How many knew about the black pilot who crashed his plane in Shanksville, PA Sept 11, 2001?
Maybe not his name or history, but just knew that the pilot was an educated black man who was married and a father. The short bio below will bring us all up to date as to who he was. We should all know and care!
LeRoy Homer, Jr.
In September, America marked the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. A tragedy that seems as if it only happened a short while ago. One thing that some people might observe and question is what the impact of 9/11 was on African Americans who bravely gave their lives for our country. The majority of 9/11 media focus has been on white families and white children.
Leroy Wilton Homer Jr. Was an African-American first officer operating the flight that tragically fell in an act of terrorism in Shanksville, PA on Sept. 11, 2001. Pilot Homer's plane was the 4th attacked that day.
The Long Island, New York native dreamed of flying as a child. He was only 15 years old when he started flight instruction in a Cessna 152. By the time he was 18, Homer had obtained his private pilot's license. That same year, he joined the Air Force and became a second lieutenant. He served in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield and later supported efforts in Somalia . During his tenure, Homer was named the 21st Air Force Air Crew Instructor of the Year. Homer achieved the rank of captain before his honorable discharge from active duty in 1995.
For his actions on board Flight 93, Homer received many posthumous awards and citations, including honorary membership in the historic Tuskegee Airmen, the Congress Of Racial Equality's (CORE) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, the SCLC Drum Major for Justice Award and the Westchester County Trailblazer Award.
Ironically, Homer was depicted by a white actor in the film, United 93, the drama that told the story of the passengers and crew, their families on the ground and the flight controllers on the day of the attacks.
Homer is survived by his wife, Melodie, and daughter, Laurel.
Time magazine last week published Beyond 9/11: Portraits of Resilience, a photo-rich commemorative edition dedicated to 9/11's 10th anniversary. No identifiable African Americans are pictured in its 64 pages.
America just does not get it. There are two kinds of sins: sins of omission and sins of permission. Let's acknowledge and honor LeRoy Homer, Jr. For outstanding accomplishments and heroic deeds. Let's not permit society to ignore this fallen hero. Please share this message with your family and friends.
(Français ci-dessous / French below)
Hello CBTU members and allies,
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) – Canada is reaching out because we know you share our commitment to justice, equity, and historical truth.
On March 25, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans a crime against humanity. 123 voted in favour and 3 against. Canada abstained and has declined to issue an apology despite repeated House of Commons Petitions.
That abstention was a choice and it sent a message to the 1.5 million Black Canadians who live with the consequences of that history every day.In recognition of Emancipation Day on August 1st, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)-Canada has launched a national campaign calling on the federal government to formally apologize for Canada's role in the trafficking and enslavement of Africans.
Here is how you can help right now:
1- Email your MP using our template
2- Share this campaign with your networks and members
The UN has declared this the Second Decade of People of African Descent. Canada must not sit on the sidelines of history—again.
In solidarity,
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists - Canada
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Bonjour, membres et alliés de la CBTU.
La section canadienne de la Coalition des syndicalistes noirs (CBTU-Canada) vous demande de l’aider parce qu’elle sait que vous partagez son engagement à l’égard de la justice, de l’équité et de la vérité historique.
Le 25 mars 2026, l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies a adopté une résolution déclarant que la traite des Africaines et Africains réduits en esclavage est un crime contre l’humanité. 123 pays ont voté en faveur et 3 ont voté contre. Le Canada s’est abstenu et a refusé de publier des excuses malgré les pétitions présentées à la Chambre des communes à maintes reprises à cette fin.
L’abstention du Canada était délibérée et transmettait un message aux 1,5 million de Canadiennes et Canadiens noirs vivant au quotidien avec les conséquences de cette page d’histoire.
Pour marquer le Jour de l’émancipation le 1er août, CBTU-Canada a lancé une campagne nationale incitant le gouvernement fédéral à présenter des excuses officielles au sujet du rôle qu’a joué le Canada dans la traite et la réduction en esclavage d'Africaines et d’Africains.
Voici ce que vous pouvez faire dès maintenant pour l’aider :
1- Envoyez un courriel à votre députée ou député fédéral à l’aide de notre modèle :
2- Faites connaître cette campagne à vos réseaux et membres
L’ONU proclame la deuxième Décennie internationale des personnes d’ascendance africaine. Le Canada ne doit pas rester sur la touche de l’histoire—encore une fois.
En toute solidarité,
La section canadienne de la Coalition des syndicalistes noirs (CBTU-Canada)
