Los Angeles, U.S.A. — Local celebrities and more than 220 members and supporters of the Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) enjoyed a rare dinner experience Saturday night at its Iron Chef Sakai LIVE event, featuring a multi-course gourmet meal prepared by Japan’s most famous chef, Hiroyuki Sakai, better known as “Iron Chef Sakai”.

The dinner took place at the InterContinental LA Century City at Beverly Hills and it was co-presented by Nitto Tire U.S.A. and the InterContinental LA Century City at Beverly Hills. American Airlines served as the event’s official airline sponsor. Proceeds will benefit the JASSC, an organization established to build meaningful relationships between Japanese and Americans.

Iron Chef is a popular television cooking show produced in Japan by Fuji Television Network “Iron Chef Sakai LIVE” was Fuji Television’s first-ever official Iron Chef event outside of Japan. As each of the six courses were prepared, large screens aired live video of Iron Chef Sakai in the kitchen. Chef Sakai, working side-by-side with the InterContinental LA luxury hotel’s executive chef, Jonathan Wood, also greeted guests and introduced each course. At the conclusion of the dinner, chefs Sakai and Wood posed for photographs with the guests.

Chef Sakai was clearly delighted. “It is a great honor for me to come to Los Angeles and work with Executive Chef Jonathan Wood on this special dinner event,” said Chef Sakai. “It was a lot of work, but the results speak for themselves.”

“In my twenty years at Japan America Society, this was one of our most enjoyable and memorable events,” said JASSC president, Douglas Erber. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime dinner experience for everyone involved, and it introduced a groundbreaking form of ‘dinner show’ entertainment with the guests and chefs interacting with one another through live audio and video.”

“For helping make tonight possible, we have to thank my good friend and mentor, Mitsuhiro Furusawa, a director-general in Japan’s Ministry of Finance,” said Tomoshige Mizutani, president of Nitto Tire U.S.A. “Mr. Furusawa was involved in the 2000 G-7 Finance Ministers’ Summit hosted in Japan where Chef Sakai prepared the meals for the finance ministers and central bank directors.” Mizutani added that Mr. Furusawa persuaded Chef Sakai to visit Los Angeles for the Iron Chef Sakai LIVE event.

Mizutani’s motivation for supporting Iron Chef Sakai LIVE was both to help promote JASSC and to express appreciation for the unprecedented support from America after last year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Nitto Tire U.S.A. has a manufacturing plant in the Sendai area, where its workers and the plant were affected by the disaster.

“Working with Iron Chef Sakai was truly a special experience,” said Mari Miyoshi, president of Sumitomo Realty & Development, U.S.A., owner of the InterContinental LA Century City at Beverly Hills. “Chef Sakai is very humble, and although we just met for the first time, Executive Chef Jonathan Wood and our hotel staff quickly developed an immediate connection and we felt as if we have been working with him for years.”

“American Airlines was honored to be a part of this amazing evening,” said Nancy Matsui, national sales director at American Airlines.  “We welcome Chef Sakai’s return to the city of Los Angeles anytime.”

It was clear from the enthusiastic reactions from the evening’s dinner guests that they, too, will welcome Chef Sakai back to Los Angeles.

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New York, U.S.A. — American Airlines and Broadway will join forces on Thursday, June 21, to celebrate LGBT Pride at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with special performances from Bette Midler’s outrageous Broadway musical, Priscilla.

The cast of Priscilla will perform a selection of hits inside the secure area at Terminal 8, delighting customers with music from the show. American Airlines will host two free performances at its JFK terminal at 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Priscilla stars Jacqueline B. Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey, Ellyn Marie Marsh and Bryan West, who will perform ‘Like a Prayer,’ ‘Diva Medley,’ and ‘We Belong.’

“We are pleased to host the cast of Priscilla as we treat customers to this special performance and celebrate Pride month,” said Tim Ahern, American’s Vice President – New York and International. “We are very proud of our history of support for both LGBT customers and employees and are excited to bring this show to JFK as a fun way to celebrate this rich history.”

For nearly two decades, American Airlines has been a pioneer in its fair-minded policies and practices for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) customers and employees. American has consistently held the highest possible ranking on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and remains the most gay-friendly of all U.S. airlines. Through its generous partnerships with the LGBT community, as well as its loyalty and respect for customers, employees and stakeholders, American demonstrates its unfaltering commitment to diversity.

