Never Forget: Hundreds Gather for ALPA 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, ALPA’s annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony gathered ALPA pilots and staff, flight attendants, and community members to honor the crewmembers of American Flight 11, American Flight 77, United Flight 93, and United Flight 175. Nearly 500 stood together in the union’s Remembrance Garden in McLean, Va., on this 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
“Our tradition here in ALPA’s Remembrance Garden—and in so many hallowed sites across our nation—allows us to honor the lives lost and the sacrifices made to help others and pass this moment on from generation to generation,” said ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi. “By coming together to remember the pain inflicted by these attacks, we reinforce our resolve to prevent anything like it from ever happening again and rededicate ourselves to never forgetting.”
Capt. Anne Worster, United ALPA Master Executive Council chair, and Capt. Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president, also spoke to the audience, which included hundreds of ALPA Air Safety Organization leaders and volunteers who boarded 10 early morning buses from Washington, D.C., where they are gathered this week for the Association’s Air Safety Forum.
“This ceremony is a testament to the enduring spirit of our profession and the strength of our union. We come together not just to mourn, but to reaffirm our commitment to never forget the sacrifices made by our colleagues, friends, and families,” Worster remarked.
Perry noted the first responders, military personnel, and everyday citizens who responded in the aftermath of the attack, including many in Canada who supported grounded passengers. He highlighted the continuing sacrifices born that day, stating, “As we pay our respects to those who fell, we also recognize the sacrifices made by the heroes and family members left behind. We admire their bravery as they live each day of their lives in the new world that was left behind for us all.”
As the names of the crewmembers and other employees on board the four 9/11 flights were read, ALPA first vice president and national safety coordinator Capt. Wendy Morse tolled a bell for each. Capt. Sean Creed, vice president–administration/secretary, and Capt. Wes Clapper, vice president–finance/treasurer, together placed a wreath in their collective honor.
Ambrosi remarked that, like many in attendance, he remembered the attacks 23 years ago “like it was yesterday,” but reminded attendees of why we must never forget. “As we welcome new generations into our ranks, it becomes more and more important that we embrace those moments to remind ourselves and those who didn’t experience it just how important our commitment to aviation safety and security is to restore our industry,” he said.
“As we remember the past, we also look to the future,” Worster concluded. “The legacy of 9/11 is not one of fear, but of perseverance and unity. It is our duty to carry forward the lessons learned and to honor the memory of those we lost.” The hundreds of ALPA pilot leaders, staff, and colleagues, who paused their work to attend the ceremony, standing somberly shoulder to shoulder, provided a visual testament of one of the many ways ALPA continues to honor that legacy.
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As the 20th anniversary of the attacks that forever changed our industry approached in 2021, many ALPA Master Executive Councils shared their memories of the day and the immediate and long-term effects on their lives, our industry, and their companies.
Not Just Today, but Every Day
United ALPA Master Executive Council
A Perfect Day for Flying
Delta Air Lines ALPA Master Executive Council
What We Do Best
Endeavor ALPA Master Executive Council
20 Years of Accepting the Risks
Envoy ALPA Master Executive Council
Stunned: A Personal Memory
By Capt. Bruce Freedman (ret.), former Chair, on behalf of the Piedmont ALPA Master Executive Council
Still Recovering from the Setbacks
Sun Country ALPA Master Executive Council
Carrying on the Legacy
Western Global ALPA Master Executive Council
For the 10th anniversary, ALPA pilots shared their firsthand accounts of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Another decade later, these stories are still a timeless tribute to a day we will Never Forget.
