For a quarter of a century, a South Jersey non-profit organization has transformed the profound tragedy of September 11 into an enduring tribute by helping aspiring young aviators take to the skies. Established in memory of First Officer LeRoy W. Homer Jr., who was at the controls of United Airlines Flight 93, the organization continues to open cockpit doors for the next generation of flyers.
The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation was established in 2002 to honor Homer’s lifelong love for aviation. Foundation leaders have dedicated the past 25 years to ensuring that his personal enthusiasm for flight serves as a guiding light for young people seeking careers in the aerospace sector.
Jane Oswari, the vice president of the foundation, noted that the central purpose of the group has always been to perpetuate Homer’s spirit. She explained that the organization wanted to honor him by directly fostering his greatest passion and passing that devotion forward to future aviators.
Homer was 36 years old when United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked shortly after takeoff on Sept. 11, 2001. Terrorists seized control of the aircraft and redirected its course toward the U.S. Capitol. Recognizing the grave danger, Homer joined members of the flight crew and brave passengers in fighting back against the hijackers.
Their collective resistance caused the airliner to crash into an open field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, preventing the plane from striking its intended target in Washington, D.C. The crash claimed the lives of all on board, including 33 passengers, two pilots, five flight attendants, and the four hijackers.
Before his career with United Airlines, Homer served as a member of the United States Air Force. At the time of his death, he resided in Marlton, South Jersey, where he lived with his wife and young child. His courage in the cockpit cemented a lasting legacy of heroism across the region and the country.
The primary mission of the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation focuses on assisting young individuals between the ages of 16 and 23 in obtaining their private pilot licenses. By providing crucial financial and developmental support, the foundation removes substantial barriers that often prevent young aviation enthusiasts from completing their training.
Over the past 25 years, the organization has awarded numerous scholarships and partnered closely with local flight training schools across the nation. Through these coordinated efforts, the foundation has successfully supported 40 young individuals in earning their official pilot licenses.
Oswari reflected on how the initiative brings light to a dark chapter in American history. She observed that while Sept. 11 was an immensely tragic day, the establishment of the foundation has allowed them to capture Homer's lifelong passion and actively channel it through upcoming generations of pilots.
The focus on teenagers and young adults directly mirrors Homer’s own path into aviation. As a young boy, he was deeply fascinated by aircraft, spending his childhood assembling model airplanes and reading extensive collections of aviation literature. That early dedication culminated in Homer taking his very first formal flying lesson at just 15 years old.
The foundation’s scholarships are distributed on a national scale, supported by a combination of public donations, grant funding, and backing from United Airlines. Through a dedicated employee giving program, United Airlines workers are able to contribute directly by choosing payroll deductions to fund the non-profit’s educational initiatives.
The impact of the scholarship program extends far beyond flight school certifications. Many of the foundation’s alumni have progressed into prominent aviation roles, serving as commercial airline pilots, military aviators, certified flight instructors, and leaders across various specialized sectors of the aerospace industry.
Despite the fact that scholarship recipients are scattered throughout the United States, the organization maintains a tight-knit community. Oswari described the network of scholars and organizers as a true family, emphasizing that nearly all former recipients remain in active communication with each other and the foundation leadership.
Oswari expressed deep gratitude for these enduring bonds, stating that it has been deeply rewarding to witness Homer’s life mirrored in the journeys of these individuals. She emphasized that his legacy is visibly reflected not only in the recipients' professional aviation careers but also throughout their daily personal lives.
Homer’s sacrifice is also commemorated through tangible regional memorials across South Jersey. At the Mount Laurel Fire Department headquarters, a dedicated 9/11 memorial houses a twisted steel beam from the World Trade Center, a 250-pound limestone fragment from the Pentagon, and a commemorative rock from the Flight 93 Memorial near Shanksville.
Similarly, the borough of Brooklawn maintains a local monument featuring a 9-foot-11-inch piece of World Trade Center steel alongside a special preservation box containing authentic soil and stone artifacts recovered from the Shanksville crash site. Together with Homer’s living scholarship foundation, these tributes ensure that the courage and memory of South Jersey’s fallen hero remain unforgotten.
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