“We know that all our customers, including gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people, have many choices when it comes to travel. We want their business and we will work to earn it,” said Mike McKanna, American’s General Manager – JFK Airport.

Priscilla tells the story of three best friends on the wildest road trip eve, with more than 500 dazzling costumes and a hit parade of dance-floor favorites, including “It’s Raining Men” and “I Will Survive.” The show concludes its Broadway run with a final performance at the Palace Theatre in New York on June 24. For more information on the show, please visit http://www.priscillaonbroadway.com/.

American Airlines Terminal 8 at JFK Airport combines the latest technology enhancements to offer a world-class facility for today’s travelers. The spacious $1.3 billion Terminal 8 – which covers 1.5 million square feet – is the largest single-airline terminal at JFK. It offers two Admirals Club lounges and a Flagship Lounge, in addition to 53,000 square feet of retail space offering duty-free shopping and world-renowned brands.

American Airlines has served the New York market for more than 80 years and is the Official Airline of more than 30 theaters in New York City. With a keen understanding of the needs of New York customers, the airline offers a global route network augmented by its ONEworld alliance membership and joint business partnerships; its state-of-the-art international terminal at JFK International Airport; the AAdvantage loyalty program, the world’s first frequent flyer program; and a long-standing commitment to the Greater New York community. For travel tips and more information on visiting New York, please visitwww.AA.com/NYC.

Image Courtesy of  Christopher Parypa / Shutterstock.com

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American Airlines has applauded the Obama Administration’s initiatives to increase travel and tourism to the United States and within our nation’s borders.

“The initiatives set forth and outlined today by the Obama Administration will definitely benefit all who work in the nation’s travel and tourism industry, which can only add jobs and strengthen the economy,” said Tom Horton, American’s Chairman and CEO. “President Obama is to be commended for his leadership in this effort.

“We have long advocated for enhancements to the distribution of non-immigrant visas in such important emerging markets as Brazil and China and have told the Administration that improving the process will not only allow more tourists to visit but create travel and tourism jobs in the United States. Increasing non-immigrant visa capacity in China and Brazil by 40 percent and ensuring that 80 percent of those applicants interviewed receive their visas within three weeks is a laudable goal,” said Horton.

“Additionally, the new pilot program that was announced to simplify and expedite the non-immigrant visa process for certain applicants and the opportunity for low-risk applicants to have visa interviews waived is exciting news.

“We also applaud the Administration for its initiative to expand the Visa Waiver Program to include more participants and assist more travelers through an expansion of trusted traveler programs such as the Global Entry program, which truly enhances the customer experience when passengers are able to expedite customs and immigration processing,” Horton added.

“Creating a task force to recommend ways to promote domestic and international travel opportunities for U.S. citizens and promoting visits to our nation’s parks, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites also will have a positive effect on the transportation industry,” said Horton.

American operates a daily flight to Beijing and Shanghai from its cornerstone hub in Chicago and a daily flight to Shanghai from Los Angeles. American also operates flights from Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami and New York JFK each day to Brazil. American serves Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Salvador Bahia,Recife and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

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American Airlines and two of its fellow Oneworld members, British Airways and Iberia, are offering special discounted fares between the United States and Europe as low as USD $250 each way, based on round-trip Economy Class travel purchased on AA.com. Taxes and fees are additional. Travel must originate in the United States.

Book now, as tickets for these special fares will go quickly and must be purchased by Jan. 24. Fares must be purchased at least seven days prior to travel. Sale fares are valid for outbound travel through April 1, 2012. All travel at these fares must be completed by Sept. 26, 2012. Return travel blackout dates are June 14 through Aug. 14, 2012. Other restrictions apply.

The special promotional fares are valid for travel between the U.S. and Europe Monday through Thursday; other days are subject to higher fares. Fares are valid for travel between the United States and United Kingdom Monday through Wednesday; other days are subject to higher fares. A Saturday night stay is required, and the maximum stay allowed is 180 days.

Here are some sample fares for Economy Class travel on the off-peak days identified above. The fares shown are each way based on round-trip travel and include surcharges. A portion of, or all travel for some itineraries, may be operated by American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, American Eagle or the AmericanConnection carrier under Chautauqua Airlines:

Boston – London $250
Chicago – Paris $306
Dallas/Fort Worth – Dublin $310
Los Angeles – London $291
New York – Manchester, UK $250
New York – London $250
Miami – Madrid $287
New York – Brussels $308
New York – Rome $358

Travelers can check schedules and fares and book on www.AA.com. AA.com has the absolute lowest fares – guaranteed – available for American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection carrier flights.

