Air Force Captain Hanna Born is undertaking a 2,977-mile journey, dedicating each mile to one of the lives lost during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Born, who was a toddler in the Pentagon's daycare center when hijacked Flight 77 struck the building, aims to ensure the memory of the victims endures beyond annual commemorations.
Born began this personal mission before the anniversary of 9/11 last year and has since completed nearly 1,000 miles. She describes the endeavor as an "enduring promise" to those who perished. "I want to do something that lasts longer than just the anniversary of September 11th, and I want to do something that’s personal in a way that matters to everyone who is still here and still impacted by what they lost that day and who they lost on that day," Born stated.
Her journey involves running a mile for each of the 2,977 victims. As she runs, Born proclaims the name of each individual out loud, documenting and sharing this process with her social media followers. She noted a concern that younger generations and many of her peers are losing their connection to the tragedy, and that the promise to "never forget" associated with 9/11 seems to be fading.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Born, then just shy of her third birthday, was with her four-month-old sister in the Pentagon's daycare center. The attack occurred at 9:37 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building. While her memories of the day are fragmented, she recalls playing with dance ribbons before the alarms sounded and being evacuated by soldiers who carried infants out in cribs. A clear memory from the day is being reunited with her father.
Born's mother, a squadron commander at Bolling Air Force Base, immediately joined the response efforts. "My parents always made it very clear that it was a traumatic experience, but our family was very fortunate that day because we were united and a lot of people were not, unfortunately, given that same outcome," Born said.
Her parents helped her process the lingering trauma by focusing on the heroism and selflessness displayed during the attack, rather than solely on the horrors. Both Born and her sister, Heather, were inspired by their parents' service to join the military. Born is an instructor pilot in the Air Force, and her sister is stationed with the Navy in Okinawa.
Born anticipates the 2,977-mile mission will take approximately three years. She incorporates longer runs and events, such as Ironman triathlons and the upcoming New York City Marathon, into her schedule. Additionally, she is using her platform to raise funds for the 9/11 Legacy Foundation, an organization dedicated to educating future generations about the attacks. Her hope is that by speaking the names of the lost, families will feel supported, and younger generations will understand the profound personal and historical impact of that day.