Beamer unveils 'Let’s Roll' nose art at 177th

Photo By Mark Olsen | Col. Mike Cosby, left, Commander, 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, watches as Lisa Beamer unveils the "Let's Roll" nose art decal on an F-16 Fighting Falcon depicting Todd Beamer's last words on Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001, during a ceremony at the Wing March 25, 2002. Because of the actions taken by the 40 passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 against the terrorists who had hijacked the aircraft, the attack on the U.S. Capitol was foiled. Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pa., killing all on board the aircraft. The ceremony was held at the 177th Fighter Wing, which is located at Egg Harbor Township, N.J. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen/Released) (The image was cropped to focus on the subject of the image)  

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

03.25.2002

Story by Master Sgt. Mark Olsen  

New Jersey National Guard   

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. - On March 25, 2002, at the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, Egg Harbor Township; Lisa Beamer, the widow of Todd Beamer, and Wing Commander Col. Mike Cosby unveiled the “Let’s Roll” emblem on an F-16C Fighting Falcon.

It was the first time that Lisa Beamer appeared in a public presentation with her two sons, David and Drew, and her daughter Morgan Kay who was born in January. More than 200 unit members attended the ceremony.

The nose art features Todd Beamer's words, “Let’s Roll” with the motto "Spirit of 9-11” superimposed on a sword, an American eagle and a U.S. flag. Todd Beamer along with 44 passengers and crew were killed Sept. 11, 2001, when hijacked Flight 93 crashed into Shanksville, Pa. The phrase, “Let’s Roll” were Todd Beamer’s last words before he and other passengers rushed the cockpit to thwart the terrorist’s plans.

Col. Mike Cosby began the ceremony by stating: “Todd was brave. He began the fight, and I promise to you that the Department of Defense, the 177th Fighter Wing and the men and women of the Air National Guard around the world will continue the fight that your husband began.”

“It is a great honor to have Todd’s words remembered in this way,” stated Beamer. “I know that he would be honored to have you all rally around his words.”

“Thank you for what you do every day for all the things that we, as ordinary citizens, don’t always appreciate.”
“I thought the idea of inviting Lisa Beamer would help dignify the event,” said Lt. Col. Roger Pharo, 177th Support Group Commander. “Lisa Beamer lives in New Jersey and her husband Todd’s words are used in the graphic, so we thought it would be only fitting to invite her to dedicate the nose art on a New Jersey Air National Guard F-16.”

• Date Taken: 03.25.2002
• Date Posted: 09.24.2015 11:03
• Story ID: 177071
• Location: EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY, US