ATC Asked Me to ID the Incommunicable Plane
Captain Bruce Hoppe, Delta
The Call, the Vision, the Feelings
Captain Mark Seal, United
Close-Knit Family
First Officer Nina Johnston, Jazz
Constant Reminders
First Officer Linden Hillman, AirTran
Divert in the Interest of National Security
Captain Wesley Monge, Atlantic Southeast
The Last on Earth to Know
First Officer Rick Hayden, United
Launching Critical Incident Response on the Ground in NYC
Captain Chris Hayes, Delta
On Duty in the Pentagon
Captain Adam C. Wright, ExpressJet
Quick Thinking, Fear, and Quiet While Stranded in NYC
First Officer Troy Holladay, Continental
Survivor Tree
Capt. William Glen Lykins, Continental
We carry on the legacy of our lost aviation family members in an industry that has become the safest mode of transportation in the world.
ALPA Contributes $200,000 to Organizations Honoring 9/11 Pilots
The non-profit organizations honor the legacy of the four ALPA pilots who were among those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Continuing the Legacy of 9/11, 20 Years and Beyond
With each passing year, we continue our promise to carry on the legacy of those we lost 20 years ago through efforts to advance security, memorial funds, remembrance events, and more.
Four Pilot Lights
Remembering the four ALPA members lost.
Kalitta Air’s Role in 9/11 Recovery
The airline proudly and bravely flew critical supplies and experts to the attack sites on September 12.
When We Flew Again
ALPA pilots recount their thoughts and fears from flying the line the first days after 9/11.
9/11 Scholarships: Producing New, Passionate Pilots
Family and friends of the two United Flight 93 pilots established scholarships to support those who wanted to join the profession, and they're already bearing fruit.
As the 20th anniversary of the attacks that forever changed our industry approached in 2021, many ALPA Master Executive Councils shared their memories of the day and the immediate and long-term effects on their lives, our industry, and their companies.
Not Just Today, but Every Day
United ALPA Master Executive Council
A Perfect Day for Flying
Delta Air Lines ALPA Master Executive Council
What We Do Best
Endeavor ALPA Master Executive Council
20 Years of Accepting the Risks
Envoy ALPA Master Executive Council
Stunned: A Personal Memory
By Capt. Bruce Freedman (ret.), former Chair, on behalf of the Piedmont ALPA Master Executive Council
Still Recovering from the Setbacks
Sun Country ALPA Master Executive Council
Carrying on the Legacy
Western Global ALPA Master Executive Council
For the 10th anniversary, ALPA pilots shared their firsthand accounts of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Another decade later, these stories are still a timeless tribute to a day we will Never Forget.
ATC Asked Me to ID the Incommunicable Plane
Captain Bruce Hoppe, Delta
The Call, the Vision, the Feelings
Captain Mark Seal, United
Close-Knit Family
First Officer Nina Johnston, Jazz
Constant Reminders
First Officer Linden Hillman, AirTran
Divert in the Interest of National Security
Captain Wesley Monge, Atlantic Southeast
The Last on Earth to Know
First Officer Rick Hayden, United
Launching Critical Incident Response on the Ground in NYC
Captain Chris Hayes, Delta
On Duty in the Pentagon
Captain Adam C. Wright, ExpressJet
Quick Thinking, Fear, and Quiet While Stranded in NYC
First Officer Troy Holladay, Continental
Survivor Tree
Capt. William Glen Lykins, Continental
We carry on the legacy of our lost aviation family members in an industry that has become the safest mode of transportation in the world.
ALPA Contributes $200,000 to Organizations Honoring 9/11 Pilots
The non-profit organizations honor the legacy of the four ALPA pilots who were among those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Continuing the Legacy of 9/11, 20 Years and Beyond
With each passing year, we continue our promise to carry on the legacy of those we lost 20 years ago through efforts to advance security, memorial funds, remembrance events, and more.
Four Pilot Lights
Remembering the four ALPA members lost.
Kalitta Air’s Role in 9/11 Recovery
The airline proudly and bravely flew critical supplies and experts to the attack sites on September 12.
When We Flew Again
ALPA pilots recount their thoughts and fears from flying the line the first days after 9/11.
9/11 Scholarships: Producing New, Passionate Pilots
Family and friends of the two United Flight 93 pilots established scholarships to support those who wanted to join the profession, and they're already bearing fruit.