Some years, this just sneaks up on me, and this is one of those years. It’s September 11, and that means today we honor those who were killed when hijackers brought down four airplanes in an act of terrorism that those of us who were alive that day will never forget. And while the tributes elsewhere will focus on all the people who were murdered, I will continue to keep a narrower focus.
As always, I continue the tradition Holly Hegeman started so many years ago… honoring those on-duty crewmembers who were murdered that day by printing their names.
American 11 (Boston to Los Angeles)
Crashed into World Trade Center
Barbara Arestegui, Marstons Mills, MA, flight attendant
Jeffrey Collman, Novato, CA, flight attendant
Sara Low, Boston, MA, flight attendant
Karen Martin, Danvers, MA, flight attendant
Thomas McGuinness, Portsmouth, NH, First Officer
Kathleen Nicosia, Winthrop, MA, flight attendant
John Ogonowski, Dracut, MA, Captain
Betty Ong, Andover, MA, flight attendant
Jean Roger, Longmeadow, MA, flight attendant
Dianne Snyder, Westport, MA, flight attendant
Madeline Sweeney, Acton, MA, flight attendant
United 175 (Boston to Los Angeles)
Crashed into World Trade Center
Robert J Fangman, Claymont, DE, flight attendant
Michael Horrocks, Glen Mills, PA, First Officer
Amy Jarret, Philadelphia, PA and Rhode Island, flight attendant
Amy King, Stafford Springs, CT, flight attendant
Kathryn LaBorie, Providence, RI, flight attendant
Alfred Marchand, Alamogordo, NM, flight attendant
Victor J. Saracini, Lower Makefield Township, PA, Captain
Michael Tarrou, Stafford Springs, CT, flight attendant
Alicia Titus, San Francisco, CA, flight attendant
American 77 (Washington/Dulles to Los Angeles)
Crashed into the Pentagon
Charles Burlingame, Herndon, VA, Captain
David Charlebois, Washington, DC, First Officer
Michele Heidenberger, Chevy Chase, MD, flight attendant
Jennifer Lewis, Culpeper, VA, flight attendant
Kenneth Lewis, Culpeper, VA, flight attendant
Renee May, Baltimore, MD, flight attendant
United 93 (Newark to San Francisco)
Crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Lorraine Bay, Hightstown, NJ, flight attendant
Sandy Bradshaw, Greensboro, NC, flight attendant
Jason Dahl, Denver, CO, Captain
Wanda Green, Linden, NJ, flight attendant
Leroy Homer, Marlton, NJ, First Officer
CeeCee Lyles, Ft Myers, FL, flight attendant
Deborah Welsh, New York City, NY, flight attendant
25 comments on “Honoring the Flight Crews That Died 23 Years Ago Today”
There are a few things that comes to mind with your post, among which :
– I think I commented on this same requiem 13 years ago (there was an ommission in your list), and it stills feels like it was yesterday ! So congrats on (and thanks for) your unfaltering dedication to memory !
– Time is sure flying, but those live TV images of the second plane hitting the WTC while they were showing the fire from the first one and trying to figure what had happened are still very “visible” in my memory !
Thank you, Brett.
Never forget
May their memories always be a blessing.
Amen. Such a poignant way to phrase it.
That’s pretty much how most of the Jews I know express their condolences to those who’ve lost loved ones. I agree with you that it’s a great way to do it.
Thanks, yes. Always fascinating to hear how different groups/cultures approach common human events in terms of rituals, what they say, etc.
Thank you, Brett. This day and this reminder hurt every year. This act of cowardice changed my life and changed the aviation industry. Each day, when I go to my aviation job, I remember these 33 crewmembers and their sacrifice.
Thank you. It matters. Remembering and writing their names is profoundly important.
As an American Airlines FA-I’ll tell you for all that AA falters with?
They succeed in acknowledging and focusing on remembering this day and all of the aviation crew members who lost their lives that day…….that they get right. Our internal emails, memorials and stories of remembrance started over a month ago and build towards today.
Thanks CF. I bet the families and friends of these victims will feel gratitude that you and your community of readers also commit to reporting and acknowledging the crew members memory and their part of 9/11 history.
