When I heard about the movie “United 93,” I felt a duty to go and see it. I had a strong desire to honor those Americans aboard that flight by seeing an accurate depiction of their amazing and frightening story. As I read and heard more about the movie, the level of authenticity that was adhered to, and the resounding endorsement by the family members of those aboard, my desire to see it got even stronger.
If you don’t know the details of the story, by an amazing quirk of fate, “United Flight 93” was delayed for take-off on Sept 11, 2001 for about 45 minutes. This enabled the passengers aboard to find out through phone calls with their loved ones, that they were aboard a plane bound for a suicide mission to an unknown target of national importance. They chose to take action and the first counterattack against the 9-11 terrorists was launched in a matter of minutes. They paid the ultimate price and saved the Capitol Building and perhaps thousands of other lives on the ground. They also denied the terrorists the most important symbolic target of 9-11.
As the Greeks owed a debt to the Spartans at Thermopylae, we owe these Americans a debt. But unlike Leonidas and the 300 Spartans, these were not warriors who spent a lifetime training for their moment of truth. These were ordinary citizens who took action and paid the ultimate price.
Every American should go and see this movie. Set aside some time and drive over to Agoura and see this movie. Don’t wait for the DVD to come out. Make the pilgrimage. See an accurate depiction of some Americans who deserve a moment of your attention. It is a very good movie. You will be uncomfortable watching it. Go anyway. Imagine how uncomfortable they were. I know you’re busy. Stop what you are doing and go see it. These were Americans. Honor them.
Rick Mullen