9/11: Remembering My Sister

Nine years ago today my younger sister Ann Campana Judge was murdered by the five men you see here.

She was on American Airlines Flight #77 - the one that was crashed into the Pentagon.

I will always remember that these men, as well as 10 of the other 14 murderers, were Saudi Arabians. The other four were nationals of the UAE (2), Lebanon, and Egypt. 

When we buy Saudi oil, some of our money goes to organizations that support these kinds of people. 

We should never forget that.

A few days after 9/11/2001, a field outside the Pentagon was 'appropriated' by loved ones of the victims. We left mementos of those we lost.

Below you can see what what my niece Becky and I left in Ann's memory.  The Marlboro Lights and Diet Coke should have been accompanied by a fifth (or more) of Dewar's Scotch but we exercised some good judgment - we left a Dewar's ad from a magazine. Besides, Annn would have wanted us to consume it.

 

Two years ago on this date they dedicated the Pentagon Memorial. The Washington Post had a special section on it.

I've been to the memorial thrice and it is a remarkable place. It's open 24/7.

Below are some pictures, including Ann's bench and her name carved in stone at the entrance.

In August 2009 I had a nice long visit. I sat on her bench and said "God bless!" to the other 183 murdered heroes who are memorialized, including the three middle-school students and their teachers Ann and NGS colleague Joe Ferguson were escorting to Los Angeles to join others for a field trip to the Channel Islands. It was the students' first airplane trip.  

 

 

 

 

 

Here are more pictures.

Next time I vist I'll bring some Diet Coke, a pack of Marlboro Lights, and maybe a bottle of Dewar's. Those were three of Annie's favorite things.

One thing gnaws at me: what were Ann's last moments like? Was she aware that they were going to crash? She must have - she was an experienced flyer who'd flown out of DC airports many times. She knew they were flying too fast and too low. And they were going in the wrong direction to be landing at DCA. Did she die on impact or suffer? Was she comforting the children? Probably.

Somewhat morbid, I know. 

I have her effects in a box (Mary Frances had this custom-built for me) in our library - her driver's license, some business cards, etc. It's amazing how well they survived the conflagration. She was incinerated but her business cards survived.

 

On the tenth anniversary I am going to retrace her flight. I suspect flight number 77 has long since been retired byAA but I'll do IAD > LAX. Perhaps that will help me.

Here is an article about the foundation I created to honor Ann.

RIP, Annie. You're still doing good things.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

"A little bit of irreverence is good. A lot is better." -- Ann Campana Judge.   

Nine years ago today my younger sister Ann Campana Judge was murdered by the five men you see here.

She was on American Airlines Flight #77 - the one that was crashed into the Pentagon.

I will always remember that these men, as well as 10 of the other 14 murderers, were Saudi Arabians. The other four were nationals of the UAE (2), Lebanon, and Egypt. 

When we buy Saudi oil, some of our money goes to organizations that support these kinds of people. 

We should never forget that.

A few days after 9/11/2001, a field outside the Pentagon was 'appropriated' by loved ones of the victims. We left mementos of those we lost.

Below you can see what what my niece Becky and I left in Ann's memory.  The Marlboro Lights and Diet Coke should have been accompanied by a fifth (or more) of Dewar's Scotch but we exercised some good judgment - we left a Dewar's ad from a magazine. Besides, Annn would have wanted us to consume it.

 

Two years ago on this date they dedicated the Pentagon Memorial. The Washington Post had a special section on it.

I've been to the memorial thrice and it is a remarkable place. It's open 24/7.

Below are some pictures, including Ann's bench and her name carved in stone at the entrance.

In August 2009 I had a nice long visit. I sat on her bench and said "God bless!" to the other 183 murdered heroes who are memorialized, including the three middle-school students and their teachers Ann and NGS colleague Joe Ferguson were escorting to Los Angeles to join others for a field trip to the Channel Islands. It was the students' first airplane trip.  

 

 

 

 

 

Here are more pictures.

Next time I vist I'll bring some Diet Coke, a pack of Marlboro Lights, and maybe a bottle of Dewar's. Those were three of Annie's favorite things.

One thing gnaws at me: what were Ann's last moments like? Was she aware that they were going to crash? She must have - she was an experienced flyer who'd flown out of DC airports many times. She knew they were flying too fast and too low. And they were going in the wrong direction to be landing at DCA. Did she die on impact or suffer? Was she comforting the children? Probably.

Somewhat morbid, I know. 

I have her effects in a box (Mary Frances had this custom-built for me) in our library - her driver's license, some business cards, etc. It's amazing how well they survived the conflagration. She was incinerated but her business cards survived.

 

On the tenth anniversary I am going to retrace her flight. I suspect flight number 77 has long since been retired byAA but I'll do IAD > LAX. Perhaps that will help me.

Here is an article about the foundation I created to honor Ann.

RIP, Annie. You're still doing good things.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

"A little bit of irreverence is good. A lot is better." -- Ann Campana Judge.   

Comments

[John doe]

Her name represented Deborah Anne Batts.
Last seat on 175 Deborah Medwig for a judges wig. 175 german law 2.94 penthouse pet 2 blocks west of 1281.......brenda Holiday 1.95
Nancy Kerrigan 1.94 batton kerri kendall 1990
Ken and kent JFK 87 world series gm 6

[Michael]

Thanks you so much for your message, Marianna. Hard to believe the 15th anniversary is almost upon us.

[Marianna Spicer Joslyn, OWU Class of '73]

I just found this Michael, though I've thought of Ann so many times over the years. She was a sorority sister at OWU, and we were in the same class. She was always funny, down to earth, and tough, things I greatly admire. As this next anniversary approaches, sending my prayers your way.

[Tamika Myers Starr]

Hello. I think about Ms. Ann all the time. She was my manager when I was an intern at the National Geographic Society. I think about her every September and remember how dedicated she was at NGS and her love for children. Thank you for sharing this information and remembering such an inspiring woman. She also was one of my references when I looked for new job opptys.In closing just want you to know that I went to NYC's 9/11 memorial just to see her name and another friend's name that I lost that day. God bless you all and Rest in Heaven Ann.

[Michael Campana]

Hi, Rebecca.

Thanks so much for your comments. Much appreciated!

Michael

[Rebecca Muller]

My aunt used to work at National Geographic and told me about Ann and how fun she was and all the great stories she told, especially those of her travels. My aunt was deeply saddened by her loss and I almost feel like I knew a little bit of Ann from what she told me. I wish I had had the pleasure to meet Ann in person but I am inspired and touched by this website and the foundation in her name.

[Sue Bottiggi]

Ann was very dear to me. She was the reason I joined Tri Delt. We kept in touch for awhile after she graduated (she was 2 years older) but I loved her spirit and sense of adventure. I used to want to be more like her but she didn't necessarily think that was my profile.

Back in the day I bummed many Marlboro Lights from her and I'm sure some diet coke.

I know in my heart that she gave those terrorists a piece of her mind. I have thought about her all weekend and every 9/11 and always will.

[Cathy Kraft]

Ann was one of my Tri-Delta sisters at OWU. Your memorial pictured on this site was perfect and caused me to smile through my tears. God Bless you and your loved ones as we honor her and the other citizens on this Tenth Anniversary of 9/11.