When highjackers took control of Flight 93 September 11th, they under estimated the courage of the Americans on board.
It is apparent that after the passengers were 'herded' to the back of the plane that they, with the help of friends and family on the ground, learned how other commercial airliners were deliberately crashed into World Trade Center and the Pentagon and knew they would face a similar fate. It is believed that their flight was headed to the U.S. Capital Building or the White House.
They took a vote to do what ever they had to do to thwart their high-jacker's attack against Americans.
Every single brave soul on that flight acted heroicly that day. Only a few received national attention. Only God knows what exactly happened when those courageous Americans banned together to protect their fellow Americans, but there was at least one woman who joined the men. Only her name appears on the CNN list of passengers on Flight 93, no mention of her age, her home town, her life or her heroics.
She did receive local front page recognition when The Times Harold Record printed her story. And that story was passed through the internet to people all over the United States and Countries throughout the world. However, she didn't receive the same national recognition as did others on her flight.
In honer of every brave soul on Flight 93, and the thousands of un-sung heroes who lost their lives or risked thier lives to save others that horrific day in September, this is:
HOW A WARWICK {N.Y.} WOMAN
HELPED THWART TERRORISTS
Sure, Osama bin Laden, you had four terrorists on Flight 93 last Tuesday, the one that crashed into a Pennsylvania field. You had big plans for that plane, didn't you. The White House, maybe? Or Air Force One?
Crash site of Flight 93
But we had Linda Gronlund on that plane. Linda Gronlund of Warwick, New York, USA. You didn't figure on her, did you? What could a woman from Orange County, New York, USA, do to bother the likes of you and your murderers?
I will tell you. She was among the passengers who hatched the plot to take back the airplane. Angry and defiant, they gathered their wits and resolved to stop you.
They were the ones who stood up to your mad men in their final hour. "Oh, no," they said. "You will not kill anymore people on the ground. You will not topple one more national monument. You will die first." And so would Linda Gronlund, along with the 44 others on that plane.
She is my hero now.
Linda Gronlund knew she was going to die. Like several others on that plane, she made a cell phone call from 35,000 feet, just moments before the plane went down. She called her younger sister, Elsa. We have been hijacked, she told her. We know about the World Trade Center. We have voted on a plan. We will thwart this enemy to prevent others from dying, even if we can't save ourselves.
Then she told her sister, her lifelong best friend, where to find all her personal papers. She knew she would have no further use for them.
Those who knew Linda Gronlund have no doubt that she was among the ringleaders on that airplane, raising her middle finger in defiance at the men wearing red headbands who were carrying knives and talking of bombs.
Linda Gronlund was the kind of person who would take no prisoners if she believed in a cause, according to her friends and co-workers at BMW in Montvale, N.J., where she worked as an attorney.
"She would have been at the forefront of any decision to take back that plane," said David Freilich of Warwick, a friend of Gronlund's and a former colleague. "I have no doubt that she sacrificed herself."
Her mother, Doris Gronlund of Sag Harbor, Long Island, is also certain her daughter's stubborn defiance helped prevent the flight from completing its mission. It is what she keeps telling herself, over and over. It is what she holds onto.
Osama bin Laden, you would never have suspected this from a woman, would you? Women in your world aren't meant for bravery. You would surely expect them to cringe in their seats as your terrorists did their deadly work.
Well, Mr. bin Laden, she had a surprise for you, didn't she? Listen. Here's the woman who helped stop your crazy men. She was a lawyer. She was also a marine chemist. She sailed and went scuba diving, and she held a brown belt in karate.
She was a race-car driver who could take a car apart and put it back together blindfolded. As one of her co-workers said, "She was the best car guy we had around here."
Yet you would have had to look past the wide smile, the sense of humor, the rosy cheeks, the Nordic blonde good looks to see the steel in her.
She had no fear. Those who knew her have never seen her back down from anything, let alone your miserable, puling, little dead terrorists.
She is my hero now.
Osama bin Laden, you should know that Linda Gronlund got on that plane with her boyfriend, Joseph DeLuca, to take a vacation. It was her birthday the next day, her 47th. They were going to tour the California vineyards. They were going to celebrate.
