A kindergarten teacher’s decision to preserve a handwritten letter for 24 years has delivered an extraordinary gift to the son of a 9/11 hero, proving that acts of thoughtfulness can transcend tragedy and time.
Story Highlights
- Jevon Castrillo received a 24-year-old letter from his mother, CeeCee Ross Lyles, who died on Flight 93
- His kindergarten teacher Tammy Thurman preserved the letter through multiple school moves before returning it
- The letter, written in March 2001, praised young Castrillo’s reading skills and expressed maternal pride
- Lyles was a former Fort Pierce police officer turned flight attendant who perished helping stop the hijackers
Teacher’s Dedication Preserves Family Legacy
Tammy Thurman demonstrated the profound impact educators can have beyond the classroom when she preserved a simple parent note for over two decades. The kindergarten teacher kept CeeCee Ross Lyles’ handwritten letter praising her son’s reading progress through multiple school relocations and career changes. Thurman’s maternal instincts told her the letter would someday mean everything to young Jevon Castrillo, whose mother would die just months later on United Flight 93.
New dad receives 24-year-old letter penned by his hero flight attendant mom shortly before she was killed on 9/11: ‘Very proud of him’ https://t.co/Tw4DJ7mfKz pic.twitter.com/gZ3GdwHgEu
— New York Post (@nypost) September 22, 2025
The letter, written in March 2001, showcased a mother’s pride in her kindergarten-aged son’s academic achievements. Lyles penned encouraging words about Castrillo’s reading skills, creating what would become his final written communication from her. The simple school correspondence transformed into a priceless family treasure after Lyles’ death in the September 11 terrorist attacks. Thurman recognized the letter’s significance and made the extraordinary decision to safeguard it for Castrillo’s future.
Flight 93 Hero’s Final Written Words
CeeCee Ross Lyles embodied American values as a former Fort Pierce police officer who transitioned to flight attendant work. Her law enforcement background proved crucial on September 11, 2001, when she and other passengers fought back against al-Qaeda hijackers aboard United Flight 93. The aircraft crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers prevented terrorists from reaching their intended target, likely the U.S. Capitol. Lyles’ courage helped save countless lives in Washington, D.C.
The Fort Pierce community honors Lyles’ sacrifice with a permanent statue recognizing her heroism. Her dual career in law enforcement and aviation represented dedication to public service and protecting others. The letter she wrote months before her death captures her devotion to family, showing the personal side of a woman who became a national symbol of courage. Her words of maternal encouragement now serve as Castrillo’s connection to the mother he barely remembers.
Emotional Reunion Spans Generations
Castrillo, now a father himself, received the letter through WPTV’s facilitation of his reunion with Thurman. His emotional response reflected the profound impact of receiving his mother’s words after 24 years of wondering about her thoughts and feelings toward him. “Very touching… It seems very sweet and it seems like something she would definitely say, you know,” Castrillo told reporters. The timing proved especially meaningful as he navigates his own journey as a new parent.
Thurman’s explanation revealed the teacher’s deep understanding of family bonds: “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.” This exchange demonstrates how conservative values like family devotion, community care, and preserving memories create lasting positive impact. The story reinforces the importance of traditional family structures and the irreplaceable role of maternal love in shaping children’s lives, even across decades of separation.
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EXCLUSIVE: Letter from 9/11 victim makes it to son 24 years later
