MARI-RAE was named for MARI-RAE SOPPER, who paid the ultimate price in the attack on America September 11, 2001. Ms. Sopper, age 35, Santa Barbara, California, lost her life aboard American Airlines Flight 77 as the terrorists caused the airplane to strike the Pentagon. Having had a career as an attorney, she next turned to her real love: sports and teaching. Having coached gymnastics at the U.S. Naval Academy, the Colorado Gymnastics Institute, and a Junior Olympics center in Dallas, she went on to become the new coach at the University of California at Santa Barbara, a position she held only two weeks before her death. She was aboard the flight to begin her new life and career. Formerly a lieutenant with the Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corp, Ms. Sopper, a 1988 graduate of Iowa State and 1996 graduate of the University of Denver College of Law, somehow found time to volunteer. In addition, she received many awards for her gymnastic abilities. Lieutenant Sopper was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on October 8, 2001. Ms. Sopper was a special person. A lot of people dump their pets because they move. Ms. Sopper took her kitty, Sammy with her on that flight to move across country. Sammy died with his and his Mom went to the afterlife together. Pet Harbor salutes Ms. Sopper, a hero, and names this fabulous feline in her honor.

(Source: The Los Angeles Times 9/13/01, Denver Business Journal 9/13/01, Ms. Sopper's mother)