On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever. It was a day marked by unimaginable tragedy, profound loss, and acts of extraordinary courage. Among the countless stories from that day, one stands out as a timeless reminder of the enduring power of love. It is the story of Brian Sweeney, a passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 175, who, facing his final moments, chose to leave behind a message not of panic or despair, but of deep, unwavering love.
Remembering Brian Sweeney
A Final Message Amid Chaos
Brian Sweeney was a passenger trapped on Flight 175 when it was hijacked and directed toward the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Realizing the fate that awaited them, Sweeney reached for the plane’s seatback phone and left a voicemail for his wife — a message that has since become one of the most poignant artifacts of that tragic day.
“I just want you to know I absolutely love you,” Sweeney said. “I want you to do good, go have good times. Same to my parents and everybody, and I just totally love you, and I’ll see you when you get here.”
It is difficult to fully comprehend the terror of that moment — 24 years ago now — when the unimaginable became reality. Yet, what makes Sweeney’s message so remarkable is not the context of the catastrophe but the composure and clarity with which he spoke. There was no hint of rage or fear. Only love.
Lessons from the Stoics: Love as Strength
Sweeney’s words echo the wisdom of ancient philosophy, particularly Stoicism. Marcus Aurelius, writing nearly two thousand years earlier in Meditations, reflected on the lessons he learned from his teacher Sextus: to be “free of passion and yet full of love.” It is a principle that Sweeney embodied instinctively in his final moments.
Listening to his message today, there is no trace of frenzy or terror. It is free of anger, despair, or bitterness — free of everything except love. That is not weakness; it is profound strength. Love, as Seneca once wrote, “careless of all other things, kindles the soul.” It drives out fear, sharpens resolve, and gives purpose even when all else seems lost.
Choosing Love Over Fear
As the 24th anniversary of 9/11 is remembered, Sweeney’s final message offers more than a glimpse into one man’s last moments — it is a call to live differently. It reminds us that even when circumstances spiral beyond our control, we still have a choice in how we respond. We can choose anger. We can choose fear. Or, like Brian Sweeney, we can choose love.
Let us follow his example. Let us tell the people in our lives — today, not tomorrow — that we absolutely and totally love them. Let us meet adversity not with hatred or despair, but with compassion and courage. Because in the end, there is almost no situation made better by passion, but almost every situation is transformed when it is full of love.
A Legacy That Endures
Brian Sweeney’s voicemail is not just a historical artifact; it is a timeless lesson in humanity. It teaches that even in the darkest moments, love can shine through. It is a testament to the unbreakable bonds that connect us and a reminder that, even when everything else is stripped away, love remains. On this day — and every day — may we honor his legacy by choosing love, over and over again.
