My wife and I finally saw “United 93” on Sunday.
To be honest, we both had reservations about seeing the movie given the horrific events that took place on September 11, 2001. We have never forgotten what happened that day and, to be honest, weren’t all that thrilled to relive the myriad of emotions we felt.
Nonetheless, we felt it was an appropriate tribute to the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93.
Of the four hijacked planes on that fateful day, United 93 was the only flight which did not reach its destination. Despite the fact the movie was written and directed by Brit Paul Greengrass, a self-proclaimed liberal, the movie avoided any political overtures. Thankfully, there was no implied sympathy to the terrorists’ cause.
I thought the film brilliantly paid homage to the bravery of everyday citizens. Flight 93 was approximately twenty minutes away from its destination, the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., when the passengers decided to thwart the terrorists’ mission. The plane ultimately crashed into an open field in Shanksville, PA.
What made the film even more impactful was the fact we weren’t caught up in the aura of big-name Hollywood types playing key roles. In fact, the majority of people in the air traffic control centers and military command centers were portrayed by the actual individuals working there on 9/11/01.
On Memorial Day, we usually take the time to remember the American soldiers who fought and died to preserve the precious liberty we enjoy in the United States of America.
On September 11, 2001, the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 fought and died to prevent further destruction to this nation’s Capitol.
They too should be remembered admirably.