For a quarter of a century, a dedicated non-profit organization rooted in South Jersey has transformed the sorrow of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks into an enduring educational initiative. By providing direct financial assistance and training opportunities, the foundation continues to help aspiring young pilots across the United States take to the skies and fulfill their aviation ambitions.
The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation was formally established in 2002 to preserve the memory of its namesake, First Officer LeRoy W. Homer Jr., who was at the controls of a hijacked aircraft during the historic national tragedy. Through scholarships and flight training programs, the organization works to ensure that Homer's dedication to aviation continues to inspire future generations.
Foundation leaders emphasize that the core purpose of the organization is to keep Homer’s love for flying alive. Jane Oswari, the vice president of the foundation, explained that their central mission has always been to carry forward LeRoy's profound passion for flight and to pay meaningful tribute to his life and sacrifice.
Homer was serving as the first officer on United Airlines Flight 93 when the passenger jet was seized by terrorists shortly after departure. The hijackers breached the cockpit and redirected the aircraft toward Washington, D.C., with the intended destination believed to be the U.S. Capitol building.
In response to the hostile takeover, Homer, alongside fellow crew members and courageous passengers, actively revolted against the hijackers. Their collective resistance prevented the plane from reaching its target, ultimately causing Flight 93 to crash into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The tragic event resulted in the loss of all aboard, including 33 passengers, two pilots, five flight attendants, and the four perpetrators.
At the time of his death at age 36, Homer resided in Marlton, South Jersey, where he shared a home with his wife and child. Before his career with United Airlines, Homer had built a distinguished record in aviation, having served his country as a member of the United States Air Force.
To honor his memory, the foundation focuses its core philanthropic work on young aviation enthusiasts between the ages of 16 and 23. The organization’s primary initiative centers on providing the financial resources necessary for these young candidates to successfully obtain their private pilot licenses.
The decision to target this specific age group is deeply connected to Homer’s own beginnings in aviation. As a young boy, Homer harbored an early ambition to fly, spending his childhood assembling model airplanes and studying aviation literature. He took his very first formal flying lesson at the age of 15, mirroring the early dedication that the foundation now seeks to cultivate in its scholarship recipients.
Over the past 25 years, the organization has coordinated directly with local flight schools to facilitate flight training. Through these structured scholarships and instructional partnerships, the foundation has successfully assisted 40 young individuals in completing their coursework and earning their private pilot certifications.
Oswari highlighted the transformative nature of turning a devastating historical event into a constructive legacy. She noted that while Sept. 11 remains a day of profound loss, the foundation has managed to channel Homer’s passion for aviation directly into empowering the next cohort of pilots.
The foundation operates on a nationwide scale, awarding its scholarships to qualifying candidates across the country. Financial support for these educational endeavors is sustained through a combination of institutional grants, private charitable contributions, and dedicated backing from United Airlines.
A significant portion of the ongoing support is made possible through a specialized United Airlines employee giving program. Under this initiative, airline personnel can choose to contribute directly to the foundation through automatic payroll deductions, strengthening the bond between Homer's former employer and his living memorial.
The impact of the scholarship program extends well beyond the initial granting of a license. Numerous alumni of the program have progressed into advanced aviation careers, serving as commercial airline pilots, military aviators, certified flight instructors, and professionals across the broader aerospace sector.
Despite the geographic dispersion of the scholarship recipients nationwide, the organization maintains a close-knit, familial culture. Oswari observed that the vast majority of recipients remain actively in contact with both the foundation's leadership and with one another throughout their professional journeys.
Reflecting on the ongoing milestone, Oswari expressed pride in seeing Homer’s character and ambitions reflected in the lives of the program's graduates. She emphasized how rewarding it has been to watch his legacy flourish through the personal milestones and professional achievements of each young pilot.
Alongside permanent regional physical memorials that preserve historical artifacts from the Shanksville crash site, the foundation’s educational mission stands as an active, living tribute. By keeping young aviators aloft, the South Jersey community ensures that the bravery and passion of LeRoy W. Homer Jr. remain an uplifting force in American aviation.
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