AFA-CWA Council 12 | United Airlines Los Angeles

Sep 7, 2010

9/11 Long Beach Memorial

Fallen 9/11 Flight Attendants remembered in Long Beach ceremony

[09.11.09] -- On the 8th anniversary of September 11, 2001, United Flight Attendants joined the Long Beach 9/11 remembrance event, "Remember 9/11 - The Ride" and were able to share the story of the 33 fallen crewmembers, who are too often forgotten.

This annual event began years ago, when Long Beach firefighter Gary Biggerstaff placed 343 white crosses in his lawn to represent the firefighters lost on 9/11. A motorcycle pilgrimage from Orange County to Long Beach (the 2008 participation count was approximately 500 motorcycles) then ends in a ceremony remembering the fallen First Responders of 9/11.

In August, Long Beach firefighter Gary Biggerstaff, organizer of the event, reached out to AFA Los Angeles Local President Darren Shiroma. Gary provided us with the opportunity to share our perspective, and remember the fallen Flight Attendants and Pilots we lost 8 years ago today. Hundreds from around the community of Long Beach and dozens of police and firefighters were able to listen to our story. LAX Council 12 member Liz Nash debuted her rendition of "Stand By Me," which she performed live, and dedicated to the United Flight Attendants lost on 9/11.

Many members of the community did not understand why we (as Flight Attendants) were there, and we were able to share the following speech (below) with them. Each opportunity we have to remember and honor our fallen Flight Attendant heroes provides us a chance to remind the public about the sacrifices they gave, and the work that Flight Attendants continue to do.

Speech delivered at the 9/11 Long Beach Remembrance by LAX Council 12 President Darren Shiroma

Good evening fellow Americans, fellow First Responders & Long Beach residents. My name is Darren Shiroma, and I am a 14-year Flight Attendant, and the president of the Association of Flight Attendants for United Airlines at LAX. I stand here today representing our union, the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents the 1,500 Flight Attendants for United at LAX, and the tens of thousands of Flight Attendants who share our profession around the world.

While each and every story of loss related to 9/11 commands respect and a dignified remembrance, we hope to share with all of you a piece of 9/11 that is often overlooked.

I�d like to first thank Captain Rich Brandt, president of the Long Beach Firefighter�s union, and Gary Biggerstaff, Long Beach Firefighter and organizer of this event for reaching out to us, and recognizing the 33 crewmembers lost in the line of duty on 9/11.

Last year, the City of Redondo Beach invited me to speak on behalf of the aviation community and the 33 fallen crewmembers of 9/11. While we were there, just as we do tonight � we shared in the stories � and the subsequent struggles and triumphs, and bonded over mutual loss. Those present were able to hear the first-hand account of FDNY Firefighter Bobby Senn, who survived the collapse of both World Trade Center towers. It was a story like no other; the first-hand story of a First Responder that was seared into the minds of everyone in attendance. We heard the story of American Airlines Flight 77�s Captain Charles �Chic� Burlingame from his own brother Brad Burlingame, and we recalled our own stories of where we were, what we felt, and took pause over the loss of innocence.

We give thanks for the opportunity to join other First Responders this evening in honoring the line of duty Pilots and Flight Attendants who were among the first casualties of September 11, 2001. The heroism and valor of the 33 crewmembers lost on 9/11 are often overlooked, so we�re grateful that our fallen colleagues have been incorporated into this memorial event today.

Today marks 8 years from the day we lost 8 pilots and 25 Flight Attendants -- we remember the uniformed crewmembers who were on duty aboard the following flights:

� American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles, lost at the North World Trade Center Tower

� United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston to Los Angeles, lost at the South World Trade Center Tower

� American Airlines Flight 77 from Washington, Dulles Airport to Los Angeles, lost at the Pentagon

� United Airlines Flight 93 from Newark, NJ to San Francisco, lost in the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania

Our roles as Flight Attendants received heightened prominence after the 9/11 attacks. Several cabin crewmembers, including Sandra Bradshaw & CeeCee Lyles from United Flight 93, Amy Sweeney & Betty Ong from American Flight 11, provided vital information to ATC and airline ground staff on the hijackings. On every one of the 9/11 flights, Flight Attendants continued their work to the very end. In the aftermath, Flight Attendants were given heightened responsibilities for the safety & security of our workplace.

The cabin crews out there have endured much, nevertheless, they continue to stand strong, protect their fellow crewmembers, passengers and aircraft. Flight Attendants remain the front-line First Responders in the sky, and in the days and years since 9/11, they continue to report for work � taking fellow Americans and the traveling public safely in their journeys around the world. They hide the uncertainty and unknown behind the warmest of smiles and bring serenity in their confident onboard presence.

Post 9/11, Pilots have continued to perform impeccably to inflight emergencies, have taken on additional safety and defense training in support of defending the aircraft controls. Flight Attendants have also taken on new roles in protecting the integrity of the cockpit, and place themselves between the passenger cabin and cockpit door on every single flight. All the while, Flight Attendants still tackle onboard safety, medical or security incidents with calm vigilance and assured tenacity. Flight Attendants are recertified each year on defibrillator, First Aid, CPR, emergency, security, and evacuation procedures � all in support of our First Responder roles in the sky.

Cathie Ong-Herrera, sister of Betty Ann Ong, who was a Flight Attendant aboard AA 11 told me that: "her sister Betty used to say that her colleagues were like her second family away from home." US Airways Captain Tom Heidenberger, who lost his wife Michele, a Flight Attendant aboard AA77 said: �the family-driven spirit within the industry has given him hope and kept his spirits afloat� and that he �could not have made it without the support from fellow crewmembers.�

Throughout the years since 9/11, the same recurring sentiments have been expressed about Flight Attendants, and our industry � the constant theme of �Family.� It remains one of the reasons why we are still affected by the loss of our colleagues from September 11, 2001, because we lost members of our work group; our community; our Flight Attendant family.

Today, we are stronger in our resolve, we see with more clarity and abounding colors, friends are now an extension of family, a smile is a celebration of life, a simple meal transforms into a feast, and jumpseat conversations and camaraderie take on deeper meaning. We in the aviation community are woven into the fabric of our communities, and we encourage you to extend your thanks to our Flight Attendant colleagues the next time you step aboard any airplane. For the First Responders here today; speak to them as if they were one of your own family; as a fellow First Responder. Let them know you recognize their work, their qualifications and certifications, and their commitment to our industry and safe travel.

Along with all flight crewmembers in aviation history lost in the line of duty, we continue to step aboard the aircraft as a standing tribute - and in their memory. We hold them in our hearts, and look to their protection as we go about doing what we do best. We will never let their loss from our ranks be in vain, and we will continue to stand tall and sustain vigilance over our profession.

To all of you today who�ve taken time to share in this memorial and ceremony, please take this same message I�ve shared with you and bring it to your own place of work, and perpetuate it within your communities � the message of family. �Family� means no one is ever taken for granted or overlooked, and no one ever gets left behind�may God continue to watch over us one and all. Thank you again for allowing us to share the memory of our fallen colleagues today, please remember our story, their legacy, and never forget the 33 crewmembers who lost their lives on 9/11�

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