Kind regards,
Dana S
DFW
American Airlines
AA also had probably the greatest commercial ever with their “Proud to bear the name American” TV commercial shortly after 9/11. They nailed it. It still gives me goosebumps when I watch it 23 years later.
Chris, you are absolutely correct. I agree. That commercial hit the right note and tone and keeping the focus on the victims and the event.
I rewatch United 93 on 9/11. It does the job on profiling how that day went down in real time.
Many of the actors are real life ATC, FAA, flight attendants & flight ops employees.
Thank you Dana. As a frequent basher of your employer (but never its employees), I am very happy to know what a great job they do in remembering this tragedy. Thank you again for sharing that.
Thanks Bill. Obliged to you. Keep up the steady and watchful reporting.
I always try to remember I can only do my part as best and diligent as I can out on the line.
However, observing and watching my company…… it’s corporate leadership and other departments- often it’s hard not to bash. ? Bring the popcorn
Thanks, 23 years ago. Like it was just yesterday, and we all have a memory we’ll never forget.
Thank you, CF. Your post is important. I read every name, slowly, every year. Never forget.
Thank you Brett.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 23 years since that horrible day.
Your annual tribute to those that lost their lives that day is important and appreciated.
A worthy tribute, thank you Brett.
I would urge anybody who hasn’t been to the Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania to visit. It’s one of the most moving memorials I’ve ever visited, it’s exceptionally well done and it’s only about 15-20 minutes off the Somerset exit of the PA turnpike.
Having lived within sight of the Capitol dome since 1999 and seeing it multiple times a day, I still can’t even begin to comprehend how different my life might be now if flight 93 left on time. How different America might be but for those 25 minutes of seemingly routine traffic delay.
https://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/flni/learn/historyculture/flight93story.htm#:~:text=This%20was%20the%20first%20time,to%20typically%20heavy%20morning%20traffic.
LET’S ROLL!!!
Everyone who reads the blog should go watch United 93, it’s currently streaming on Peacock. I watch it on this day every year. I still cry every time. You should too.
Agreed.
Valid suggestion. We make annual viewing on 9/11 in our household.
Cranky, any reason you deleted my post?
I mean if we don’t recognize who did 9/11 (radical Islamist terorrists) and refuse to do anything to stop them, are we really honoring the crew and the innocents on the ground?
Or are we allowing their sacrifices to be made in vain?
Yes, I deleted your post because it had nothing to do with 9/11. You decided to make it a political statement against one of the candidates for president while also touching on hot button issues like immigration. There is no place for that in a memorial for people who died that everyone wants to honor regardless of political affiliation.
Um, I guess because I was referencing a politician, it is inherently political. But really something like this should be not political, right? It’s just common sense. “If you hate America, please stay far away from here”. If you have issues with certain components of America and want to improve America in a positive fashion, then you are welcome to do so. We believe in free speech. We just don’t believe in national suicide. :)
I really enjoy your blog and don’t want to get sidetracked or turn it into something like the other clickbait blogs, so I get your cracking down now. I just didn’t think it was political to state that is shocking that we have our own supporters of this kind of terror nowadays.
On 9/11 I was on a tour bus in Northern Italy. On that bus there was a Russian immigrant couple from Brooklyn NY. There were people from Boston, New York, PA, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco and a Continental flight attendant from Houston. We had no idea what was happening on the other side of the world. About mid day in Italy, our tour director asked to see where people from those locations were sitting and went to speak to each group before announcing it to the bus. Our tour ended in London a week later where stranded Americans were still wandering around looking for a way home. It was one of those experiences I will never forget. Nor will I forget the shell shocked looks of the airline crews who went to work to get us back to PDX.
Thanks for printing the names and positions of the crews on the seized flights. And for listing the names in alpha order, rather than in job ranking order.
However, I was wondering why AA/77 had so many fewer crew members working that day.than the other flights? That flight had 6 crew members and AA/11 had 11 in crew.
Does anyone know why?
Gamma – AA 11 and UA 175 were both operated by larger 767 aircraft while AA 77 and UA 93 were on 757s. AA 77 had one less flight attendant than UA 93, apparently.