In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Embry-Riddle coordinated a series of discussions on the global impacts of that fateful day.
“Embry-Riddle alumni, faculty and staff were on the front lines on 9/11 and were leaders in responding to the hijackings,” says Bill Thompson, executive director of the Eagle Heritage Project. “Their stories of anguish, compassion, struggle, professionalism, improvisation and leadership need to be shared for current and future generations.”
Discussions demonstrated the many ways that Embry-Riddle responded as an institution. Ken Byrnes, Embry-Riddle’s head of flight training, mentioned the flight restrictions that went up and still stand today. Chris Bonner, an FBI agent who later helped develop Embry-Riddle’s Homeland Security program, forged relationships with Daytona Beach’s Muslim community. “They were hurt. Muslims died in those buildings too,” he says.
“The best intel, the best cooperation, came out of that community.” The 9/11 Research and Remembrance Project will continue to build its collection for the 25th anniversary. Find video recordings, audio interviews and written stories at commons.erau.edu/project-911