At Windows on the World, Michael Lomonaco said his team delivered world-class service to all who dined at the restaurant, known for its sweeping views from the World Trade Center.

"The group of people who worked together were they were committed to the hospitality that they could offer people who came from from all over the world,” said Chef Michael Lomonaco, the Co-Founder, Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund.

Lomonaco and his team took great pride in making their restaurant a premiere dining destination.

Then, on 9/11, his life turned upside down.  

That morning, he was getting his glasses fixed in a store in the concourse.

"It was just sheer luck that instead of going to the elevator that morning, I was there early. I was there at 8 a.m. five minutes past 8. So instead of going to my office, I went into an eye glass shop,” Lomonaco said.

He was evacuated to safety. However, his colleagues at the restaurant atop the World Trade Center died.

Lomonaco made it his mission to help the families of the workers who passed.

"Very shortly afterwards, the next thought is not only of the people we lost, but of their families they left behind. We created Windows For Hope for those families, the food service workers, the kitchen workers, the dishwasher,” Lomonaco said.

He and other restaurateurs started the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund. Lomonaco says 150 families received money from the fund.

"We focused on emergency relief, health insurance and education. That was the focus. We were able to raise, within a year, we raised over $22 million,” Lomonaco said.

Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund held the "Dine Out" in New York City on October 11, 2001. On this night restaurants throughout the city, country and world came together to raise money for the fund. Restaurants had the option to donate 10% or more of their proceeds from that night.

"We were able to raise over $1 million in that one night,” Lomonaco said.

Now, Lomonaco owns Porter House Bar and Grill. He said continuing his work as a restaurateur in New York City is his way of honoring the victims.

"By continuing to do the job that they were doing on the day they lost their lives, I take every day, in a small way, as a silent prayer of gratitude for their commitment and for who they were,” Lomonaco said.