What made Leroy Homer a hero?

Township council cited winners of the LeRoy Homer Jr. Essay Award contest at its June meeting.

Homer was a Marlton resident and pilot who lost his life on 9/11 as first officer on United Flight 93, one of four planes hijacked that day. Along with the other crew members and passengers, he helped take control of the aircraft from the hijackers, even as they knew they might sacrifice their lives so the plane wouldn’t hit its intended target in Washington, D.C.

It instead crashed in Pennsylvania, killing all aboard.

The essay contest winners are Anthony Chiusano and Joseph Kelly, of St. Joan of Arc School, and Jack Gilo, from DeMasi Middle. Mayor Jaclyn Veasy read the proclamation citing their wins.

The contest is sponsored annually by the Evesham Township Disabilities and Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee. Those eligible to submit essays include eighth-grade students from the schools mentioned above, as well as Marlton Middle, and seniors at Cherokee High School.

One winner from each school was selected and received a cash award.

The theme of this year’s essay contest is, “How are you inspired by LeRoy Homer?” Entrants were asked to consider the qualities that made the pilot a hero and explain how they personally have shown selflessness, an unyielding commitment to the well-being of others and personal excellence.

Councilman Joseph Fisicaro Jr., who also serves as liaison to the advisory committee, explained the purpose of the contest before introducing its winners at the council meeting.

” … Leroy Homer, like many of the men and women we honor out there, are brave heroes,” he said. “We challenge our students in Evesham Township about how the heroism of someone like Leroy Homer shapes (the students).

“Men like Leroy Homer give the ultimate sacrifice, (but) sometimes heroism isn’t always that,” Fisicaro added. “What we’re asking (of students) is the idea of doing something small, something that may reach out and save someone else or help someone else, or impact their life positively.

“These recipients, who wrote incredibly brave letters and essays on Leroy Homer and how he has impacted them, are three wonderful examples of students in Evesham Township who will be wonderful leaders and great humanitarians as they get older.”

“(This certificate) is in recognition of your submitted essays relaying the qualities, leadership and empathy that you share with our American hero (Homer),” the mayor noted. “(The township) proudly acknowledges your achievement and wishes you continued success in all of your future endeavors. Congratulations to all of you.”