But when your terrorists took over in the cockpit, she knew her vacation was canceled. Soon, she realized that her birthday was canceled, too. There would be no more birthdays, ever.
But not before she and the others on that flight said, "Screw you," to your evil lunatics. Wherever you wanted that plane to end up – wherever you planned for more death and destruction on the ground – they said, over our dead bodies. We don't know how, but they stopped you. How very brave they were. How remarkable.
Don't imagine that you killed them. They died, yes, but they decided how and when. They saved American lives. They deserve the Congressional Medal of Honor. Linda Gronlund and the others on that flight deserve a statue, a black marble wall, a monument.
Osama bin Laden, when you count your enemies in America, you must remember now to count the women, too. You must remember that in America, we have more Linda Gronlunds.
The women of America will not cringe in an airline seat. We will not hide in the basement. We will not be victims.
In Linda Gronlund of Warwick, New York, USA, you have given us a role model. Do not underestimate us. Do not turn your back on us, for we will follow her lead.
We have a new hero now.
By Beth Quinn
The Times Herald-Record
September 16, 2001
Anyone who doubts that the hearts of people elsewhere in the world are with us in our fight against terrorists needs look no further than the e-mail I've received in the past two weeks.
I've heard from more than 500 people throughout America and the world in response to thr column I wrote about Linda Gronlund.
That column was e-mailed around the world. I want to share with you some of the wonderful words, in the writers' own, occasionally shaky English, that I've been reading in response to it. Because they were private e-mails, I'm using first names only.
Beth, I am Lulu, from Venezuela. I read your article on Linda. I am still crying, but wanted to say thank you and don't let this opportunity passes by without telling you, and through you, to all Northamerican people, that the rest of the thinking world is too suffering with you and backing you up, and admiring you even more.
It is terrible to think that each and every one of the how many? 5,000, 6,000? people that so unfaired died on that Tuesday, has its own story, that sadly, cannot be told personally. We honor them and pray for them and their families and survivors.
Lulu,
Venezuela
Dear Beth Quinn.
I am Paul from Maarheeze in Holland. The news of the terrorism in your contry shocked many many Dutchman. We have to help your people as much as we can!! The picture, and sadness we have seen on the television is too much to understand for normal people. Our familie will pray and think about you all in the coming times. Wish you and your families all the best and GOD bless you all American people.
Paul,
Maarheeze, Holland
Me and my co-workers on Volvo Cars in Gothenburg Sweden has read your story about Linda Gronlund, many with tears in their eyes. She is now our hero too.
Susanne,
Volvocars, Sweden
Hi Friend, an lady of America. Please know you touch my life. Although I have never know you are your My prayers go with her love ones! Thank you so much for sharing her story with me. My name is unimportant but I would love to have a friend in America. I am a humble housewife, mother and grandmother.
No name,
no country
Dear Beth. Us people in Germany feel with you and all Americans and will offer any help we can give to the American Nation. Lets say a prayer, that the civilized world gets closer together by an event like the happened one. And let's say a prayer, that the politicians, yours and ours are bright minded enough to be careful with their reactions, but strong enough to find and destroy the responsables and their world-wide network of terror.
W.,
Cologne, Germany
To all Americans espessialy to Linda Gronlund. You never walk alone. Greetings, love and respect. We all think of you in all over EUROPE and we will stand by your side against terrorrisme.
Richard and Sandra,
Vriendelijke
groeten, Holland
Hello Beth. My name is Antonio Barrote (from Portugal) and I would like you to know that I completely support the United States and all the American people!! GOD BLESS AMERICA! STAY STRONG.
Antonio,
Portugal
Hello Beth, I'm a woman from Holland reading your story about Linda Gronlund, and I was moved and proud of being a woman, after reading what she had done. (She and the others offcourse.)
I am a woman like there are many on the world: Educated, working mom, having a relationship based on the thought of sharing, etc. For us so normal, for a lot of woman a dream or fantasy.
I really don't understand, that there are men who think so less of woman. I think that, deep down, they are afraid of the power of the woman. Linda proved it!!
