LeRoy W. Homer, Jr.
36 years old
Marlton, New Jersey
Mr. Homer was the first officer of United Flight 93 -- the co-pilot.
A native of Hauppage, New York, he was an Air Force Academy graduate, a recruiter for the academy, a former Air Force pilot, and an Air Force reservist.
Friends say he was also a dedicated family man. "He loved his job. He loved his family," said Martin Hnatov, a friend.
Mr. Homer is survived by his wife, Melodie, and a 10-month-old daughter.
The following message is excerpted from the guestbook for Leroy Homer at AmericanLegacy.com:
"LeRoy was a friend from grade school and high school. We recently reconnected and in May he visited my home. He met with my husband and my son. LeRoy was so happy to share pictures of his new baby, Laurel, and his wife, Melodie. I was so pleased that he was able to stop in on his way to Kennedy airport where he was flying out of that day.
"LeRoy grew in to a fine man. I remember the boy he was back in 1979 and the young man he became in 1987. All grown up, he became a gentleman. I am sorry that our firendship will not grow. God bless you, LeRoy, I know you died doing what impassioned you. Flying was your life ... it was evident."
Love, Michele LaBarr-Haynes (Rego Park, NY)
For the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's biography of LeRoy Homer, Jr., click here.
The LeRoy W. Homer, Jr. Foundation has been established to provide scholarships for flying lessons for adolescents interested in one day pursuing an aviation career. Click here to visit their site.
