Editor's note:
Mr. Pielmeier passed away December 5th, 2002.
We are honored to publish his works.
LET'S ROLL! - FLIGHT 93
by Joe Pielmeier Sr.
Aircraft nose art with the words "Let's roll!" -- America's two-word marching
order in the fight against terrorism will be displayed on various aircraft
throughout the Air Force as a way of recognizing the heroes and victims of the
Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
The words were made famous by Todd Beamer, a passenger on Flight 93. Beamer, a
32-year-old businessman, Sunday school teacher, husband, father and hero, led
other passengers in fighting terrorists for control of Flight 93 before it
crashed into a field in western Pennsylvania.
He was overheard on a cellular phone reciting the Lord's Prayer and saying
"Let's roll!" as passengers charged the terrorists.
She heard him say, "Let's roll",
and then
As he laid down the phone.
She knew at once what he had meant,
Now she'd be all-alone.
He had called to tell her, of his love,
From a highjacked plane that day.
And as she heard his little prayer,
He started on his way.
He and others made a pact,
To fight for what was right.
They knew that none of them would live,
They'd not be home tonight.
The terrorists were taken down,
The plane fell from the sky.
These heroes will forever live,
We'll hear their final cry.
"Remember Pearl Harbor"
Was the cry in my big war.
Just like we did in '41,
We'll rise up from the floor.
The battle cry, will now rings out,
As one voice, we'll shout, "Let's roll"
For to rid the world of terrorists,
Is now our Country's goal.
A monument will soon be built,
Where these heroes took their stand.
We owe each one our gratitude,
From all across the land.
Tonight let's pray, for these brave souls,
Who gave their very lives.
And for the parents, siblings too,
The children and the wives.
So look around and you might see,
A hero by your side.
We never know who might stand up,
And fight instead of hide.
I'm proud of those who serve today,
I hope we stand our ground.
It may take years for us to win,
'Till the killers all are found.
Now GOD, I ask YOUR blessing,
On this country we hold dear.
'Till the warriors return safely home,
Then we can stand and cheer!
'Let's roll!' has served as a rallying cry for this nation as we go forward in
our war on terrorism," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.John P. Jumper.
"We are proud to display this new nose art on our aircraft."
The passengers of Flight 93 won one of the first victories in the fightagainst
terrorism. There has been much speculation about the terrorists'intentions for
Flight 93, but it is widely believed that either the White House or the U.S.
Capitol building was the intended target.
The nose art design depicts an eagle soaring in front of the U.S. flag,with
the words "Spirit of 9-11" on the top and "Let's roll!" on the bottom.
The design was created by Senior Airman Duane White, a journeyman from Air
Combat Command's multimedia center at Langley Air Force Base, Va.
The Thunderbirds and other Air Force demonstration teams will apply this nose
art on all aircraft, while major commands and wings will be authorized to
apply the nose art to one aircraft of their choice.
For thousands of years, warriors, such as the Vikings, Zulus, Native
Americans, samurai and many others, have followed a tradition of decorating
their instruments of war. These instruments could include the warriors or
their weapons. The Air Force has used nose art throughout much of its history,
and for a variety of reasons.
The "Let's roll!" nose art is being used to continue the remembrance of the
events of Sept. 11, spur on the nation's current patriotic spirit and pay
tribute to the heroes and victims in the war against terrorism.
It is anticipated that the art will start to appear on Air Force aircraft
around Jan. 15.
