The children of 9/11

They've been called "The Children of 9/11," youngsters who waited in vain for a parent to come home 10-years ago Sunday night, or who never knew their lost parent at all.

CBS News correspondent Cynthia Bowers reports that more than 3,000 children under 18 lost parents on 9/11. Ten years later many of these youngest victims are coming of age but still coming to grips with their loss.

Many of those children gather Sunday, clinging to family members, sharing memories.

"Daddy I love you. I miss you. I wish you could see me now," said Jalen Glenn, who was among those getting the chance to touch their loved ones, if only etched in bronze.

Peter Negron was one of those. He was only 11 when his dad, a Port Authority Project Manager, died. Peter was a boy torn between grief and a desire to be there for his two-year-old brother, Austin.

"I've tried to teach him all the things my dad taught me, how to ride a bike, catch a baseball and work hard in school," Peter said.

A heartbreaking 932 children were left behind by the 658 employees of the bond firm Cantor Fitzgerald. CJ, 13, lost his dad John Gerard Monahan.

"I wish I could have known you better," CJ said.

Stephanie DeSimone's father Edward worked at Cantor, too

"Not a day goes by that I don't think about you," Stephanie said. "You will always be my best friend and my hero. I love you with all my heart and I couldn't have asked for a greater daddy than you."

Nicholas Gorki, 10, is one of 108 children born after 9/11.

"To my dad Sebastian Gorki, who i never met because I was in my mom's belly, I love you father," Nicholas said. "I love you for the idea of having me. You gave me the gift of life. I wish you could be here to enjoy it with me."

So does Peter Negron, who has grown up before the nation's eyes. At a 2003 memorial as a thin shaky teen, he read from a poem, "Stars."

"I like the way they looked down from the sky and didn't seem to mind the way I cried," goes the poem.

These days, a poised 21-year-old college student, Peter says he still feels a void.

"I wish my dad had been there to teach me how to drive, ask a girl out on a date," Peter said. "I hope I can make my dad proud of the young men my brother and I have become. I miss you so much dad."

Many of the young people Sunday said they wanted their missing parent to be proud of them. On the 9/11 anniversary, they earned the pride of the nation.