story10272.xml

story10272.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-12-22

I couldn't wait to get home to my family, of course. I have family members who were at the Pentagon and near the World Trade Center that day, and I was thankful to learn that they were unharmed. I also have relatives in Gander and Nova Scotia who helped to take care of my fellow citizens when our planes had to land in Canada that day, and I was very proud of their opening up their hearts and homes to these people. My mother, who was born and raised in Canada, would have been proud also.

I have so many memories of that day--which changed my life. I am proud of President Bush's heart and strength and courage and faith and hope--and leadership--following the attacks on his--our--country. Mayor Guiliani did an admirable job leading the people of NYC through the tragedy. The firemen and the policemen and the citizens of NYC and the Pentagon and elsewhere who gave their lives to ensure life and liberty for family members, friends, and strangers are--forevermore--my heroes. This includes Todd Beamer and Mark Bingham and Tom Burnett and Jeremy Glick and Lou Nacke and the others on flight 93 who fought evil that day and died--but won. After the September 11 tragedy, I worked in Atlantic City, NJ, with other FAA and other employees and volunteers to hire large numbers of Federal air marshals to help protect our skies--the defining and proudest moment of my career; but it was not enough. I--we--owe so much more to our brothers and sisters who perished and to those who carry on--who live to help us and protect us. "Let's roll"? You bet. We still have a lot to do. God bless us one and all as we move onward.