Nine years ago as the full extent of the terrorist attacks began to unfold a group of passengers aboard a hijacked plane made a choice.
By chance they were on a very ordinary flight together, by choice they became heroes and arguably averted massive loss of life had their flight gone on to reach our nations capitol. In minutes they chose action over fear in the knowledge they may not come out alive.
During a speech delivered today at the crash site in Shanksville Pennsylvania it was said that heroism is not just a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.’
Our lives are buffeted by chance, by uncertainties and events beyond our control. But our choices are our own. As citizens, as Scout leaders and the many other roles we fulfil daily we can choose to act virtuously, and compassionately in the spirit of the flight 93 heroes.
In doing so we honor their memories and all those who have laid down their lives to come to the aid of others. Chance will put very few of us in such dire circumstances but we can still choose to make a difference.
