06:49 AM (EURzM)
25
After watching the 'falling man' last night i found it hard not to cry! i had never seen thease pictures before i had watched this but i will never forget the images but he had a choice of being burnt to death or jumping... i don't no what i would do its so diffiult to choose!
Posted by: katie at March 20, 2006 03:25 PM (FGEoC)
26
I would have caught fire first. That would take my mind off the free-fall....
Democracy has been rendered unpalatable by our misleader who hi-jacked the election process and demonstrated to the world what a fragile system democracy is that it can be bought by a green, tyrannical wannabe. His approach to spreading Democracy around the world is like trying to get a dog to come to you by beating it!
We need sensible leadership that will work hard day and night trying to figure a way out of this mess even if it means missing a photo-op, golf game, 5-week war-time vacations, playing guitar with the old folks during hurricanes, or autistic basketball. http://votetoimpeach.org
The world is my oyster! Round 'em up and rope 'em off!
Posted by: Hailus at March 22, 2006 12:20 PM (Y2ILH)
27
my regards go to the family of a devestating loss of such a kind and gentle man.
Posted by: louise at April 01, 2006 09:32 AM (uCbTT)
28
i just watched the documentry on 9/11: the falling man n now i realise that jonathan eric briley n i feel so sorry and angry that someone can do such a thing such a thing as to take someone's life in that way and my heart is with jonathan's family .
R.I.P JONATHAN ERIC BRILEY YOU WILL
ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS X X X X X X
Posted by: Lucas Brooke at April 08, 2006 06:55 PM (HXEXj)
29
just to say that i am only 14 n i will never forget those images i saw i found it hard not to cry seeing all those people jumping it was either that or be burnt alive i know what i would do and it was certainly brave for those people that did jump
R.I.P EVERYONE THAT DIED THAT DAY x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Posted by: Lucas Brooke at April 08, 2006 07:03 PM (HXEXj)
30
I watched the documentary on "The Falling Man"
i must say my heart is with everyone who died that day. Jonathan Briley was a brave man and i dread to fink wat he was feeling.
R.I.P XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Posted by: Sammy-jo at April 09, 2006 09:41 AM (Q+DnS)
31
I watched the documentary on "The Falling Man"
i must say my heart is with everyone who died that day. Jonathan Briley was a brave man and i dread to fink wat he was feeling.
R.I.P XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Posted by: Sammy-jo at April 09, 2006 09:42 AM (Q+DnS)
32
R.I.P for the victims of 9/11 xxxxx
Posted by: amy at April 09, 2006 02:34 PM (5GnRe)
33
I live in the U.S. I am only 14 and a freshman in High school. My world studies teacher he is from Britain. His mother still lives in Great Britain. My teacher told our class about his mother informing him about the video. I have been trying to find out more about the documentary. I have read the articles but not seen the video. It is crazy that anyone would have to decide wether they wanted to be burned by a terrorist act or jump and die in a form of 'suicide'.... CRAZY!
God bless those victims and families of victims of 9/11
Posted by: Ashley at April 09, 2006 07:23 PM (gcaIo)
34
as i steel feel hurt and upset today as i am only 11 n i was 5 or 6 when it happend ofcorse i didnt quit understand but now i wathed the falling man and looked up about it i know feel devestated and how much i think how brave johnathan briley was
may he rest in peace
r.i.p to evry brave sole in the towers
u will steel be in my hart till aslong as i live
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Posted by: hollie at April 10, 2006 06:24 AM (3nb8+)
35
I was devestated when i heard i was 8 when it happened i just would like 2 pay respect 2 evreyone who died in the attack and 2 all the families griving. RIP GUYS
WelshGuy224
Posted by: Ben at April 12, 2006 10:21 AM (9T+CG)
36
i wish that this never happend and that the world could just be peaceful i am 13 years old and i just cant belive this happend.
Posted by: joanne birks at April 30, 2006 12:24 PM (+xKX8)
37
i am twelve years old and i have never understood the pain and suffering poeple went through on 911 until watchang the falling man, now i do and i cry just thinking about it never mind seeing photos like the one of johnathon briley. god rest his soul. i dont understand why god lets theese things happen to inocent people.why?
Posted by: amy at May 02, 2006 12:14 PM (E1m4V)
38
Its not a matter of if , its a mattter of when. man will destroy itself and this world soon enough. killing arabs isnt the solution either,even if half of them are complete nutters there not all evil people. 911 is just one of many trajedys that have occurred in the past and there will be many more to come.
Posted by: anon at May 17, 2006 10:21 AM (HTTxf)
39
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40
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The man shown in a now infamous photograph falling from the Twin Towers on 9/11 has been identified as Jonathan Briley, a claim made by the British tabloid, The Mirror. A documentary about 'The Falling Man' will be aired on the British TV channel 4 tomorrow. Briley was one of dozens who chose to end their own lives by jumping, rather than face the horror of being burned alive. The Mirror:
