By Roman Zakaluzny
For families of Canadians who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, this Christmas was profoundly different from any other.
Most chose to spend the holidays away from home, away from the memories home would have stirred up.
Hand and Helga Gerhardt of Toronto lost their son, Ralph, in the World Trade Center attacks. Contacted in Washington, D.C., they said their Christmas was a low-key affair and they missed their son very much.
"This was only the second time in Ralph's 34-year life that he wasn�t with us for Christmas," said Hans.
"It was definitely difficult."
Ralph, a vice-president for Cantor Fitzgerald, worked on the 106th floor of tower one. He called his dad for the last time seven minutes after the first plane slammed into his building.
"We�re just having a quiet Christmas in Washington with out other son, Stephan," said Gerhardt.
Ralph's parents have been to New York four times since the tragedy, including the "Canada Loves New York" rally earlier this month. Hans Gerhardt is going there to host a Salute to Vienna concert New Year�s Day.
"Ground Zero has become (Ralph's) cemetery, whether we like it or not," said Gerhardt.
"We will definitely visit the Ground Zero site again."