10.22.21 – 9/11 Survivor Tree Planting at APFA Headquarters

Friday, October 22, 2021

9/11 Survivor Tree Planting at APFA Headquarters

Yesterday, the seedling gifted to APFA from the 9/11 Survivor Tree at Ground Zero was planted beside APFA Headquarters. Former APFA Leaders, American Airlines employees from many departments, Police and Fire, and landscapers donating their services from Alpine Tree Service of Southlake, TX, were in attendance. This seedling will serve as a permanent remembrance of those lost during the attacks on 9/11 and will continue to tell a story of survival, resilience, and hope.

The Journey from NYC to DFW

The week of October 11th, the seedling began its journey from the John Bowne High School in Flushing, NY, where students enrolled in the school’s agriculture program ensured the tree’s health. Since the tree was over seven feet tall, transport to DFW would need to be on wide-body aircraft. The tree was carefully packed and transported on a 777 route from JFK-MIA-DFW, with Jennifer Brissette, APFA Historian, and Phillip Delahunty, Assistant to the APFA Secretary.

(click all photos in this hotline to enlarge)

Phillip Delahunty, Jennifer Brissette, and LGA Base President Christian Santana prepared the seedling for transport from Flushing, NY, to DFW.

The Ceremony

On Thursday, October 21, the 9/11 Survivor Tree seedling was planted at APFA Headquarters. In the coming weeks, a plaque will be installed at the base of the tree to commemorate the event:

DCA Base President John Pennel and Police and Firefighters from Euless, TX, assisted with the planting.

More photos of the ceremony as well as videos of the seedling transport from NYC to TX and the planting may be found on the APFA website here.

Many thanks to those who made this day possible:

American Airlines Cargo Team; Chris Mendoza, 9/11 Memorial & Museum; Jim Reid, Longview Graphics; Steve Perry, John Bowne High School; Alpine Tree Service – Southlake, TX; Euless Police Department; Euless Fire Department; APFA Staff

We hope that the tree will serve as a symbol of remembrance and rebirth for years to come. We will never forget those lost on September 11, 2001.

In Solidarity,

Julie Hedrick, National President
Larry Salas, National Vice President
Josh Black, National Secretary
Erik Harris, National Treasurer
Jennifer Brissette, APFA Historian
Phillip Delahunty, Assistant to the APFA Secretary