25 years ago 9/11

Honoring Our Fallen. Remembering Their Courage. Carrying Their Legacy Forward.

“Their legacy lives every time we put on our wings, care for one another, and commit ourselves to the safety of those entrusted to us.”

A DAY THAT CHANGED AVIATION FOREVER

Twenty-five years ago tomorrow, on September 11, 2001, countless families and communities were changed forever, as well as our nation and our industry . Twenty-five years later, we pause as one aviation family to remember the lives that were lost, honor the courage of our fallen colleagues, and reaffirm a promise that has endured for a quarter century.

That morning, 25 Flight Attendants aboard American Airlines Flights 11 and 77 and United Airlines Flights 175 and 93 faced unimaginable circumstances with extraordinary courage. They were Flight Attendants, just like us. They reported for work, put on their wings, welcomed their passengers, and took on the same responsibility we carry every time we step onboard an aircraft. They were professionals, caregivers, safety advocates, and Aviation’s First Responders. In the face of unimaginable circumstances, they demonstrated extraordinary courage and an unwavering commitment to the people entrusted to their care. Their professionalism, courage, and sacrifice exemplify the highest ideals of our profession.

We also remember the eight pilots and three Customer Service Agents who lost their lives that day. Their names are part of our history. Their stories are part of the history of our industry. And their legacy is part of who we are as Flight Attendants.

REMEMBERING IS A COMMITMENT

For Flight Attendants, Never Forget is more than a phrase we say each September 11th. It is a commitment. A commitment to remember the colleagues who never made it home. A commitment to recognize the responsibility we carry every time we step onboard an aircraft. And a commitment to never lose sight of the fact that we are Aviation’s First Responders.

September 11th changed the way our industry understood safety, security, and the role of Flight Attendants. But it did not change who we are. We are still the professionals who show up every day to care for our passengers, protect the safety and security of everyone onboard, respond when emergencies occur, and act when others may be unable to.

We do this work because it matters. And we do it knowing that our role is about much more than serving a beverage or providing customer service. We are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone entrusted to our care. That responsibility is part of the legacy our fallen colleagues left behind.

THE LEGACY WE CARRY

Our fallen colleagues showed extraordinary courage on September 11th. The best way we can honor them is not simply by remembering what happened, but by carrying forward the values they represented. We honor them in all of our safety responsibilities, we honor them when we look out for one another, we honor them when we stand together for our profession. And we honor them every time we put on our wings and step onboard ready to protect those entrusted to our care. Twenty-five years have passed, but the promise remains the same. We remember their names. We remember their courage. We remember their sacrifice. And we carry their legacy forward.

Wherever you may be tomorrow, at home, at the airport, on a trip, or alongside a fellow Flight Attendant, take a moment to remember those who never made it home. Remember the 25 Flight Attendants who went to work that morning just as we do, never knowing what the day would bring. Remember the pilots and Customer Service Agents who were lost, and the passengers and countless others whose lives were forever changed. And as we remember them, let us also recognize the privilege and responsibility of the profession we carry forward today. Every time we put on our wings, care for our passengers, look out for one another, and stand ready to respond when we are needed most, we honor those who came before us.

Twenty-five years later, we stand together. Twenty-five years later, we honor their memory. Twenty-five years later, we carry their legacy forward.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

AFA International Officer's Message

AFA-CWA Memorial Website
 

Lisa Davis Warren, Horizon Air, Master Executive Council President