Wilton Resident Honored by Sen. Toni Boucher for Post 9/11 Advocacy

Sen. Toni Boucher on Apr. 22 welcomed Wilton resident Sari Weatherwax to the State Capitol’s historic Senate Chamber to commend Weatherwax on her advocacy for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“Everyone in Connecticut should be proud of her.”

Sen. Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) on Apr. 22 welcomed Wilton resident Sari Weatherwax to the State Capitol’s historic Senate Chamber to commend Weatherwax on her advocacy for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

For several decades, Weatherwax served as a flight attendant for United Airlines. On 9/11, 16 of Weatherwax’s flying partners and friends were serving on United Airlines Flight 175, which crashed into the second World Trade Center tower, and on United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Weatherwax is also a family member.

The September 11 attacks changed Weatherwax’s life forever, leading her to become an advocate and activist for her colleagues. She has been a leading voice in to raise public respect for flight personnel as well as passengers who perished on 9/11. She notes the heroic efforts of those on United Flight 93 who fought with the terrorists and saved untold lives in the process.

Weatherwax notes that these courageous individuals are often overlooked, even though they were the first to fight in the War on Terror, and the first to die. They were quite literally first responders.

In the days following 9/11, Weatherwax made more than 400 phone calls to elected leaders to raise their awareness of these heroes. Her efforts led to the governors of Connecticut, New York and Congressman Christopher Shays and Mayor Guiliani to organize a New York and Connecticut State Police-escorted bus convoy to Ground Zero. Upon their arrival to the site, a ceremony was held to repose the remains of Weatherwax’s colleagues along with the remains of 14,000 others. In addition:

  • Weatherwax traveled with the U.S. Army personnel to transport American soldiers to the Conflict Zone during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The information on Weatherwax’s trip was recently declassified by federal officials.
  • Weatherwax has served as spokesperson for the 9/11 Tribute Center, which is located across from the World Trade Center Memorial Museum
  • Weatherwax also serves as Artifacts Specialist and docent at the World Trade Center Memorial Museum

“We, in the town of Wilton, are very proud of Sari,” Sen. Boucher told her fellow senators during a ceremony honoring Weatherwax. “Everyone in the State of Connecticut should be proud of her too.”

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Submitted by Wilton, CT

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