Union Honors Flight Attendant Heroes And First Responders
We all know that airplanes were the weapon that was used in the
September 11th attacks on the United States, and that the aircrews
suffered the same fate as everyone on those four aircraft.
Following the announcement Sunday of the death of Osama bin Laden,
the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), representing Flight
Attendants at United Airlines and 20 other carriers, issued the
following statement in unity from the union's International
Officers President Veda Shook (pictured), Vice President Sara
Nelson and Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Creighan.
"Ten years after September 11th emotions still run deep. We are
grateful to our President and all of the women and men who are
responsible for bringing this sense of justice for our friends and
heroes who were the first to give their lives in defense of our
country that day.
"September 11th showcased the tremendous bravery of Flight
Attendants. Our heroes on those four fateful flights acted as first
responders. They relayed the first intelligence of the day that
served to alert our country and our fellow crewmembers on flight 93
who in turn acted without reservation against evil, sacrificing
their own lives to protect our country and lives of countless
others.
"The incredible pain of mourning for our dear friends also
inspired new actions of heroism as our profession changed forever.
In our Flight Attendant union we found comfort in one another and
the courage to get back on airplanes to usher passengers and fellow
crewmembers home to their loved ones.
"Every day since September 11th, Flight Attendants go to work
with an even greater sense of responsibility. We know that not only
are we first responders to emergencies affecting the health and
safety of our passengers and other crewmembers, we are also our
nation's last line of defense in aviation security.
"We have escorted hundreds of thousands of American soldiers on
their way to fight for our country – and it is painful to
know that we have not been able to bring all of them home again.
Those who have returned home with us from war are our most precious
passengers and we owe them and their families our undying support
and love.
"The hateful coward is dead. It is not his death that we
celebrate; it is our unity, our compassion for one another and our
resolve to protect all of the freedoms of individual expression
that make us strong. We will never forget our heroes and we will
always seek to honor their sacrifice with our actions – not
only through our work for safer skies, but in the way we contribute
to each of our communities at home and those that we visit around
the world.
"Twenty-five Flight Attendants died on September 11th. Today,
and every day, we honor their memory."