© Walter Goralski 2011
Made with Xara
Camille’s Story:
Camille Obert grew up with Ann Nelson in Stanley, North Dakota, a town of about 1500 people lost somewhere
between Minot and Dickinson. She knew Ann mainly as another girl at Stanley High School, also a cheerleader, and in lots
of Camille's classes. But Camille didn't know her well, and to tell you the truth, a lot of students didn't really care for Ann's
rah-rah, life-is-so-great style. To some, she appeared full of herself, the pampered daughter of the town banker. She lived in
one of the biggest houses around, a rambling structure built into a hillside with views of the rolling fields.
She just seemed too good to be true. Ann was the one your mom and dad always compared you too and found you
wanting. Camille's father, Bob Obert, the local car dealer, was a close friend of Ann's dad, so she heard it all the time: "Ann
gets all As, why can't you?" "Ann got a scholarship to Minot State, why can't you?" When the only answer you could come
up with is "I'm not Ann," it did sound kind of lame, and Camille knew it. But where did Ann find time to do all of that stuff
anyway? Didn't she ever go out, or watch TV, or hang around with friends, or do anything normal?
Everybody knew that Ann was bigger than Stanley and that great things awaited her in the big world beyond the
wheat fields. She was so sure of herself, so confident, you just knew that anything she wanted in life, she was going to get.
After college, while the rest of Camille's classmates were spending summers raising kids or looking for a husband or just out
drinking and raising hell, Camille got reports that Ann had spent her vacation backpacking in China or making her way to
Machu Picchu. And probably solving world hunger in her spare time.
Ann worked in Minneapolis for a few years, ironically only a few miles from where Camille had settled with her mom.
But they never crossed paths. While Camille's life revolved around single parenthood, divorced parents, and a struggle to
make a living with the degree in public relations after the dot-com crash, Ann's finance major trajectory led straight up. All
the way to a position in New York City, in the financial district, as a bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of the
north tower of the World Trade Center.
Ann found an apartment not far away in early 2001. When she got to the office that Tuesday, she made a call to
confirm her attendance at a wine appreciation and tasting class that evening, an essential skill for up-and-coming traders in
New York. Watch out world! Ann has arrived!
At least until the first plane made an unscheduled stop at the 104th floor a few minutes later. They said that Ann was
probably among the first to die, and that it was likely a blessing.
Camille and Walter went with Camille's dad Bob to visit the Nelsons in 2002. Ann was their only daughter, and
although they had another son, he wasn't at all like Ann. Her father seemed shaken, but soldiering on. Her mother haunted
the big house on the hillside like a ghost. "My wife's been sick," Ann's father told us apologetically when she drifted from
kitchen to bedroom in bare feet and nightgown, hair askew. He didn't have to tell us what the disease was.
There is a nice memorial to Ann Nelson on-line, with lots of photos and links to "Ann's List," an unfinished list of 36
things she reminded herself to do and which was stored on Ann's laptop when it was returned to her family. If you have a
minute, you might like to look at it. Her mom is much better now.
They read Ann's name at the first 9/11 anniversary ceremony in 2002. Camille's husband watched all morning to
make sure they didn't leave it out. Her name was also included on the barrier at the World Trade Center site, along the east
side. Camille spotted it there in 2007. Because Ann was from a small town, Camille had to make sure that the big city still
remembered the little girl from North Dakota who had passed through.
Ann flanked by some friends in North Dakota...nice 80s hair, Cammy!
© Walter Goralski 2011
Made with Xara
Camille’s Story:
Camille Obert grew up with Ann Nelson in Stanley, North Dakota, a town of about 1500 people lost somewhere
between Minot and Dickinson. She knew Ann mainly as another girl at Stanley High School, also a cheerleader, and in lots
of Camille's classes. But Camille didn't know her well, and to tell you the truth, a lot of students didn't really care for Ann's
rah-rah, life-is-so-great style. To some, she appeared full of herself, the pampered daughter of the town banker. She lived in
one of the biggest houses around, a rambling structure built into a hillside with views of the rolling fields.
She just seemed too good to be true. Ann was the one your mom and dad always compared you too and found you
wanting. Camille's father, Bob Obert, the local car dealer, was a close friend of Ann's dad, so she heard it all the time: "Ann
gets all As, why can't you?" "Ann got a scholarship to Minot State, why can't you?" When the only answer you could come
up with is "I'm not Ann," it did sound kind of lame, and Camille knew it. But where did Ann find time to do all of that stuff
anyway? Didn't she ever go out, or watch TV, or hang around with friends, or do anything normal?
Everybody knew that Ann was bigger than Stanley and that great things awaited her in the big world beyond the
wheat fields. She was so sure of herself, so confident, you just knew that anything she wanted in life, she was going to get.
After college, while the rest of Camille's classmates were spending summers raising kids or looking for a husband or just out
drinking and raising hell, Camille got reports that Ann had spent her vacation backpacking in China or making her way to
Machu Picchu. And probably solving world hunger in her spare time.
Ann worked in Minneapolis for a few years, ironically only a few miles from where Camille had settled with her mom.
But they never crossed paths. While Camille's life revolved around single parenthood, divorced parents, and a struggle to
make a living with the degree in public relations after the dot-com crash, Ann's finance major trajectory led straight up. All
the way to a position in New York City, in the financial district, as a bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of the
north tower of the World Trade Center.
Ann found an apartment not far away in early 2001. When she got to the office that Tuesday, she made a call to
confirm her attendance at a wine appreciation and tasting class that evening, an essential skill for up-and-coming traders in
New York. Watch out world! Ann has arrived!
At least until the first plane made an unscheduled stop at the 104th floor a few minutes later. They said that Ann was
probably among the first to die, and that it was likely a blessing.
Camille and Walter went with Camille's dad Bob to visit the Nelsons in 2002. Ann was their only daughter, and
although they had another son, he wasn't at all like Ann. Her father seemed shaken, but soldiering on. Her mother haunted
the big house on the hillside like a ghost. "My wife's been sick," Ann's father told us apologetically when she drifted from
kitchen to bedroom in bare feet and nightgown, hair askew. He didn't have to tell us what the disease was.
There is a nice memorial to Ann Nelson on-line, with lots of photos and links to "Ann's List," an unfinished list of 36
things she reminded herself to do and which was stored on Ann's laptop when it was returned to her family. If you have a
minute, you might like to look at it. Her mom is much better now.
They read Ann's name at the first 9/11 anniversary ceremony in 2002. Camille's husband watched all morning to
make sure they didn't leave it out. Her name was also included on the barrier at the World Trade Center site, along the east
side. Camille spotted it there in 2007. Because Ann was from a small town, Camille had to make sure that the big city still
remembered the little girl from North Dakota who had passed through.
Ann flanked by some friends in North Dakota...nice 80s hair, Cammy!