Taxes, Fees and Conditions

Fares do not include (a) a federal excise tax of $3.80 per U.S. domestic flight segment, defined as one takeoff and landing, of a passenger’s itinerary; (b) up to $18 per round trip in local airport charges; and (c) September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. For international/Puerto Rico/USVI destinations, government taxes and fees of up to $240, varying by destination, are not included and may vary slightly depending on currency exchange rates at the time of purchase.

Fares are subject to change without notice. International fares are subject to government approval.

Ticketing/Travel – Tickets must be purchased seven days prior to departure but not later than 11:59 p.m. Jan. 24, 2012 (Central Time). Fares are valid for travel beginning Jan. 18, 2012, through April 1, 2012. A Saturday-night minimum stay is required, and a 180-day maximum stay is allowed. Tickets must be issued 24 hours after reservations are made.

Blackout Dates: Embargo dates are June 14 to Aug. 14, 2012.

Seats are limited. Fares may not be available on all flights. Schedules are subject to change without notice.

Fares are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Changes to your ticket may be made if you meet the restrictions of the new fare and pay up to a $275 fee plus any fare difference.

Changes must be made before your ticketed flight’s scheduled departure time. If you cancel your flight prior to the scheduled departure time, the ticket will be valid for one year from the date of issue for an unused ticket or one year from travel origination for a partially used ticket. If you do not cancel your flight prior to the scheduled departure time, the ticket has no value.

A portion of or all travel for some itineraries may be operated by American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, American Eagle or the AmericanConnection carrier: American Eagle is operated by American Eagle Airlines, or Executive Airlines, which are wholly-owned by AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines. AmericanConnection service is operated by Chautauqua Airlines, an independent contractor.

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AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, Inc. and AMR Eagle Holding Corporation, announced that in order to achieve a cost and debt structure that is industry competitive and thereby assure its long-term viability and ability to continue delivering a world-class travel experience for its customers, the Company and certain of its U.S.-based subsidiaries, including American and American Eagle, today filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

AMR’s Board of Directors determined that a Chapter 11 reorganization is in the best interest of the Company and its stakeholders. Just as with the Company’s major airline competitors in recent years, the Chapter 11 process enables American Airlines and American Eagle to continue conducting normal business operations while they restructure their debt, costs and other obligations.

American Airlines and American Eagle are operating normal flight schedules, and their reservations, customer service, and all other operations are conducting business as usual. Likewise, throughout the Chapter 11 process, American and American Eagle expect to continue to:

• Provide safe and reliable service;
• Fly normal schedules;
• Honor tickets and reservations, and make exchanges and refunds as usual;
• Fully maintain AAdvantage frequent flyer and other customer service programs, and ensure all AAdvantage miles and elites status earned by members remain secure and intact;
• Provide Admirals Club access and similar amenities to members and eligible customers;
• Remain an integral member of the oneworld alliance, of which American is a founding member, and continue its codeshare partnerships;
• Provide employee wages, healthcare coverage, vacation, and other benefits, without interruption; and
• Pay suppliers for goods and services received during the reorganization process.

These filings have no direct legal impact on American’s operations outside the United States. Thomas W. Horton, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of AMR and American Airlines, said, “This was a difficult decision, but it is the necessary and right path for us to take – and take now – to become a more efficient, financially stronger, and competitive airline.

“We have met our challenges head on, taking all possible action to secure our long-term position. In recent years, even as the airline industry faced unprecedented challenges, American strengthened our domestic and global network; fortified our alliances with the best partners around the world; launched a transformational fleet deal that will give American the youngest and most efficient fleet in the industry; and invested in our product, service and technology to build a world class customer experience.

“But as we have made clear with increasing urgency in recent weeks, we must address our cost structure, including labor costs, to enable us to capitalize on these foundational strengths and secure our future.

Our very substantial cost disadvantage compared to our larger competitors, all of which restructured their costs and debt through Chapter 11, has become increasingly untenable given the accelerating impact of global economic uncertainty and resulting revenue instability, volatile and rising fuel prices, and intensifying competitive challenges.