To be honest I think these men deserve to die, and I do hope so much that they will meet Linda in the here after, while she is sitting in heaven and they are burning in hell.!!! With love,
Yvette,
from Holland
I just read your paper posted September 16, 2001 on the Times Herald-Record about Linda and I want to tell you my admiration about what she did. Yesss, American woman are not alike the ones in Bin Laden world. And so are the Canadian and the Quebecers. Thank you for that paper.
Richard,
Quebec, Canada
Though I didn't know Linda Gronlund personally, I do know a friend of hers who told me about the death of Linda. It is a pity to have lost such a vibrant woman. I hope that others will take heart from her and pick up the torch and run with it.
Erica,
South Africa
I felt from the beginning that the people onboard that flight were hero's. Thank-you for letting me get to know Linda. I want to let you know that my thoughts are with you and all of the American people. I also agree with you that there should be a memorial to all of the people that died in this attack.
Robin,
Ontario, Canada
I am in Prince Edward Island, Canada. We have watched this entire tragedy unfold here as closely as you, our family, in the US have. Many heroes are emerging from this tragedy, and many more will over the next few years. I seriously feel that a National Historic Site should be established in that field in Pennsylvania and a monument should be erected, identifying them as the heroes they are.
I must admire the fortitude and courage of your President and Congress for standing together on this defensive action. The entire world is looking to the US right now to provide leadership, and the rest of the world (the sane, civilized world, anyway) will fall in behind as supporters of this action to the end. The corney old phrase, "United we stand, divided we fall" works right now.
Art,
Charlottetown, PE, Canada
Dear Ms. Quinn: I wanted to pass along my sincere condolences to you, and ALL Americans for this tragic loss. It's enlightening in this sad, sad time to hear of the heroes and heroines that gave so much and made the ultimate sacrifice. Linda Gronlund, and many others should have a marble wall dedicated to their memory. America is a great nation made great by its people. History has proven that Americans have suffered terrible strife in the past, and have picked themselves up, dusted themselves off, and come out of it stronger than ever. I'm certain that this will be the case again. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
David,
Toronto, Canada
LETTERS FROM AMERICANS
ABOUT LINDA GRONLUND
Dear Ms. Quinn: I've been an Army Ranger and a Green Beret, and I served in Vietnam as an infantry officer, so I've known some pretty brave and capable people. But among the bravest and strongest people I've ever met have been some of the women that I've had the privilege and honor of knowing and, in some cases, loving. My mother and my wife stand out prominently, but I can think of other women who have, frankly, impressed the hell out of me.
Like you, I can now add Linda Gronlund to my list of heroes. As long as America can count on people like her, we will survive –and prevail over – anything that the demons and barbarians of the world can throw at us.
Sincerely,
Andy,
Michigan
Beth. I was hoping I could ask you to do a favor for me. I'd like for you to tell Linda's family, and every other family you talk to with family that was aboard the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania, tell them THANK YOU, from little ol' me in Fallon, Nevada.
Thank you for my freedom, for the freedom of my family and my kids, thank you for possibly saving lives of someone I might know, for saving me. Who knows what would have happened if that plane would have hit its destinated target.
My heart swells with pride when I read and hear stories like Linda's. Those people are more courageous that anyone I know. They made a choice that makes all Americans proud.
When you talk to anyone who helped clear wreckage, who is related to someone in the plane, someone who helped at the Pentagon, tell them thanks for me, they are helping me to, even though I live across the United States. Tell them that they have done us all proud. They all have a place in my heart, my thoughts, my prayers. Thank you.
Katrena,
Fallon, Nevada
You go girl! Women in the United States will fight hard against terrorism and repression, and yell as loud as Patrick Henry ever did: Give me liberty or give me death! Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Linda Gronlund, be our guides into the future! And may we help free a lot of other women suffering from living slavery all over the world as we march on into our global future!
Martha,
no address
Mahalo, Beth, for that wonderful story about Linda Gronlund! It brought tears to my eyes and heart all the way here on Maui. Aloha!
Anne,
Maui, Hawaii
Linda Gronlund, thank you for all that you are and all that you did. You are my hero and role model. I wish you peace and a wonderful journey.
