9/11 Pilots
When I saw those planes hit that day I was sure of only one thing, there was no way that those pilots were still alive right before the crashes. I was certain that they would have fought to their death to try to prevent a loss of any one of the lives of their passengers. I will fly every flight of mine, remembering those eight men. Also remembering, that when their airmanship was tested, they proved what it was to be a pilot, willing to pay the ultimate price for all of those souls behind them. I am so unfortunate that I will never witness commercial aviation, the way it was before 9/11, but I am fortunate that I have witnessed how brave and honorable 8 men can be and I will strive for my entire career to become what those men were. I will never forget them.
American 11
Piloted by Captain John Ogonowski and First Officer Thomas McGuinness
United 175
Piloted by Captain Victor Saracini and First Officer Michael Horrocks
American Airlines Flight 77
Piloted by Captain Charles Burlingame and First Officer Dave Charlebois
United Airlines Flight 93
Piloted by Captain Jason M. Dahl and First Officer LeRoy Homer Jr.
"Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth.
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings,
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I've chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind swept heights with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle, flew;
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."
,Ryan Cross