Remembering The Lives Of Two Heroes

Last year I participated in Project 2996 -- a collaborative effort made by bloggers all over the world to remember and celebrate the lives of the 2996 people who lost their lives on Sept 11, 2001.

As part of participating in the project last year (which was the 5th anniversary of the tragic events) I did my research and celebrated the life of fallen firefighter Raymond Meisenheimer.

On Sept 11, 2001 Raymond Meisenheimer was two months away from retiring after 20 years of serving the public on the New York City Fire department. You can read the full tribute to Raymond here but I can't help but think about him and the life he led before he died and I certainly didn't want this year to pass without mentioning him.

Despite the fact that I never met him, or his family, I feel for them on this anniversary of the date that Raymond Meisenheimer gave his life to protect his fellow citizens .

For this year, I thought I might also highlight the memory of somebody who did not end up getting a write-up as part of last year's Project 2996.

Deora Frances Bodley

Age: 20
Residence: Santa Clara, CA
Occupation: Student, Santa Clara University
Location: United Airlines Flight 93

Deora was returning from a visit with friends on the East Coast when she boarded United Flight 93 on the morning of September 11, 2001.

Her friends describe her as a vibrant young woman and a person who made the world a better place. She was an active volunteer and demonstrated a consistent view that if we all tried harder, we could make the future work out. At the age of 11 she wrote in one of her journals the following: "People who ask who, what, when, how and why. I ask peace."

Deora was majoring in Psychology at Santa Clara University and planned on becoming a child psychologist. This was a natural decision for her given her energy, thirst for life and love of children.

"If I would just live for the moment, and make every moment count, maybe the future would work out. Maybe that moment would be a doorway to the future." - Deora Frances Bodley (Age 13)

In the two decades that Deora lived, she touched many lives and injected a sense of spirit and positive energy that those who knew her will never forget. Indeed, just reading about her life, about the enthusiasm and hope that she generated is inspiring and something that she continues to give to the world.

More information about Deora:

Deora's Biography in the Flight 93 Memorial website.
Deora's Candles - website celebrating Deora's life. This website features a jazz composition that Derrill Bodley, Deora's father, wrote in her honour. It was record by Dave Drubeck and the beautiful, moving melody can be heard on the website.