Dory,
no address
Dear Beth,
Mr. & Mrs. Gronlund, along with Linda and Elsa, lived on the other side of my backyard fence when they lived in Plainview, New York. Linda was always a strong willed girl. She was one year older than my brother, Paul, and two years older than me. I remember admiring her beautiful, long, blonde hair and how she cut it off one day to use as a hair-whip on the horses that she rode and loved so much.
I slowly lost touch with "my friend across the fence" but I am sure that she was exactly what you say and her last moments Linda was a fiery girl with gorgeous, crystal blue eyes and an attitude that wasn't to be messed with! Thank you for connecting me one last time to my friend.
Barbara,
no address
The story of Linda makes a tired burned out ol Vietnam vet proud.
No name, no address
I am both amazed with Ms. Gronlund's bravery and touched at the same time. Osama bin Laden does have a few surprises headed his way, he has awoken the sleeping giant, and is about to feel the wrath produced by his actions. The men and women of the United States should not have to fear terrorism, they should not have to be held back by four psychopaths on a plane, and Ms. Gronlund's actions are proof that we, as a nation, will not be feared.
It never amazes me to see a woman in the heroic role. I work in security and see it practically daily. I learned along time ago that a persons gender, age or status matters not when it comes to taking a stand.
The actions of those passengers on flight 93 is not only a testimonial to this tragic event, but show our convictions as Americans that ALL life is precious, and that we will not stand for such actions of blinded ignorance and hate, especially towards our own people.
Devin,
Austin, Texas
What an amazing woman. I too, would be by her side. Thank God for her and God bless America!!
Dickie,
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
I hope that the family of Linda Gronlund, and all the others who fought back can rest a bit easier knowing that their loved one truly made a difference.
Liane,
Orlando, Florida
My family and I are so proud of what Linda and all the others on that flight did, even at the cost of their own lives. Our hearts ache for the loss of every person who died at that madman's hands. Linda is now a hero to so many around the world and maybe, just maybe, her heroic actions will cause the women in bin Laden's world start to fight their oppression now! We can always pray for that, too!
Madeline,
Williamson, West Virginia
Wow! Bravo to Linda Gronlund and the others who overtook the terrorists! I've felt all along that the passengers and crew on that flight were heroes. Thank you for sharing the account of Flight 93. I know it was hard to write, but very important for us all to know how brave and courageous those people were and how many lives they saved by taking the plane back.
Frank,
Alexandria, Virginia
The world is a better place thanks to the Linda Gronlund's. Those who knew her were surely better for it. I am just a woman in Florida, praying for you all.
Christi,
Florida
Hi Beth. I believe we have many heroes since this evil attack on our country. I am from Sussex, N.J., and have many friends in Warwick, N.Y. I am very proud of Linda Gronlund and all the others on that plane for putting a halt to those murdering sob's. And thank you for sharing with us the courage and strength that Linda showed in her life and in her final hours. May God be with them and all of us to stand strong.
Janice,
Sussex, New Jersey
It's not often enough we here about the brave hearts of women, these are the true heroes of our great and wonderful land, along with the many thousands who have lost their lives and the countless thousands trying to save lives. Heaven only knows what they went through on that plane. She is now my hero, too.
William,
Las Vegas, Nevada
(but a New Yorker at heart)
On behalf of me and women everywhere, we can not forget her bravery or the others who did so much to ensure that our peace and security will remain in tact.
God bless America!
Lee, no address
This tragedy has shaken America to its core, but hearing of people like Linda and the way she and her colleagues handled that situation really makes me proud to be an American. They paid the ultimate sacrifice with honor and dignity and will never be forgotten. God knows how many lives they saved and in God's arms they now rest, for eternity. Our hearts will mend and life will go on for the living, but we will always be indebted to Linda Gronlund, my hero too.
Jim,
Bakersfield, California
Hello Beth. I have worked at BMW of North America with Linda for the better part of 15 years, and I can tell you that how she died is how she lived. She was never afraid to champion her cause to the highest level. Her death has left a terrible hole in all of us at work that we fear will never be filled. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have known her.
Bob, no address
We never realize what we are capable of until we are challenged. She sounded like a very wonderful woman who lived life to the fullest. May she rest in peace.
No name,
Kendallville, Indiana
BY: Beth Quinn
October 1,2001
Beth Quinn can be reached at:
bquinn@th-record.com.