Andrew Riedel’s friends nicknamed him the “Quiet Giant” in tribute to his formidable 6-foot-6, 205-pound stature. On Sept. 11, 2001, as he and his mother numbly watched televised broadcasts of the terrorist attacks, the Quiet Giant wept. He adopted a new protectiveness toward his family and the friends he cherished.
“One of his best friends, D.J., he knew from elementary school. They grew up together. They talked all the time about their life, their future, all their plans. Being in each other’s weddings, living by each other when they got married, letting their kids grow up together. They were that close.
“All the plans. Getting married. Having children. Being here for his sister when she gets married. All the plans are gone.
“And that’s the hard part of not having him with us.”
– Sherri Busch, mother
