Homer's Lasting Legacy

After the horrible events of 9/11, Melodie Homer created a foundation, named after her late husband, in 2003 to help underrepresented youth fulfill their dreams of flying. The LeRoy Homer Jr. Foundation supports high school and college students to earn their private pilot's licenses and pursue careers in aviation. The nonprofit also provides scholarships and outreach programs aimed at getting children and young people interested in the industry.

In an interview with WHQR's CoastLine, Melodie Homer told Host Rachel Lewis Hilburn that Leroy's legacy has been "hijacked" and "overlooked."

"Capt. Jason Dahl, Leroy, the crew -- they were just glossed over in all of the coverage," she said back in September 2022. "And it came down to there were four strong men on the flight. That was kind of the narrative that went on... You can make correction, after correction, after correction, it's very difficult to change that narrative."

Hilburn and Homer also discussed the importance of people knowing Homer was a Black, biracial man, who worked hard for his achievements in an industry dominated by white men. For decades, many Americans were unaware of the accomplished pilot's race.

"People have come to you and said, 'I didn't know there was a Black pilot on Flight 93,'" Hilburn pointed out.

"For Leroy to have done what he needed to do, get his private pilot certification prior to going to the Air Force Academy... You have to get congressional nomination to even be considered for the Air Force Academy; be successful in the Air Force Academy; have a successful military career, and then make that transition to commercial aviation," Homer explained. "That's challenging, but that's how badly he wanted it."

She continued, "He's a great inspiration for a lot of African American[s], other minorities who think that's not achievable. Even women."

DJ MK