Ride To Remember 9/11's Forgotten Victims

To some, they are the forgotten heroes of 9/11. The pilots and flight attendants who lost their lives trying to save others aboard the four doomed planes.

But, if Tom Heidenberger has his way, their sacrifices will never be overlooked.

As an airline pilot for 35 years, Capt. Tom Heidenberger has logged thousands of miles in the air. Now, just months away from retiring, he'll travel the country by bike, pedaling a message about 33 men and women who flew on Sept. 11.

Heidenberger's wife Michele was on board American Airlines flight 77 that crashed into the Pentagon. He and others touched by 9/11 will be part of the Airline Ride Across America next month.

The idea came to Heidenberger during a flight last year. "Why it dawned on me in the southern California desert, I don't know. But I thought what a way to honor the 33."

Heidenberger hopes to raise $100,000 for each memorial at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pa.

So, Heidenberger will lead bikers on a cross country trek next month that starts in Los Angeles and ends up at the Pentagon. Each day will be devoted to a member of the 9/11 flight crew.

Riding 100 miles a more each day will be tough. But the hardest part of this ride for Tom Heidenberger will be the last day."

"The last day, it will be for Michele," he said.

He knows there are some tough days ahead. But, he believes 3,300 miles are worth devoting to the crew members who gave their lives that fateful day in September.