Feb 9, 2009 6:30 pm US/Eastern
Flight 1549 Passengers Reunite With Sully, Crew
Tearful Reunion Allows Passenger, Family To Give Their Thanks
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CBS) ―
-
-
Capt. Chesley Sullenberger hugs one of the passengers aboard US Airways Flight 1549 after he and his crew were reunited with them by "60 Minutes."
CBS
US Airways Flight 1549's final destination was supposed to be Charlotte, North Carolina. That's where "60 Minutes" arranged an emotional meeting between the plane's crew and their very grateful passengers.
It was applause for the crew when the room full of passengers first caught sight of them. One by one, each passenger and his or her family was given the opportunity to thank, hug, and shake the hands of Capt. Chesley Sullenberger and his entire crew aboard the plane.
"You did just an incredible job. Really really, really proud," one passenger told Sully.
"Thank you for bringing my husband home to me," said another's wife.
Some had T-shirts that read, "Sully Is My Co-Pilot."
One man aboard the plane, John Howell, had lost his bother, George DiPasquale, in the September 11 attacks.
"My brother was a firefighter killed at the Trade Center. And the whole way down, I'm thinking, 'My family's not gonna survive this. I've gotta get off this airplane,'" said Howell. "I can't believe that everyone walked off that airplane. It's a miracle, and I really thank you."
He shared the ironic news with the crew at the reunion.
"He showed me a picture of himself with his niece, and the niece was a child of his brother who was killed on 9/11," said Sheila Dail, a flight attendant on the plane.
"And he told me he didn't think his family could take losing a second son," added Sullenberger.
After chatting with each of his passengers and telling and retelling their stories, Capt. "Sully" left them with his own message of gratitude.
"I simply wanted to thank all of you for coming. I think today was as much and as good for me and my crew as it was for you. We will be joined forever because of the events of January 15th, in our hearts and in our minds. Goodbye," he said.
Sullenberger intends to resume flying, but right now, he's spending time with his family and answering notes from all over the world.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments