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Allied Pilots Association Leadership Participates in 9/11 Observances, Affirms Commitment to “Never Forget”

Dépèche transmise le 11 septembre 2011 par Business Wire

Allied Pilots Association Leadership Participates in 9/11 Observances, Affirms Commitment to “Never Forget”

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of participating in 9/11 memorial observances today, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) national officers affirmed APA’s commitment to “never forget” the fellow American Airlines flight crewmembers and many others who perished in the terrorist attacks on our nation 10 years ago.

“Let us always be mindful of their willingness to risk everything in our defense”

APA President Captain Dave Bates was present for ceremonies at Ground Zero in New York, APA Vice President Secretary-Treasurer First Officer Tony Chapman was at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, and APA Secretary-Treasurer First Officer Scott Shankland spoke at the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial in Grapevine, TX.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to be at Ground Zero on this occasion with surviving family members of those killed on 9/11,” Bates said. “It’s extremely moving to see firsthand how this location has been transformed from a scene of mass destruction to one of remembrance and reverence. As efforts like this memorial site and today’s ceremony illustrate, we absolutely will never forget.”

A former Army Ranger, Chapman expressed gratitude for the men and women who volunteered for military service in the aftermath of the attacks. “Let us always be mindful of their willingness to risk everything in our defense,” he said.

In his remarks, Shankland stated that, “I will always be immensely proud of how flight crews responded in the period immediately following the attacks. Thanks to the willingness of pilots and flight attendants to face the unknown, our industry persevered.”

Other APA officials and members at large also participated in additional observances across the country, including memorial services at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.; the Massachusetts State House; the “Garden of Reflection” in Bucks County, PA; the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA; and at numerous collegiate and professional sporting events throughout the weekend.

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association—the largest independent pilot union in the U.S.—is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 11,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), including more than 1,000 pilots not yet offered recall from furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation’s largest international passenger carrier and fifth-largest cargo carrier.