David Charlebois

David Charlebois (August 29, 1962 – September 11, 2001) was the first officer on American Airlines Flight 77, [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/specials/attacked/victims/v_240.html washingtonpost.com: America At War - The Human Toll ] ] which was destroyed in the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks. The flight was hijacked around 08:51 EDT by terrorists, and crashed into The Pentagon.

Charlebois attended Yorktown High School in Arlington County, Virginia. He was a member of the Class of '80. [ [http://www.yorktownalums.org/memoriam/charlebois_david-service-20010918.html In Memoriam - David Charlebois YHS 80 ] ] He later graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1984. Upon his death, Fred Phelps and his congregation planned on protesting at his funeral, [ [http://mattwelch.com/old/2001_10_14_archive.html Matt Welch ] ] however they were not able to.

He helped carry the banner for the National Gay Pilots Association in the Millennium March on Washington in 2000, marching in uniform. After walking the parade route, he walked it again with the Gay and Lesbian Employees of American Airlines (GLEAM), saying that he wished to support the gay flight attendants who had supported him in coming out as a gay pilot. He also helped raise money for the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League.

ee also

*September 11 terrorist attacks

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