Paul Veneto, a former flight attendant, is on an extraordinary journey. Pushing a beverage cart like those used on airplanes, Veneto walks more than 200 miles from Boston’s Logan Airport to Ground Zero in New York City. Investigative reporter Jeff Derderian emphasizes that this isn’t just any journey but a deeply personal mission. Veneto, who worked as a flight attendant on that fateful day, is doing this trek in honor of the colleagues he lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
His chosen mode of transportation is symbolic. The beverage cart, weighing around 60 pounds, directly represents his life in the skies, where flight attendants work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort. As Veneto pushes the cart along highways and through small towns, he is greeted by well-wishers, supported by local police and fire departments, and cheered on by community members. With every step, he carries with him the memory of his colleagues and the immense weight of what they experienced on September 11.
A Journey of Remembrance
Veneto’s journey is not just physical; it’s an emotional pilgrimage of remembrance, healing, and tribute. His mission is simple yet powerful: to ensure that the public never forgets the sacrifices made by the flight attendants on the four planes that were hijacked on September 11. These men and women, who Veneto refers to as the “first, first responders,” were the first to confront the terrorists and attempt to protect the passengers on board.
“I don’t know what the words are, but I know it’s something that’s driving me,” Veneto said, expressing the depth of his emotions as he embarks on this trek. His journey is driven by a profound sense of duty, both to his fallen colleagues and to the legacy of 9/11.
For Veneto, this is not the first time he has made such a trek. In fact, his annual walk from Boston to New York has become a personal tradition, one that he has dedicated himself to with unwavering commitment. Every year, he retraces the steps that connect Logan Airport, where two of the hijacked planes took off, to Ground Zero, where so many lives were lost and where the nation’s collective grief is still palpable.
Honoring the First Responders in the Sky
Veneto’s mission is rooted in his belief that flight attendants were the first responders on that horrific day. In the chaos and confusion of the attacks, the flight attendants aboard the four hijacked planes acted with bravery, courage, and a sense of duty that has largely gone unrecognized in the years since. Veneto wants to change that.
He emphasizes the critical role that flight attendants played in the moments leading up to the crashes. They were the first to face the terrorists, the first to attempt to protect the passengers, and in some cases, the ones who relayed crucial information to authorities on the ground. Despite their efforts, their bravery is often overshadowed by the broader narrative of 9/11.
For Veneto, ensuring that their heroism is not forgotten has become his life’s work. “They were the first people to fight back,” he says, underscoring the importance of remembering their courage.
Community Support and the Power of Solidarity
As Veneto makes his way along his 200+ mile route, he is far from alone. Local police and fire departments frequently escort him, ensuring his safety and honoring his mission. Community members line the streets, cheering him on, offering him water, food, and words of encouragement. Veneto is often met with applause, hugs, and tears from those who are deeply moved by his dedication.
The journey, which takes him several days to complete, is a physical challenge. But Veneto, who is in his 60s, takes it all in stride. His mind is focused on a higher purpose, and the support he receives along the way fuels his determination to complete the trek.
The outpouring of support from communities across Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York is a testament to the enduring legacy of 9/11. While two decades have passed since that tragic day, the memory of those lost remains strong. Veneto’s journey serves as a reminder that the events of 9/11 continue to impact lives, and the solidarity that emerged in the aftermath of the attacks is still present today.
Keeping the Memory Alive
For Veneto, this walk is about more than just paying tribute—it’s about keeping the memory of 9/11 alive. In a time when many younger generations were not yet born or were too young to remember the events of that day, his mission is to ensure that the sacrifices made by flight attendants and others are not forgotten.
“I made it my own personal priority to make sure that people do not forget what I call the first, first responders in the sky on Sept. 11,” Veneto says. He believes that by doing this walk, he is contributing to the ongoing education and awareness surrounding the events of that day.
As he pushes his beverage cart through towns and cities, Veneto is not just retracing the steps between Boston and New York—he is carrying forward a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and unity. His walk is a reminder that in the face of unimaginable tragedy, there are always stories of heroism and resilience that deserve to be told.
A Legacy of Heroism
Paul Veneto’s journey from Logan Airport to Ground Zero is more than a tribute; it’s a symbol of perseverance, dedication, and the power of remembrance. Through his annual trek, Veneto ensures that the flight attendants who lost their lives on 9/11 are remembered as the heroes they were.
By pushing a simple beverage cart more than 200 miles, he is carrying their memory into the future, ensuring that their bravery is never forgotten.