Of Tulips and Eagles - remembering those lost on 9/11/2001

Dear Readers -

A few years back, this blog was hacked and I lost all the posts prior to 2013.  By accident, I found that those posts had been hijacked by a Russian blogger.  I am working on recovering them and will try to get them back up for those who have never read them.  

Below is something I posted on September 9, 2012, just before my trip on September 11 of that year.  I hope you enjoy reading this again.  I would like to extend my challenge to Mr. Munoz, Mr. Kirby, the United Continental Board of Directors, and all other decision makers at the airline to do something long lasting and truly meaningful to honor the United professionals that were killed on September 11, 2001 - put the tulip back on 20 planes, just 20, it won't hurt.   Under the tulip, put the name of one of the lost.  

We are told to never forget.  Mr. Munoz and Mr. Kirby, step up and just do this one small thing.  Those lost on 9/11 are part of the legacy that is United Airlines, let the employees know that they are not to be forgotten.

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Original Post from September 9, 2012 -

Tomorrow marks the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks that brought down 4 planes and killed thousands of people.  We all have our own memories of that day, and it is important that we never forget.  We can mourn, but it is also important that we do something to bring honor to that day, and to those lights that were extinguished in an act of evil that we can never let happen again.

You all know that I have my own unique tradition where I board a United Airlines flight and travel to New York and back on the same day.  I hand out cards and wrist bands as a way of saying thank you to United's front-line employees who show up every day and hold to their commitment to get us customers to our destinations comfortably and safely.  Employees at United and American feel an added loss as it was their planes that were used, and their friends that went down with them.

Why bring up Tulips and Eagles?  These represent the brands that are United and American Airlines.  Back on 9/11/2011, all of United's planes were marked with the distinctive double "U" slanted shield that came together to look like a tulip.  On American's planes, the double AA painted on the tail is protected by a bald eagle, the national bird for the United States of America.  The employees that were lost on that day were also wearing either a Tulip or Eagle on their uniform.

Combined there were 17 crew members on American Flights 11 and 77 that were lost.  On United flights 93 and 175, there was a total of 18 crew members (including 2 customer service employees traveling on that day) lost. Those souls were proud to wear the Tulip and Eagle symbols as they showed up to do their job on that fateful day.

For those of you that fly American Airlines, you will still see the Eagle being proudly displayed.  When you look at it, remember what it means.  It is a symbol for our country.  It represents strength and protection.  The employees of American Airlines wear their Eagles with honor.

Sadly, management at United Airlines has decided to take down the Tulip.  It may seem silly, but flying United Airlines today without the Tulip does not carry the same prestige.  This little flower represented so much of what was United Airlines.  Tomorrow, I will wear as much of my United Tulip bling I can find.  This is my way of honoring those United crew members who died 11 years ago.  

To the employees at United, pull out and wear as many Tulips as you can find.       For the sCO employees, those crew members that were lost are part of the heritage of this great airline.  They were your co-workers.  Honor them and find some way to wear a Tulip.

Tomorrow, Mr. Smisek will receive an arrangement of 20 white tulips.  Eighteen representing the crew members lost, and 2 representing the planes.  I would challenge him to put the Tulip back on at least 20 of the planes in the current fleet as a way to remember and honor the losses from 11 years ago.  Its just a little flower, but it is hardy and full of color and it carries so much meaning for those on the front lines at United Airlines.  Perhaps the new 787's  being rolled out would be the perfect place to do so.  

However you all remember the day tomorrow, just make it a safe day.  Do a good deed, say a prayer for those lost, attend a memorial, talk to your kids about what the day means.  It was a day where our freedoms were under attack, but we came together as a nation to make sure that we protect, honor and respect those freedoms.