“Our Board decided that it was necessary to take this step now to restore the Company’s profitability, operating flexibility, and financial strength. We are committed to working as quickly and efficiently as possible to appropriately restructure American so that it can emerge from Chapter 11 well-positioned to assure the Company’s long term viability and its ability to compete effectively in the marketplace,” Horton stated.

Horton continued, “Throughout the restructuring process, as always, our customers remain our top priority and they can continue to depend on us for the safe, reliable travel and high quality service they know and expect from us. We intend to maintain a strong presence in domestic and international markets, including our cornerstones in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

As we and all airlines routinely do, we will continue to evaluate our operations and service, assuring that our network is as efficient and productive as possible. ”Achieving the competitive cost structure we need remains a key imperative in this process and, as one part of that, we plan to initiate further negotiations with all of our unions to reduce our labor costs to competitive levels.”

“American Airlines has a strong, proud history and we will have a successful future. Working through this difficult, but necessary action and process, I am confident we will succeed in enhancing our reputation as a global leader known for excellence and innovation, a travel partner customers seek out, and a carrier that serves communities throughout the world,” Horton concluded.

The Company has approximately $4.1 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments. This cash, as well as cash generated from operations, is anticipated to be more than sufficient to assure that its vendors, suppliers and other business partners will be paid timely and in full for goods and services provided during the Chapter 11 process in accordance with customary terms.

Because of the Company’s current cash position, the need for debtor-in-possession financing is neither considered necessary nor anticipated. American is filing motions with the Court seeking interim relief that will ensure the Company’s continued ability to conduct normal operations, including the ability to:

• Provide employee wages, healthcare coverage, vacation, and other  benefits without interruption;
• Honor pre-petition obligations to customers and continue customer programs including American’s AAdvantage frequent flyer program;
• Pay for fuel under existing fuel supply contracts, and honor existing fuel supply, distribution and storage agreements; and
• Assume and honor contracts relating to interline agreements with other airlines.

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The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International President Veda Shook issued the following statement today after AMR, the parent company of American Eagle and American Airlines, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

“As details emerge regarding the restructuring of American Eagle and American Airlines, AFA is prepared to represent the best interests of the American Eagle Flight Attendants. The AFA leadership at American Eagle is fully engaged in responding to the bankruptcy filing and, along with our financial and legal advisors, will monitor developments closely.

We also are committed to working closely with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, coordinating efforts as we protect our Flight Attendant careers. ”AFA will continue to defend the jobs, pay and benefits for the over 1,500 Flight Attendants at American Eagle.

We are committed to protecting American Eagle Flight Attendants, ensuring the long-term success of the airline and working swiftly through the bankruptcy process with as little disruption as possible. Today’s filing does not change pay, benefits or working conditions for Flight Attendants as their contract remains intact.

“Flight Attendants will continue our work as the safety professionals we are proud to be.  We will work closely with all of our fellow front-line workers and their unions throughout the bankruptcy.  As members of AFA, American Eagle Flight Attendants remain proud of the contributions they make daily to the airline.

Chapter 11 is not an excuse to lay failed business decisions on the backs of the hard-working Flight Attendants.  Pure and simple: Flight Attendants and other front-line workers are the airline’s greatest asset and they should be recognized and respected as such. ”AFA will ensure Flight Attendants play an integral role in the reshaping and rebuilding of American Eagle.

AFA and our team of bankruptcy experts will work tirelessly to see that creative solutions are utilized throughout this process.  We know — and management knows — what happens when a carrier fights with its workers in bankruptcy. The key to successful bankruptcy reorganization is commitment to working together toward a strong future.

“AFA has vast experience in restructuring and we have been successful in preserving our profession along the way. With AFA’s legal and collective bargaining experience, American Eagle Flight Attendants have industry-leading resources at their disposal.”

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American Airlines, Inc. announced that its parent company, AMR Corporation, and certain United States-based subsidiaries today voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 reorganization under United States law. American took this action in order to achieve a cost and debt structure that is competitive in the airline industry so that it can continue delivering a world-class travel experience for its customers.

American expects to continue normal business operations throughout the reorganization process, and the business will continue to be operated by the Company’s management. The United States Chapter 11 reorganization process enables a company to maintain normal business operations while it establishes a competitive cost and debt structure. This action has no direct legal impact on any American Airlines operations outside the United States.

American Airlines is operating normal flight schedules, honoring tickets and reservations as usual, and making normal refunds and exchanges. American’s AAdvantage frequent flyer program is not affected. American remains part of the oneworld alliance, of which it is a founding member, and all of its codeshare partnerships continue, enabling customers to earn and redeem miles on convenient flight options worldwide.

“American’s customers are always our top priority and they can continue to depend on us for the safe, reliable travel and high quality service they know and expect from us,” said Thomas W. Horton, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of AMR and American Airlines.

“American serves 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories, and we are committed to maintaining a strong presence in worldwide markets. I am confident American will emerge even stronger as a global leader known for excellence and innovation, a travel partner customers seek out, and a carrier that serves communities throughout the world.”

Passenger risks

Many passengers are left with questions as to what protections they have in the event American Airlines fails. FlyersRights.org have produced the following advice:

• There is risk that your ticket will not be honored by AA should their restructuring fail.
• If you have frequent flyer miles, book your trip now, preferably on a code-share partner of AA that is not at risk of bankruptcy.
• Ticket holders are unsecured creditors, last on the list of creditors, so if AA shuts their doors there will be little to NO relief for affected ticket holders.
• Reciprocity rules, under which airlines were required to honor other airlines’ tickets in cases such as this, expired in 2007. Ticket holders will be left holding the bag if AA does fall.
• Some airlines may have insurance to guard against passenger loss in this situation, but we don’t know if American Airlines has insurance that would cover the kind of volume that AA would have to cover if they fail entirely.
• American Airlines’ refusal to take bailouts was admirable. They wanted complete management control with no government intervention, but it appears that need for control was fatal.
• It appears that they filed bankruptcy because of high labor costs and extremely large management bonuses.   FlyersRights hopes that other air carriers will take note.

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American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, has launched round-trip service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Watertown International Airport in Watertown, N.Y. The 12 round-trip flights per week will be operated with 44-seat Embraer jets.

“We’re pleased to introduce the first scheduled jet service to Watertown from our cornerstone hub in Chicago,” said Gary Foss, Vice President – Planning and Marketing for American’s regional network.

“This schedule will allow customers from Jefferson County to make a day trip to Chicago for business or connect through this key international gateway to destinations throughout the American Airlines and oneworld® global network. We are especially eager to provide convenient air service for military personnel and other visitors traveling to and from the U.S. Army base at nearby Fort Drum.”

“This is great news for the development of both the economy and infrastructure in Jefferson County,” said Congressman Bill Owens. “With American Eagle now operating out of Watertown, the area will become even more attractive for businesses that are looking to relocate or expand, putting more New Yorkers back to work in the process.”

“Our ability to offer affordable nonstop jet service to Chicago O’Hare will greatly enhance our air traffic volume here in Watertown,” said Barry Ormbsy, Chairman, Airport Committee – Jefferson County Board of Legislators. “With the commencement of this important commercial service, Jefferson County has now met yet another of its many ambitious airport development goals and, in so doing, further enhanced economic development opportunities for our region.”

“We are so excited that American Eagle has made its way to our North Country airways, just in time forThanksgiving and Christmas flyers traveling to and from Watertown,” said Carolyn Fitzpatrick, Chairwoman of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators. “This is an especially great opportunity for ourFort Drum soldiers and their families who already have a well-established flying history with American Airlines.”

Customers can earn double miles for travel between Watertown and Chicago for travel between Nov. 17 and Feb. 15, 2012 through the AAdvantage program. The AAdvantage program was established in 1981, the first of its kind, and now has more than 62 million members.

Members can earn miles at more than 1,000 participating companies, which include more than 30 hotel chains representing more than 60 brands, more than 20 airlines, eight car-rental companies, 10 financial companies, and over 350 brand name retailers. In addition, members can earn miles when making purchases with one of more than 100 affinity card products in over 40 countries.

In 2009, AAdvantage members redeemed more than 150 billion miles to claim more than 6.9 million awards for flights, upgrades and car rentals.

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Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the most devastating terrorist attack on American soil in modern times. Countless ceremonies, gatherings and events will take place around the U.S. and world to honor approximately 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

On Sunday, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and other city officials, will dedicate the newly built 9/11 Memorial at the site where the World Trade Center (WTC) towers once stood, according to American City & Country. “We had to design a memorial that would stand the test of time — and design the space that our city would need to grow and prosper,” Bloomberg said Tuesday at breakfast in Lower Manhattan sponsored by the Association for a Better New York. “I believe that history will record that we accomplished both.”

Bloomberg’s words are evidence of the perseverance that U.S. leaders and citizens have demonstrated in the years which followed the deadly events of 9/11.

On September 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., a hijacked American Airlines (AA) Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. A mere 17 minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., hijacked United Airlines (UA) Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the WTC.  At 9:37 a.m., hijacked AA Flight 77 flew into the west wall of the Pentagon. At 10 a.m., the hijacked UA Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shaksville, Pennsylvania. The passengers and crew attempted to retake control of the plane which was believed to be traveling toward the White House.

According to The District of Columbia Website, a candlelight service will take place at the First Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. to honor the lives lost in the plane crash at the Pentagon.

President Obama and Vice President Biden will visit the crash site in Shaksville Sunday. Biden will later attend the dedication in New York. Obama will attend ceremonies in D.C., according to the New York Daily News.

Many will take a moment Sunday to remember the servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives while responding to the terrorist attacks.

Police and firefighters in New York, and all around the U.S., are expected to observe a national Moment of Remembrance of the 9/11 attacks by sounding their police and firefighters sirens and bells, according to the Jackson County Times-Journal. At precisely 1 p.m EDT, bells will sound for a minute. Frank Lautenberg, U.S. Senator of New Jersey, encouraged the public to participate. “’This Moment of Remembrance’” will be a symbol of solidarity throughout the county and across the country. We must never forget what happened on that tragic day,” Lautenberg said.

Other individuals are sharing their perspectives and memories of 9/11 through a quieter, solitary activity – writing.

In post on the Foundry website, a Conservative policy news blog from the Heritage Foundation, Jessica Zuckerman reflects on how the events of 9/11 shaped the world for many young Americans. “I was barely a teenager on 9/11, but these memories will stay with me forever,” Zuckerman said. “For many in my generation, the events of September 11, 2001 shattered our naiveté and changed our perspective of the world. Coming of age in the War on Terror, we were defined by it.” Zuckerman said that after 9/11 her dreams of becoming a doctor or a teacher were replaced with an interest in the hot topic of homeland security and counterterrorism.

In an opinion piece written for the Washington Times, Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, of San Deigo, expressed outrage that the memorial for Flight 93, in Pennsylvania, has not been completed due to a lack of funding. “Flight 93 is an afterthought in the narrative of 9/11 and it shouldn’t be,” Falkenthal said.

Linda Paul, a guest columist for OregonLive, recalls her experience being inside the Pentagon when the airplane struck the building. “When the plane struck us, there was a single loud boom, more like a solid but muffled thud and the office shuddered, identical to the shudder of an earthquake,” Paul said. “I looked back to see the giant black cloud of smoke hovering over the building. I thought, ‘They’re killing us with our own damn airplanes.’ I may have said this aloud.”

Storytelling is a tool that many organizations are encouraging people to use in an effort to unite Americans and to honor the lives lost on 9/11.

The Washington Informer is inviting people to submit their stories of 9/11 along with photos to be added to the “Informer’s 9/11 Anniversary section.” One person who contributed to the Informer said, “That evening, I did nothing but watch television news and read the special edition of the Post. I knew that America would never be the same from then on.”

According to the Huffington Post, even the cooking community has come together to share their 9/11 experiences. The Food Republic interviewed 8 New York Chefs about that horrific morning. ”I remember while walking over the [Queensboro] Bridge, this one somber moment when someone, who clearly was from Ground Zero, covered in white dust, with a blank stare, was walking on the bridge,” said Bryan Voltaggio, chef at VOLT restaurant.

Similarly, StoryCorps, a nonprofit organization, “whose mission is to provide Americans…with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives,” dedicated space on their website for the oral telling of 9/11 stories. StoryCorps hopes to record one story for every life lost on 9/11.

“It was Christine’s first trip in an airplane,” Lee Hanson said during his recording for StoryCorp. He and his wife, Eunice Hanson, lost three family members on 9/11 – they were passengers on UA Flight 175.

According to Kirsti A. Dyer MD, a fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, our stories can strengthen us. “Storytelling can be regarded as one of the oldest healing arts; it has been used for centuries as a universal, useful way for the grieving person to cope with loss” Dyer said. “Telling the story can provide the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of one’s experiences.”

Codi Schneider, a 7 year-old at the time of 9/11, remembers the towers crumbling on TV and his father predicting the Air Force would send him to war soon, the Associated Press said. Codi’s father, an Air Force Chief Master, served in Iraq and was responsible for disarming enemy booby traps. Now a teenager, Codi said the years since 9/11 have been full of nightmares. He often wakes up screaming in the middle of the night.

