Randy McKillop's birthday is this weekend, April 25th. He went to Pittsburgh with a million fans at the NFL Draft as Batman with a custom-made Terrible Towel Cape to celebrate his birthday, the Steelers, and raise awareness/ donations in the name of his high school teammate.
Who Michael “Rocks” Horrocks Was
Michael Robert Horrocks grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Hershey High School in 1981, where he was known as a standout star quarterback and a well‑liked, grounded student-athlete. Friends remembered him as someone who “got along with everybody” and carried himself with quiet confidence and kindness.
After high school, he attended West Chester University, again serving as quarterback, before joining the United States Marine Corps. There he became a pilot and later a flight instructor, earning the nickname “Rocks” for his toughness, reliability, and steady presence.
His Career and 9/11
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Horrocks became a commercial pilot for United Airlines. On September 11, 2001, he was the First Officer (co‑pilot) of United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane hijacked and flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 a.m. All 60 people on board, including crew and passengers, were killed.
Friends and colleagues consistently describe him as someone who would have fought to protect others, reflecting the courage and integrity he showed throughout his life.
Legacy and Memorials
Horrocks’ death deeply affected the Hershey community. Over the years, classmates, friends, and local leaders have worked to ensure his story is remembered. Efforts include:
- A memorial near the Hershey High School football field, dedicated by friends who wanted students to know the hero who once walked the same halls.
- The ongoing project to build the “ROCKS Memorial” as part of Hershey’s Courtyard of Honor, featuring a 9-foot, 11-inch stainless steel monument honoring Horrocks and other 9/11 victims and first responders.
His legacy lives on not only in Hershey and West Chester but also among Marines, pilots, and the many people whose lives he touched.
DONATE HERE
https://www.gofundme.com/f/buy-my-dad-a-drink