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Justin Bieber Inspired 9/11 Victims' Daughters To Write Obama
By
Jen Chung
Published May 6, 2011
Modified May 6, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 6, 2011
Modified May 6, 2011
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President Obama's solemn visit to Ground Zero and meeting with first responders and 9/11 victims' families was marked by a little levity—and the Bieb. Friends Payton Wall and Madison Roberston, both 14 year-olds whose fathers died in the September 11, 2001 attacks, had written letters to the White House and, on Monday, Payton's letter— about "the entire day [of Sept. 11, 2001] and how I pictured it happening, and what it's like to have to live without a father"—happened to be in the batch of 10 random letters the White House staff gave Obama. The teens and Payton's mother and sister were invited to meet the President yesterday.
Payton Wall revealed, "We wrote our letters after we saw Justin Bieber's movie. He inspired us to open up and tell our stories about how hard is to grow up without our fathers." She said that the president gave them hugs, and "then just said, 'I hear you guys really like Justin Beiber. I know Justin Bieber. I got swag.'"
Madison told the News, "He was so cool. Our dads are smiling down at us from above," but added, "He came because they got Bin Laden. It's a good thing, but the pain is always there. It's not going to bring our dads back."
Obama reportedly told the teens he would try to help them meet Bieber the next time the singer is in the area.
Tagged
9/11
ground zero
inspiration
justin bieber
president obama
teens
world trade center
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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