A 9/11 Tribute To An American Hero

 

A True American Hero and 9/11 Patriot is Captain LeRoy Homer,

the pilot of UA-93. On September 11, 2001, CAPT Homer was flying with Captain

Jason Dahl on United Flight 93. Based on information from several

sources that day, we know LeRoy and Jason were the first to fight

against the terrorist threat to the airplane.

Like Crispus Attucks, the first person shot dead by British redcoats during the Boston Massacre,

in the Revolutionary War, CAPT Homer was among the first Americans to

fight against jihad and Al Qaeda on 9/11/2001. They are both American

heroes. They were American first, and “Black” second.

CAPT Homer has received many

awards and citations posthumously, for his actions on Flight 93,

including the Congress Of Racial Equality – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Award, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference – Drum Major for

Justice Award and the Westchester County Trailblazer Award.

Not much has been said in the mainstream media about LeRoy W. Homer Jr..

At

an early age, LeRoy W. Homer Jr knew that he wanted to be a pilot. As a

child, LeRoy assembled model airplanes, collected aviation memorabilia

and read books on aviation. LeRoy was 15 years old when he started

flight instruction in the Cessna 152. Working part-time jobs after

school to pay for flying lessons, he completed his first solo at 16

years old, and obtained his private pilot’s certificate in 1983.

In the fall of 1983, LeRoy entered the Air Force Academy, and graduated with the Class of 1987,

31st Squadron. After completing pilot training in 1988, he was assigned

to McGuire AFB in New Jersey, flying the C-141B Starlifter. While on

active duty, LeRoy served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and later

supported operations in Somalia. He received many commendations, awards

and medals during his military career. In 1993, he was named the 21st

Air Force Aircrew Instructor of the Year. LeRoy achieved the rank of

Captain before his honorable discharge from active duty in 1995.

LeRoy

continued his military career as a reservist, initially as an

instructor pilot with the 356th Airlift Squadron at Wright Patterson

AFB, Ohio, then subsequently as an Academy Liaison Officer, recruiting

potential candidates for both the Air Force Academy and the Air Force

Reserve Officer Training Corps. During his time with the Reserves, he

achieved the rank of Major.

LeRoy continued his flying career by joining United Airlines in May 1995.

His first assignment was Second Officer on the B727. He then upgraded

to First Officer on the B757/767 in 1996, where he remained until

September 11, 2001.

September 11, 2001, was a

defining moment in American history. On that terrible day, our Nation

saw the face of evil as 19 men barbarously attacked us and wantonly

murdered people of many races, nationalities, and creeds. On Patriot

Day, we remember the innocent victims, and we pay tribute to the valiant

firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel, and ordinary

citizens who risked their lives so others might live.

After the

attacks on 9/11, America resolved that we would go on the offense

against our enemies, and we would not distinguish between the terrorists

and those who harbor and support them. All Americans honor the selfless

men and women of our Armed Forces, the dedicated members of our public

safety, law enforcement, and intelligence communities, and the thousands

of others who work hard each day to protect our country, secure our

liberty, and prevent future attacks.

The spirit of our people is the source of America’s strength, and 6 years ago, Americans came to the aid of neighbors in need. On Patriot Day, we pray for those who died and for their families. We

volunteer to help others and demonstrate the continuing compassion of

our citizens. On this solemn occasion, we rededicate ourselves to laying

the foundation of peace with confidence in our mission and our free way

of life.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001

(Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each

year as “Patriot Day.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2007, as Patriot Day.

I call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of

Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of

government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot

Day. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe Patriot

Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance services,

to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day, and to

observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time

to honor the innocent Americans and people from around the world who

lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11,

2001.

While

the loss of life on 9/11 and subsequent heartache was tremendous, we

can be thankful that these misguided individuals were unsuccessful. They

brought down the World Trade Center, but not the White House. Captain

LeRoy Homer would rather die than fly his UA-93 jumbo jet into the White

House. It is because of Captain LeRoy Homer and others that the White

House is still standing today. There is no “Ground Zero” in Washington,

DC because of Captain LeRoy Homer.