The 9/11 Memorial serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic events that occurred on that fateful day, honoring the memory of nearly 3,000 lives lost. Amidst the sorrow, it also celebrates the enduring love of a husband, Brian Sweeney, and his message to his wife, Julie, which remains etched in our hearts. As we mark the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, let us remember Brian’s poignant words.
Who Was Brian Sweeney?
Brian David Sweeney, a pilot and former United States Navy Instructor turned defense contractor, shared a beautiful life with his wife, Julie, whom he married in Cape Cod. Julie once confided in a friend, “That’s the kind of guy I would marry,” upon first seeing Brian. Following their marriage, Brian had the privilege of working from home as a defense instructor, while Julie pursued her career as a teacher.
Brian’s Final Moments and Message
On that fateful day, September 11, 2001, Julie was teaching in her classroom when she received a life-altering call from her mother-in-law. The devastating news revealed that the plane Brian was on had crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
Brian had boarded the plane in Boston, bound for Los Angeles. At 8:42 a.m., the flight was hijacked by four terrorists. Two of them forced passengers to the back of the plane, while the others took control of the aircraft, redirecting it toward the World Trade Center in New York City.
Aware that his situation was dire, Brian Sweeney made a heart-wrenching phone call to Julie from an airphone. In his final words, he conveyed:
“I’m on an airplane that’s been hijacked. If things don’t go well and it’s not looking good, I just want you to know I love you. Go have a good time, same to my parents and everybody. I just totally love you, and I want you to do good. Bye Babe, I’ll try to call you.”
Julie, upon returning home and listening to the message on her answering machine, found solace in Brian’s words. In a video produced by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Julie shared her feelings, saying, “When I heard the voicemail, all I thought of was that it’s so Brian. He knew he wasn’t coming home, and it was his final way of letting me know exactly what he wanted me to do. He wanted me to know that no matter what happened, he loved me, and he wanted me to be happy and to move forward and go ahead and have good times and do good things with my life.”
Despite the tragedy, Julie has remarried and is now a mother of two. She continues to volunteer at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, a testament to her resilience and the enduring love between her and Brian. Their story represents the countless individuals who were unable to convey their last messages to their loved ones on that fateful day.
Conclusion
As we remember the events of September 11, 2001, let us honor the memory of Brian Sweeney and the countless others who lost their lives. Brian’s final message to Julie reminds us of the power of love and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy. It is a message that continues to inspire and uplift, even in the darkest of times.
