The handwritten note, preserved by Castrillo’s former kindergarten teacher, praised his reading skills and offered a rare personal connection to his mother decades after her death.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — In a moment that is at once heartwarming and haunting, Jevon Castrillo, 30, a new father, received a handwritten letter from his mother, CeeCee Lyles, over two decades after she was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The letter, written just months before Lyles boarded the doomed United Airlines Flight 93, had been preserved by Castrillo’s former kindergarten teacher and delivered to him recently, stirring deep emotions and memories for the father of a three-month-old child.

CeeCee Lyles, a retired police officer from Fort Pierce, had transitioned into a career as a flight attendant, dedicating herself to both public service and aviation.

On September 11, 2001, she was among the 40 passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93, which was hijacked by al-Qaeda terrorists. The flight ultimately crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board.

Flight 93’s passengers and crew, including Lyles, are credited with thwarting a potential attack on Washington, D.C., by attempting to regain control of the aircraft.

The letter, dated March 2001, was addressed to Castrillo’s kindergarten teacher, Tammy Thurman, and praised young Jevon’s reading progress. “Dear Ms. Thurman, Jevon read a book last night that he brought home from the library.

He read it from cover to cover. I told him I would write you a note and tell you what an outstanding job he did. We are very proud of him and will continue to work with him at home. Again, thank you for your dedication and courage for the job that you do.

Cee Cee Lyles,” the letter read. Castrillo, who was only in elementary school at the time of his mother’s death, said the note felt “like something she would definitely say,” bringing both tears and a sense of profound connection to her.

Thurman, who had kept the letter safe through multiple school relocations, said she understood the importance of returning the personal note to Castrillo, now a father himself.

“As a mom, I know you need to see those words from your mom. She was a wonderful woman and you were a wonderful student,” Thurman said. The letter now serves as both a tribute to Lyles’ care as a mother and a tangible connection to a life tragically cut short.

Lyles’ final moments are etched into the history of 9/11. On the day of the attacks, she attempted to contact her family as chaos unfolded aboard Flight 93.

Initially reaching her husband’s voicemail, she remained calm under extraordinary pressure. In a voicemail recorded at 9:47 a.m., she explained the hijacking situation and expressed love for her family.

By 10 a.m., she had reached her husband directly and discussed plans with other passengers to regain control of the plane, including improvised defensive measures against the hijackers.

Minutes later, the passengers’ courageous efforts culminated in the plane’s crash at 10:03 a.m., preventing the terrorists from reaching their intended target in Washington, D.C.

Flight 93 is often the least remembered of the four planes involved in the 9/11 attacks, yet its story is one of remarkable heroism.

Todd Beamer, another passenger, famously encouraged fellow travelers with the words, “Are you guys ready? Okay. Let’s roll!” before the line went dead.

Lyles’ involvement in the effort to confront the hijackers has been commemorated by memorials and public tributes, including a statue erected in her likeness in Fort Pierce.

Castrillo, now navigating the early months of fatherhood, described the receipt of his mother’s letter as deeply emotional. It provided a rare, tangible link to a mother he barely remembered, who had sacrificed her life in an act of bravery.

Holding the faded paper, he reflected on Lyles’ love and guidance, finding solace in her enduring words. “It felt like something she would definitely say,” he said, his voice tinged with both grief and gratitude.

The letter also highlights Lyles’ dedication to education and parenting. Even in the months before her death, she took the time to encourage her son’s learning and to express appreciation for his teacher’s efforts.

In doing so, she left a lasting imprint on both her child and the community of educators who witnessed her devotion.

Thurman’s preservation of the letter over 24 years ensured that Castrillo could finally reconnect with his mother’s voice in a meaningful and emotional way.

The story of Flight 93 and the heroism of its passengers and crew remains a central narrative in the history of 9/11.

While much of the public focus is often on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon attacks, Flight 93’s passengers demonstrated extraordinary courage in the face of imminent death.

Lyles’ actions, alongside her colleagues, exemplified selflessness, quick thinking, and determination to protect others, ultimately saving countless lives on the ground.

Castrillo’s experience underscores the human side of the 9/11 tragedy. Beyond statistics and historical accounts, it is the personal stories, letters, and memories that continue to connect survivors and descendants to the events of that fateful day.

For Castrillo, the letter from his mother not only commemorates her legacy but also provides a sense of guidance and presence as he raises his own child, keeping her memory alive in the next generation.

The letter’s delivery comes at a poignant moment, as Castrillo adjusts to life as a new father. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, the bonds between parent and child can endure, bridging decades and transcending tragedy.

The words penned by Lyles before her death now carry the weight of history, personal courage, and maternal love, offering both comfort and inspiration.

CeeCee Lyles’ life, her heroism aboard Flight 93, and her love for her family continue to be remembered by the Fort Pierce community and beyond.

Her legacy is one of bravery, compassion, and unwavering dedication to others, a legacy now passed down through her son as he navigates parenthood.

The rediscovery of her letter provides a rare, intimate glimpse into the life of a woman whose courage became emblematic of ordinary heroes in extraordinary circumstances.

Authorities and historians continue to honor the actions of Flight 93’s passengers, ensuring that the events of September 11, 2001, and the sacrifices of individuals like CeeCee Lyles, remain an indelible part of American memory.

For Jevon Castrillo, the letter is more than words on paper—it is a lifeline to the mother he lost too soon, a source of pride, and a reminder of the extraordinary courage and love that defined her life.