A memorial service for LeRoy Wilton Homer Jr., first officer on the hijacked jet that crashed in Pennsylvania, was held September 21 at Hamilton Mountain Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Homer, 36, was a pilot on United Flight 93, the only hijacked plane that did not hit a target during the September 11 terrorist assault on the United States. At the memorial service, Homer was eulogized as someone who demonstrated “courage, determination, generosity, compassion and kindness to family, friends, and strangers alike.”

Homer, his wife, Melodie, and their baby daughter attended Mount Holly Adventist Church in New Jersey, United States.  Melodie grew up in Hamilton where her parents are members of Hamilton Mountain Church.

“We all feel an overwhelming sense of grief,” said Member of Parliament Beth Phinnie, who addressed those crowded into the sanctuary and those watching on closed-circuit television. “Many have come to see the world in terms of ‘we’ instead of ‘me.’ We’ve become friendlier to strangers.  Let us resolve to make this new kindness part of our daily lives.”

Other guests at the memorial service included Members of Parliament Shelia Copps and Stan Keyes; Tom Jackson, Hamilton acting Mayor; Fire Chief Randy Knowles; Pastor Orville Parchment, president of the Adventist Church in Canada; and Pastor Derrick Nichols, president of the Adventist Church in Ontario.