On September 11, 2001, Vanessa Minter was working as an American Airlines reservations agent when she received a call that would become a defining moment in the history of the terror attacks. On the other end of the line was flight attendant Betty Ong, who was calling from the back galley of American Airlines Flight 11 as it traveled from Boston to Los Angeles.
“She said, ‘I think we’re being hijacked,'” Minter recalled during an interview. Minter noted that the tone of Ong’s voice made it clear the situation was dire. Throughout the call, Ong remained composed and professional, relaying critical information that ultimately assisted the FAA in the decision to close U.S. airspace. Minter later remarked on Ong’s poise, describing her as a “pillar” who knew exactly what information was required during the crisis.
Minter was the last person to speak with Ong before the aircraft struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. During their final moments, Ong told her, “Pray for us.” Reflecting on the experience, Minter expressed the weight of that connection, stating, “I was the last person that she spoke to, and I couldn’t make it better. I couldn’t even help.”
Three weeks after the tragedy, Minter wrote a letter to the Ong family in California, detailing Betty’s bravery and her concern for the passengers. This letter was the family’s first introduction to the existence of the midair call. Betty’s older brother, Harry, now 77, said that hearing the recording for the first time filled the family with immense pride.
Harry, who visits a memorial for his sister at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma, California, every month, emphasized that Betty was one of many heroes lost that day. In 2002, investigators recovered a bone fragment containing her DNA just two blocks from Ground Zero. “We envelop almost 3,000 people who have perished that day, and we have to just remember them and to say that they’re all heroes, and many, many more,” Harry said.
For 25 years, Minter had not traveled west to meet the family, but she recently made the journey to reunite with Harry at the memorial. Following the visit, Harry invited Minter to his home, where she viewed family keepsakes, including Betty’s ID tags and a letter from President George W. Bush. She also had the opportunity to meet Betty’s 99-year-old mother, Gum.
During the emotional meeting, Minter shared her gratitude with Gum, telling her, “You have such a brave daughter. I feel like I’m a member of this family already.” The report also notes that in Cary, North Carolina, Vanessa Minter was among the first people on the ground to learn about the terror unfolding in the air on Sept. The report also notes that i want you to know that she will always be in my heart and my prayers as I go through life,” she wrote. The report also notes that stella Parton says her sister Dolly was prepared and at peace when she died. The report also notes that daughters of 9/11 victims seek answers about accused mastermind’s trial. The report also notes that dolly Parton’s sister shares why the country music star kept her cancer battle private.