According to the AP, Codi said he doesn’t want to be in the Air Force like his father. He wants to be a filmmaker or maybe a journalist when he grows up. “Whatever I do when I’m older,” Codi said “I want to tell people my story.”

While ceremonies to remember 9/11 will be the focus of Sunday for many Americans, the U.S. Homeland Security Department will be on alert in light of recent terrorist threats.

Image courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/6120234023/

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Thomas Stuker, a 58 years old American businessman, has been rewarded for his loyalty to the airline company “United Airlines” after accumulating 10 million air miles.

For 29 years this salesman has boarded 5,962 United Airlines flights and flown the equivalent of 400 times around the globe. As a result he will never have to queue at airports, always get upgraded, and a plane has been named after him.

In 2009, Thomas Stuker was already United’s top flier.  As he remarked at Time magazine at the time, “when I call the 800 number in Michigan, most of the time I don’t even have to introduce myself, they know me. I got my own 1-800 KISS MY ASS hotline”.

Before been rewarded for the ten million miles, Stuker had also enjoyed elite services during his flights over the years. As he explained at the Time´s interview, he enjoyed $500 of free wine one Christmas and another time, a gourmet dinner at Chicago’s Tru for two (“They even let me pick the wine, which they might not do again”). He even had a United-sponsored appearance as a diner on Seinfeld (“I just sat there; they didn’t want me to talk”).

In the interview at the outlet media he stated that when he reaches the 10 million miles he will do it in style. “It won’t be on a flight to Des Moines or Omaha, I’ll take a bus before I cross the mark on one of those flights. It’s going to be an international flight, probably Europe with my girlfriend. I’m going to plot it out exactly and know when I hit it. And hell yeah, there is going to be champagne.”

However, sometimes life is not exactly as people expect it. Plans can change. Now, three years after that interview, Stuker has made his dream come true but not as he wished. Mr Stuker reached the milestone after arriving to his native Chicago, not to Europe, on the 9th of July.

Despite this great achievement before boarding the flight to Chicago, Mr Stuker admitted that many years ago he was scared to death of flying. “I couldn’t get on an aircraft, it really bothered me,” he told America’s National Public Radio.”But now it’s evolved to a time where if I go a week without a flight something’s not right.”

“Up in the air” goes down to the earth

Mr Stuker´s feat may resemble the movie “Up in the Air” starring George Clooney. However, in this case it seems that reality doesn´t go above and beyond fiction.  In the film when Bingham (played by George Clooney) hits his 10 million-mile goal during a flight from Chicago to Omaha he receives a surprise champagne celebration onboard, and American Airlines’ chief pilot appears for a congratulatory sit-down visit.

Bingham also receives an instant upgrade: a personally engraved metal card that will allow him to directly access his own private operator, someone who will greet him by name.

As Stuker, other people have hit this milestone before him. Unfortunately, non of them have received as good services as Clooney does in his movie. In 2007, Phillip Dunkelberger, the president of a data protection firm, went over 10 million miles in his flight to Zurich. As he stated to the Time magazine, ”I knew this trip would put me over 10 million miles.”

According to Dunkelberger, his Executive Platinum status with American is “pretty sweet”. Among its advantages on the one hand, it offers upgrades, lounge access and a 100% flight mileage bonus (meaning he doubles his miles with each trip). On the other hand, if he wants to keep these privileges he must also hit certain mileage marks each year.

Another American that once crisscrossed the skies reaching the ten million miles is Jerold Solovy, who had been flying American Airlines for 64 years.  He cannot even remember when he crossed the 10 million mile mark. “I wasn’t keeping track,” he said to Time magazine. “American Airlines wrote me a nice letter. They advised me I crossed. They keep me posted.”

He admitted that he expected more than a letter. Still, he was proud of the status it affords him. “I go to O’Hare and LaGuardia and they treat me royally. I know everyone and they are very nice to me,” said Solovy.

Real life doesn’t provide definitely the amazing party that Clooney enjoys for actual 10 million miles, though certainly get treated well.  With the rewards points all of them can travel to any international destination several times a year. And what it is more important as Solovy said to the Time magazine, “I don’t know what they did for Mr. Clooney; for me I get good service, they get me where I want to go and when I want to get there.”

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