Our Mission - “Do Something”

On September 11, 2001, Thomas E. Burnett Jr. became an American hero. On the same morning of the terror attacks on New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the plane on which Burnett was a passenger was hijacked. He called his wife Deena from the plan several times, telling her, “We have to do something. I’m putting a plan together.” Later he said, “We’re waiting until we get over a rural area. We’re going to take back the airplane.”

Tom and a handful of fellow passengers accosted the hijackers, causing United Flight 93 to crash into a Pennsylvania field, rather than into another American landmark. All on board were killed, but no one on land perished. Tom died a hero and will be remembered the way he lived his life each day – with character, faith, courage, leadership, spirit, and integrity.

The Tom Burnett Family Foundation was established to honor his life and his leadership by educating young people to be good citizens and our nation’s leaders of tomorrow. Through the growth of the Tom Burnett Foundation, “we’re going to do something.”

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Mission
In celebration of Tom Burnett’s professional and personal leadership, we’re educating our nation’s youth to be active citizens and tomorrow's leaders.

Our mission will be accomplished through:

• Leadership programs and scholarships throughout the United States
• Curriculum-based programs for young people and educators nationwide
• Public and private events focused on citizenship, leadership, and community