Letter from 9/11 Flight Attendant Reaches Her Son 24 Years Later

Over two decades after 9/11, a mother's final letter resurfaces, and her son reads her words for the first time in a tearful and emotional moment caught on camera.

A heart-wrenching letter penned by a heroic 9/11 flight attendant has finally reached her son — over 20 years after she perished aboard Flight 93 in the September 11, 2001, attacks. In a moment as poignant as it is powerful, Jevon Castrillo, now a grown man and father, came face to face with a message written in March 2001 by his late mother, Cee Cee Ross Lyles, just months before her tragic death.

The touching revelation was made possible by WPTV reporter Jon Shainman, who orchestrated a video call between Castrillo and his former kindergarten teacher, Tammy Thurman — the woman who had held onto the letter all these years.

A Letter Lost to Time… Finally Delivered

The letter's path to Castrillo was anything but ordinary. Shainman first came across the note when it arrived at the station. With curiosity and reverence, Shainman delivered it directly to him in Fort Pierce, where Castrillo carefully unfolded the piece of paper that had been preserved for nearly a quarter of a century.

Shainman delivered the letter to him on a Tuesday. The request for Castrillo to read it aloud transformed a simple exchange into a moment of profound connection between a son and the mother he lost far too soon.

A Teacher's Promise Kept Across Four Moves and 24 Years

The letter had originally been sent to Castrillo's kindergarten teacher, Thurman. She explained that she kept it with her across years and schools — four moves in total — never letting go of the keepsake. When the opportunity finally arose, she shared it with Shainman, who arranged for her and Castrillo to reconnect on a Zoom call.

"As a mom, I know you need to see those words from your mom," Thurman told him. "She was a wonderful woman, and you were a wonderful student."

On the call, Thurman even surprised Castrillo with a class photo, rekindling memories of his earliest school days. Overwhelmed, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you so much for both the roles you guys played in getting me this note. You guys did great."

When he finally read the words written in his mother's penmanship, his voice wavered with emotion as he became tearful. "Very touching," he said. "It seems very sweet, and it seems like something she would definitely say, you know."

Cee Cee Ross Lyles's Words from the past Still Tug at the Heartstrings

The note itself reflected a moment of maternal pride that had been waiting more than two decades to be heard. "Dear Ms. Thurman, Jevon read a book last night that he brought home from the library. He read it from cover to cover. I told him I would write you a note and tell you what an outstanding job he did. We are very proud of him and will continue to work with him at home. Again, thank you for your dedication and courage for the job that you do. Cee Cee Lyles," reads the letter.

Just months later, Lyles, a former Fort Pierce detective, would lose her life aboard United Flight 93, one of the four hijacked planes on that fateful morning in 2001. Castrillo, now a father to a three-month-old, vows to continue honoring her legacy: to live a life that would make her proud — just as she once said he made her.

A Legacy That Still Lives On

In Fort Pierce and beyond, Lyles's name is etched in stone — literally and figuratively. A statue and engraved plaque now stand in her honor, ensuring that her bravery is never forgotten.

Shainman once shared a solemn video tribute on the 2019 anniversary of 9/11, capturing the site and reflecting on her lasting impact. The footage served as a stirring reminder of the strength and heroism that continues to resonate.

Similarly, this year, on the anniversary of the attacks, a longtime friend remembered Lyles not only as a 9/11 hero but also as a "softball sister," celebrating the summers they spent together on the field.

Alongside a beaming portrait of Lyles in her flight attendant uniform, the tribute called on others to remember — not just the tragedy, but the woman full of joy, strength, and spirit behind the uniform, as well as the other lives lost that day.

More than a Hero: A Woman of Courage, Determination, and Love

Lyles was more than a name tied to tragedy — she was a woman who lived with purpose, compassion, and courage. Living in Fort Pierce, Florida, she built a career in public service as a police officer, rising to the rank of detective before pursuing her dream of becoming a flight attendant.

In January 2001, she achieved that goal, joining United Airlines with the hope of seeing the world. On September 11, 2001, just months into her new career, Lyles found herself among the seven crew members of United Flight 93.

In the midst of the chaos, she managed to place calls to her husband, first leaving a message on his answering machine and later speaking to him directly. In those moments, she expressed her love for him, her children, and her hope to see her husband's face again.

In the second call she placed to him, the one where she was able to reach him, Lyles described the brave plans she and her fellow passengers were preparing to carry out. They had planned to throw boiling water on the hijackers to attempt to take back control of the plane.

Calm and resolute, she prayed with her spouse before ending the call with a final act of determination, declaring, "We're getting ready to do it now. It's happening!"

Though all 40 passengers and crew members perished when the plane crashed in a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, their resistance is believed to have prevented an even greater catastrophe in Washington, D.C. Lyles's steadfastness that morning epitomized the strength she had shown throughout her life, both in her years on the police force and in her role as a flight attendant.

Over two decades later, her words — whether through a letter to her son's kindergarten teacher or the remembrance of her final calls from the sky — continue to remind the world of her courage, her love, and her unshakable humanity.