Betty Ong's Brother Harry Ong Honors Flight Attendant's Heroism on 25th Anniversary of September 11 Attacks

Harry Ong recently honored the heroism of his sister, Betty Ong, a flight attendant who provided critical information during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Betty Ong was aboard American Airlines Flight 11, the first commercial plane to be hijacked and eventually crash into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. During the hijacking, Betty Ong placed a historic call to the American Airlines reservation center in Raleigh, North Carolina. She reported that the cockpit was not answering and that passengers were being attacked with mace and a sword. Her clear-headedness and courage prompted air traffic controllers to land every plane flying over the United States. Harry Ong noted that his sister was a hero, though he expressed that she was one of many heroes who perished that day. He shared keepsakes from Betty Ong, including her ID tags and a letter from President Bush. He also recently reunited with Vanessa Minter, the reservation agent who spoke with Betty Ong during the final call. Vanessa Minter described Betty Ong as a pillar of strength who relayed critical information until the plane crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m.

Sources

• CBS News
  She made the historic first call from a hijacked plane on 9/11. 25 years later, her family met the woman who answered.
• BuzzFeed
  Betty Ong Is One Of 9/11’s First Heroes. More People Should Know Her Name.
• TODAY.com
  Brother of Flight Attendant Who First Reported 9/11 Hijacking Reflects on Anniversary: ‘You Almost Die 25 Times’
• History.com
  How Final Calls From 9/11 Became a Record of the Tragedy

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Paywall and unreadable sources

• People.com
  Trapped in the Burning Twin Towers, Some 9/11 Victims Had Time for Final Messages: ‘He Said I Meant the World to Him’