The voice behind those steady, heartbreaking words belonged to Brian David Sweeney, a 38-year-old former U.S. Navy pilot, defense contractor, and devoted husband from Spencer, Massachusetts.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, he boarded United Airlines Flight 175 out of Boston, bound for Los Angeles. - The Historian's Den

• When hijackers stormed the cockpit of Flight 175 shortly after takeoff, forcing the plane into a sharp turn toward New York City, Brian didn't panic. 
• Drawing on his military training and instincts, he made his way toward an Airfone on the back of a seatback.

At 8:59 a.m., he dialed home. 

Julie was at work, teaching her class, so the call went to their answering machine...