Never Forget
September 10, 2020 — Dear Flight Attendants,
Aviation security is personal to us. No matter the uniform we wear, the routes we fly, or the years we have worn our wings we will always remember the events of September 11th, lift up heroes and do everything in our power to ensure the events are never repeated.
Everything changed on September 11th, 2001. We are not only first responders to emergencies affecting the health and safety of our passengers and other crewmembers, we are also our nation’s last line of defense in aviation security.
This day highlights tremendous bravery of Flight Attendants. Our heroes on those four fateful flights acted as first responders. They relayed the first intelligence of the day that alerted our nation and our fellow crewmembers on Flight 93 who in turn acted without reservation against evil, sacrificing their own lives to protect our country and the lives of countless others.
The incredible pain of mourning for our dear friends also inspired new acts of heroism as our profession changed forever. In our Flight Attendant union we found comfort in one another and the courage to get back on airplanes to usher passengers and fellow crewmembers home to their loved ones.
Across the industry, we are united in honoring our heroes. Our union encourages Flight Attendants around the globe to wear your AFA September 11th pin or a black ribbon under your traditional AFA pin during the month of September. Join us for a moment of silence and quiet reflection at 8:46 AM Eastern Time on Friday, September 11th.
Our fifth annual AFA Honor Guard is attending services at our nation’s three national memorials to ensure the public remembers the sacrifice of Flight Attendants. Any member who volunteers time on our Never Forget initiatives throughout the year may be eligible to serve in future Honor Guards.
September 11th Memorial New York
Kacy Lunceford, United Council 27 Boston
Michael Desrosiers, United Council 6 Newark
National Flight 93 Memorial Shanksville
Eileen Lovell, United Council 6 Newark
Cher Taylor, Frontier Council 87 Orlando
National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
Charles “Cole” De Vault, Spirit Council 37 Orlando
Ben Keller, PSA Council 75 Charlotte
Never Forget that it is our unity, our compassion for one another and our resolve to protect all of the freedoms of individual expression that make us strong. We will never forget our heroes and we will always seek to honor their sacrifice with our actions – not only through our work for safer skies, but in the way we contribute to each of our communities at home and those that we visit around the world.
Twenty-five Flight Attendants, eight pilots and three Customer Service Agents died on September 11th. Today, and every day, we honor their memory. We will never forget:
United Flight 175
Robert J. Fangman
Amy N. Jarret
Amy R. King
Kathryn LaBorie
Alfred G. Marchand
Michael C. Tarrou
Alicia N. Titus
Captain: Victor Saracini
First Officer: Michael Horrocks
Customer Service Representatives:
Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez
United Flight 93
Lorraine G. Bay
Sandra Bradshaw
Wanda A. Green
CeeCee Lyles
Deborah Welsh
Captain: Jason Dahl
First Officer: Leroy Homer
American Flight 11
Barbara Arestegui
Jeffrey Collman
Sara Low
Karen Martin
Kathleen Nicosia
Betty Ong
Jean Roger
Madeline Sweeney
Dianne Snyder
Captain: John Ogonowski
First Officer: Thomas McGuinness
Customer Service Representative: Renee Newell
American Flight 77
Michele Heidenberger
Jennifer Lewis
Kenneth Lewis
Renee May
Captain: Charles Burlingame
First Officer: David Charlebois
In Solidarity,
Sara Nelson, President
Debora Sutor, Vice President
Kevin Creighan, Secretary-Treasurer
