Dear Lauren

Dear Lauren Grandcolas,

I decided to write a letter to you as your picture called to me immediately. After some further investigation into the passenger list of Flight 93, I understand why. You were three months pregnant. You were a mom. You summoned all your courage and helped overpower the horrible people that took your plane. I feel that you did this because of your unborn child and the millions more that would someday come. You wished for a world without the horrible people that overtook your plane. You wanted a safer world. It is my wish that you know the impact you made.

As you know Flight 93 was a flight from New Jersey to San Francisco. I’ve read you were in New York for your grandmother's funeral. Your plane departed at 8:42 am, minutes before the first plane was hijacked. At 9:23 am your captain was alerted about the attack on the World Trade Center. By 9:28 am your plane was taken over. This is where no one knows exactly what happened, but we do know that you all demonstrated great courage. I believe that in a split second you made a choice. A choice to help. At 9:57 the passengers of Flight 93 took a stand that will go down in history. The last known action was a voice heard saying “yes, put it in, and pull it down” at 10:02 am.

I am in awe of the choices you all made. Without your bravery and courage, the 9/11 attacks would have been so much more deadly. There are people who made it home that dreadful day to hug their families due to your bravery. Because of you, disaster was avoided the best it could have been.

I believe with all my heart you knew what was going to happen. You were prepared to lay down your life for the life of countless others. And because of that one simple fact, I am making a promise to you. I swear that 9/11 will never be forgotten. I promise that I will remember the sacrifices of Flight 93. And above all, I will live my life thankful every day for your sacrifice.

Sincerely, Reese