EXCLUSIVE: Todd Beamer’s Dad on His Son’s Iconic Words ‘Let’s Roll’ and the 9/11 Legacy

The phrase “Let’s roll,” anchored by the actions of ordinary citizens placed in an extraordinary circumstance, has become a source of inspiration for Americans.

More than 500 Marines and Sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and USS Belleau Wood commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Sept. 6, 2002, by spelling out the now famous quote from Todd Beamer, on the flight deck of the ship. Beamer was one of the passengers on United Flight 93, which crashed in a western Pennsylvania field after he and several other passengers attempted to regain control of the plane from terrorist hijackers. Mate Steven L. Cooke/U.S. Navy/Getty Images

Seeing a neighbor play wiffle ball with his two small sons recently brought a smile to David Beamer’s face as he recalled times with his own son, Todd Beamer, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a Pennsylvania field.

Ordinary fathers and sons going off to a little league baseball game or practicing pitching and hitting are sights that fill Mr. David Beamer, 81, with cherished but bittersweet memories.