Letter from 9/11 Flight Attendant Reaches Her Son 24 Years Later
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, in 2025, 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.
