The ringing of a wall-mounted telephone on the morning of September 11, 2001, changed everything for Arnold Roma. He had just finished a 12-hour hospital shift and was trying to catch some sleep at his home in Staten Island. When he finally answered that phone, he didn’t hear a friendly greeting. Instead, he heard the frantic, piercing sound of sirens on the other end of the line and the voice of his 27-year-old son, Keith Roma.
CNN reported that the younger Roma told his father, “Dad, they’re going to need everybody. You better get down here.” Arnold, a former NYPD officer, volunteer firefighter, and nurse, promised to meet him at the World Trade Center. It was the last time the two would ever speak. For the last 25 years, the number 343 has been etched into the national consciousness as the official tally of FDNY members lost in the attacks. However, this count leaves out Keith Roma.
