Special Report: N.E. Remembers: Amy Sweeney

Michael Sweeney, Husband
"There were a lot of heroes on that day, and my wife was one of them."

It is impossible to compare acts of courage, but we do know this: when terrorists seized control of American Airlines Flight 11, this woman rose to meet the challenge:

Bobby Sweeney, Brother-in-law
"I think it's pretty amazing how she performed right up to the end."

Acton flight attendant Amy Sweeney, a wife and mother of two, flew on American Airlines planes for 14 years.

Most of us would never have known her name, but for one phone call.

Michael Sweeney
"The first thing she said was, 'This is Amy Sweeney. I'm on Flight 11. This plane has been hijacked.'"

Amy's husband, Michael Sweeney, last spoke with his wife moments before Flight 11 took off for Los Angeles, but he knows every detail of her final call to Logan Airport.

He knows how moments after the crew was overtaken Amy relayed crucial information to ground control: the hijackers seat numbers, the weapons they had, the fact that they were flying the plane.

Michael also knows how his wife kept her cool, and how she tried to keep her passengers calm as well.

Michael Sweeney
"That was her helping people literally up until the end. I'm amazed and our family is proud of what she did. She saved a lot of lives."

The Sweeney family believes by alerting officials to the unfolding attack, Amy helped prevent even more chaos on the ground. And with the help of the state's congressional delegation they're nominating her for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor for service to country.

It would not be Amy's first award.

Jane Swift, Governor, Massachusetts
"She was not crippled by her fear. She was empowered to shed light where none existed."

Last year, Acting Governor Jane Swift created the Madeline Amy Sweeney Civilian Bravery Award, which will be handed out every September 11th to those who show courage in saving the lives of others.

As this first anniversary approaches Michael says it's the only public event his family will attend, a place where six-year-old Anna and five-year-old Jack can remember their mother as a hero.

Michael Sweeney
"Even though I'll never be able to escape what happened that day at least I know something good happened. Someone will receive my wife's award."