As America nears the 24th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the memories of that day remain etched into the nation’s heart. The attacks changed the course of history, but they also revealed remarkable acts of courage. Among the stories that continue to inspire is that of United Flight 93, where ordinary passengers and crew took extraordinary action. At the center of that story is Todd Beamer, remembered for his calm faith and the rallying words he spoke before he and others charged the cockpit: “Are you guys ready? Let’s roll.”
Recently, I had the honor of speaking with David Beamer, Todd’s father, who reflected on his son’s life, faith, and the legacy of that final flight.
Todd Beamer was born and raised in northeast Ohio, in a close-knit Christian family. David and his wife Peggy emphasized faith, family, and education in their household, and Todd grew up surrounded by strong values. From a young age, Todd displayed a balance of athletic competitiveness and genuine kindness. His father fondly recalled a moment in fifth grade when the teacher asked every student to write down who they wanted to sit beside. “Every kid in the class picked Todd,” David said. “That told us a lot about who he was.”
Todd thrived in sports, excelling in baseball, basketball, and soccer. He was a natural competitor, but also the kind of teammate who encouraged others. After high school, he attended Wheaton College, a Christian liberal arts school near Chicago, where he majored in business. It was there he met his future wife, Lisa, a fellow student. After earning his degree, Todd pursued a master’s in business administration from DePaul University, while building his career in technology sales.
By 2001, Todd had established himself at Oracle Corporation, one of the largest software companies in the world. His success at Oracle earned him recognition and incentive trips abroad. Just a day before the attacks, Todd and Lisa had returned from one such trip to Italy, celebrating his achievements. At home in New Jersey, the couple were raising two young sons, David (three years old) and Drew (one and a half), with a third child – a daughter, Morgan – on the way. Lisa was five months pregnant when the attacks occurred.
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Todd left home early to catch United Flight 93 from Newark to San Francisco. His schedule was tight: a business meeting at Oracle headquarters that afternoon, followed by a red-eye flight home. That meeting would never happen. Not long after takeoff, hijackers seized control of the plane as part of the coordinated attacks already underway in New York and Washington.
Unlike the other flights, Flight 93 took off late, and that delay became a critical factor. Because of it, passengers learned through phone calls to loved ones that planes had already been used as weapons against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Realizing their hijacking was not a negotiation, but a suicide mission, the passengers and crew made a bold choice – to fight back.
One of those calls was made by Todd, who used an onboard phone to connect with Lisa Jefferson, a Verizon operator. During their conversation, Todd calmly explained the situation and asked her to recite with him the Lord’s Prayer and the 23rd Psalm. Before hanging up, Todd said the words that still echo decades later: “Are you guys ready? Let’s roll.”
Those words were not just a plan of action – they became a symbol of American courage. Moments later, Todd and the other passengers attempted to storm the cockpit. In the struggle, the plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all aboard but preventing what was almost certainly a strike on the U.S. Capitol. Hundreds of lives in Washington were spared because ordinary citizens chose to act with extraordinary bravery.
For David Beamer, those moments define not only Todd’s heroism but also his character. “Todd was ready,” he said. “He knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior on Sept. 10. He was prepared for that meeting with God on Sept. 11.”
In the years since, the phrase “Let’s roll” has appeared on fire trucks, military aircraft, and memorials. But for David, it is more than history – it is a challenge. “It’s a call to action,” he explained. “Do the right thing, and do it right now. That’s what those words mean. That’s what Todd lived.”
The Beamer family continues to share Todd’s story, not as a tale of tragedy, but of faith, sacrifice, and hope. “At the end of the day, faith, family, and courage are what matter most,” David said. “That’s Todd’s legacy, and that’s what we hope the next generation never forgets.”
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