By Christian Mignot

Los Altos resident and amateur musician Noah Mesel has released a commemorative album about the Sept. 11 tragedies.

His first song, “Let’s Roll,” was inspired by the heroism of Todd Beamer aboard Flight 93 forced down in Pennsylvania. The song, initially written for colleague and friend Dave Beamer, Todd’s father, was first played at a kickoff meeting at Legato Systems. Mesel and Dave work at the Mountain View based software development company.

CEO David Wright asked Mesel to write a song in remembrance of the victims who died in the three incidents on Sept. 11. Mesel chose to write about Todd, who presumably led a group of passengers in overpowering the terrorists, forcing the plane down into a Pennsylvania field.

“Media reports had it that the plane was supposed to hit the Capitol,” Mesel said. “Todd probably saved hundreds of lives.”

Before the United Airlines jet went down, Todd had used an in-cabin phone to call his wife had talked with the operator. He recited Psalm 23, and then said his now famous last words, “Let’s roll.” According to Mesel, this was one of Todd’s favorite catch phrases.

“Real heroes are not people like Superman and Luke Skywalker, they are extraordinary men and women from normal backgrounds,” he said. “Here (Todd) was in the middle of a business trip and he had to make a big decision.”

Mesel said his song, written for piano, reflects standing up for what you believe in.

“When I first played it, the impact was remarkable,” he said. “The words seemed right in my heart, but it is rare that others also feel the music and lyrics the same way as you.”

Since the performance, Dave asked Mesel to pursue the songwriting further, and as a result, Mesel has now compiled a CD of his music.

Mesel was interviewed by KFOX disc jockey and rock musician Greg Kihn about “Let’s Roll” on this Sept. 11. Kihn played snippets of the song and praised Mesel for his tribute.

Mesel ran unsuccessfully for Los Altos City Council in 1999.