Minutes For Rotary Club of Wichita Falls,
September 10, 2026, by Michael Saville
September 10, 2026, by Michael Saville
President nominee Will Goodner filled in for President Greg today and
called the membership to order just as both clock hands hit noon. Dave
Hartman offered the invocation and reflected on the events of 25 years
ago on Friday, September 11th. Cara Sauceda then came forward and led
us in the Pledge to the Flag. With Patriot Day and a flag day on Friday,
she also led us in singing the first verse of “America the Beautiful.” We
followed this with greetings and salutations to each other in our usual
Rotary fashion.
Ryan Pitchford then introduced his guest, Jacob Eakin, who serves as the
Director of Development & Community Engagement for Hospice of
Wichita Falls. The Brag Bucket was then opened, with Noros making the
rounds. Monica gave us an update on Paulina, who was our exchange
student during the last school year. Paulina had to take exams once back
in her country, and fortunately, she passed and moved on to the next
grade. John Mayfield reminded the flag teams that Air Force members will
be available to assist with the flags on Friday. Ryan told the members that
Hospice will be holding a 9/11 ceremony on Friday and welcomed all to
attend. Will completed the weekly brags with an update on his kiddos.
For announcements, Will reminded the members of a Board Meeting on
September 16 and that donations were still needed to reach the
ShelterBox goal of $1,000. So far, a little less than half that amount has
been donated.
Cara then introduced the day’s program, which featured a unique 9/11
perspective from the cockpit by Hans-Peter “H-P” Scheule. Mr. Scheule is
a former NATO pilot and native of Germany who was the First Officer on
United Airlines Flight 1032 as the events of September 11, 2001,
unfolded.
That date is forever etched into the global consciousness. For some, it
remains a vivid and deeply personal memory; for others, it is history learned
in a classroom. But for the pilots flying commercial airliners that morning,
there was no standard checklist, no manual, and no precedent for the crisis
occurring in the skies.
Because of early morning fog in the Oakland area, UA1032 was
delayed taking off with passengers onboard. The first indication the
delayed taking off with passengers onboard. The first indication the
crew had that anything was abnormal was a cell phone call from H-
P’s wife. Technology at the time was limited compared with today; cell
P’s wife. Technology at the time was limited compared with today; cell
phones were primarily used for calls, and text messaging was
cumbersome at best. There was no internet connectivity that allowed
passengers to search the web on their devices as we do today.
cumbersome at best. There was no internet connectivity that allowed
passengers to search the web on their devices as we do today.
Shortly after that, passengers aboard the aircraft reported receiving
cell phone calls saying that the World Trade Center towers had been
hit. Then UA1032 received a message indicating there was a ground
stop for all aircraft. Shortly thereafter, the FAA issued the historic
mandate for airborne aircraft to land at the nearest airport, regardless
of destination.
UA1032 taxied back to an open gate and deplaned. The crew and
passengers then began the long wait until the skies were safe for air
travel again. Some were able to find other modes of transportation,
but the crew of UA1032 remained stranded for nearly a week until
they were released to fly their aircraft back to its home hub.
This was an event no one had planned for — there were no checklists
for aircrews. Standard checklists existed for engine failures,
decompression, and fires. But for a suicide hijacking threat, pilots had
to develop a different strategy in real time. Communication within the
crew, tactical vigilance, and rapid planning became paramount.
Crews immediately worked to mitigate vulnerabilities, adjusting flight
paths to avoid high-density areas and establishing coded
communication channels.
In all, that day, air traffic controllers guided more than 4,500 aircraft
to safe landings without a single incident.
H-P concluded his presentation by telling the membership that, in his
view, the most realistic movie made about the events of that day is
“United 93.”
Will thanked H-P for his presentation and told him that the club would
be making a donation to the Wichita Falls ISD Foundation in his name.
We then closed the meeting with the Four-Way Test and adjourned a
few minutes before one.