Let's roll

Let's roll is a commonly used informal expression that serves as a prompt to begin movement or take action, often in the context of missions or projects. This phrase gained widespread recognition as the final documented words of passenger Todd Beamer aboard United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11 attacks, just before passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers. Subsequently, it became a motivational slogan for American military efforts in the war on terror.

Origins

In the American west, numerous wagon trains traditionally started their trips with the call "Wagons roll!" Over time, this evolved into the casual exhortation "let's roll," which was already in use by 1908 within the cadence song now known as "The Army Goes Rolling Along." This phrase likely influenced terminology among tank crews.

The expression has appeared across various cultural media: in Robert A. Heinlein’s 1940 science fiction story "The Roads Must Roll," and in the 1937 movie Topper, where Cary Grant uses it to encourage immediate action. It also features in Ernest Hemingway’s 1950 novel Across the River and into the Trees and has been employed within film and audio recording industries as a cue to commence work.

September 11 attacks

On September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer, aboard the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93, spoke with a customer service supervisor while passengers organized a plan to confront the hijackers after learning about attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. His last recorded statement was "Are you ready? Okay. Let's roll."

President George W. Bush referenced Beamer’s phrase during a November 2001 speech at Atlanta’s World Congress Center: "My fellow Americans, let's roll!" He reiterated it in his 2002 State of the Union address, presenting it as part of a renewed national ethos: "For too long our culture has said, 'If it feels good, do it.' Now America is embracing a new ethic and a new creed: 'Let's roll.'"

Music

A number of artists and bands have produced songs titled or featuring "Let's Roll," often alluding to Flight 93 or Todd Beamer. Neil Young’s "Let's Roll," released as a single in November 2001 and later included on his album Are You Passionate?, was among the earliest. In 2002, hard rock band L.A. Guns released "OK, Let's Roll" on Waking the Dead, country duo The Bellamy Brothers put out "Let's Roll, America" on Redneck Girls Forever, and Christian rock group dc Talk issued a single named "Let's Roll" despite being on hiatus.

Further songs inspired by 9/11 bearing the title "Let's Roll" followed: Montreal-based rock group The Stills included one on their 2003 debut album Logic Will Break Your Heart; Jonny L sampled President George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union address; and in 2004, Ray Stevens released an original "Let's Roll," referencing Todd Beamer, which appeared on his albums Thank You!, Box Set, and We the People. Additionally, Melissa Etheridge’s 2004 track "Tuesday Morning," dedicated to Flight 93 passenger Mark Bingham, ends with this phrase.

Government

The expression rose to widespread recognition after President George W. Bush incorporated it into addresses to AmeriCorps volunteers and during his 2002 State of the Union address. Although the phrase was already in common usage, efforts were made to secure trademark rights; notably, the Todd M. Beamer Foundation obtained a trademark for its application on music-related products.

In early 2002, General John P. Jumper, then Chief of Staff of the USAF, mandated that each squadron aircraft and all demonstration planes display an eagle positioned above an American flag, accompanied by the inscriptions "Let's Roll" and "Spirit of 9-11," a practice maintained until the first anniversary of the attacks. Additionally, Lisa Beamer, widow of Todd Beamer, titled her 2003 memoir Let's Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage after the phrase.

Sports

• During the 2002 college football season, the Florida State Seminoles adopted "Let's Roll" as their official motto. Although some initially questioned its appropriateness due to sensitivity concerns, the Todd M. Beamer Foundation formally granted licensing rights to the team.
• In a tribute to 9/11 at the 2002 MBNA All-American Heroes 400 held at Dover International Speedway, NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte prominently displayed "Let's Roll" on his car’s hood.
• The phrase was also featured on the helmet of Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard as an homage to Flight 93.

Media

• "Let's Roll" was referenced in an episode of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm (season 4, episode 9: "The Survivor"), where it became central to a plotline addressing sensitivities around its usage.
• The phrase served as the title for the film Let's Roll: The Story of Flight 93, which offers a dramatized portrayal of the events aboard Flight 93.

External links

• Neil Young, Let's Roll (video) via YouTube
• Neil Young, Booker T & the MGs Let's Roll (video) via YouTube