For a quarter of a century, a dedicated non-profit organization rooted in South Jersey has transformed a national tragedy into an enduring mission of opportunity. By investing in young aviation enthusiasts, the organization keeps the memory of a fallen hero alive while opening pathways to the skies for generations of new pilots.
The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation was established in 2002 to honor the legacy of its namesake, a commercial pilot who perished during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Rather than letting Homer’s story end in sorrow, the foundation’s leadership set out to celebrate his lifelong passion for flight by empowering the next generation of aviators to realize their career ambitions.
Before his untimely death at the age of 36, Homer was a resident of Marlton, New Jersey, where he shared a home with his wife and young child. A former member of the U.S. Air Force, Homer transitioned from military service into commercial aviation, eventually serving as the first officer aboard United Airlines Flight 93.
On the morning of Sept. 11, United Airlines Flight 93 took off before being commandeered by four hijackers who redirected the aircraft toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Recognizing the imminent danger, Homer joined members of the flight crew and courageous passengers in resisting the terrorists and attempting to retake the cockpit.
Their collective defiance prevented the hijacked aircraft from reaching its intended target, forcing the plane to crash into an open field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The incident claimed the lives of all 40 victims on board, including 33 passengers, two pilots, and five flight attendants, alongside the four hijackers.
In the wake of that devastating day, Homer’s family and supporters sought a meaningful way to celebrate his character and love for the skies. Jane Oswari, the vice president of the foundation, explained that the group’s defining purpose has always been to sustain LeRoy’s passion for flight and build a living memorial that honors his service and courage.
The primary objective of the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation is to assist aspiring aviators between the ages of 16 and 23 as they work toward earning their private pilot licenses. Obtaining initial certification is often the most financially challenging step in aviation training, making the foundation’s intervention critical for young candidates.
This specialized focus on young people directly mirrors Homer’s own childhood journey into aviation. From early boyhood, Homer was captivated by flight, spending countless hours assembling model planes and studying aviation literature. He took his first official flying lesson at the age of 15, laying the groundwork for what would become an accomplished aviation career.
Over the past 25 years, the foundation has achieved significant milestones, collaborating directly with local flight academies to guide candidates through their rigorous training. Through these partnerships, the organization has awarded competitive scholarships that have allowed 40 young individuals to successfully earn their pilot licenses.
Although headquartered in South Jersey, the foundation operates on a nationwide scope, welcoming scholarship applications from across the United States. Funding for these programs is sustained through a combination of institutional grants, community donations, and substantial backing from United Airlines.
A notable component of this support stems from an employee giving program at United Airlines, which allows airline staff to contribute directly to the foundation through routine payroll deductions. This program creates a direct, ongoing bond between current airline professionals and the legacy of their late colleague.
The impact of the foundation extends well beyond initial certification. Many scholarship alumni have leveraged their training to pursue diverse careers across the aviation industry, moving on to serve as commercial airline pilots, military aviators, certified flight instructors, and specialized aviation professionals.
Despite the wide geographical distribution of its recipients, the foundation maintains an unusually strong communal atmosphere. Oswari noted that the organization functions much like an extended family, with former scholarship winners consistently maintaining close contact with the foundation and supporting one another throughout their professional lives.
Oswari observed that watching Homer’s spirit mirrored in the achievements of these young pilots has been exceptionally fulfilling. The foundation’s leadership takes pride in knowing that Homer’s life continues to inspire not only the professional trajectories of the recipients but also their personal character and values.
This living tribute complements other tangible memorials established across South Jersey that preserve the memory of Sept. 11. Across the region, communities honor the fallen through physical artifacts, including displays at the Mount Laurel Fire Department and Brooklawn that feature World Trade Center steel, Pentagon limestone, and soil from the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville.
Through continuous community support and nationwide scholarship opportunities, the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation ensures that the heroism displayed on Flight 93 remains linked to hope and progress. By lifting up young aviators, Homer’s dedication to aviation continues to soar in cockpits across the nation.
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