In spite of the threat of rain, thousands showed up in the hometown of pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger to give him a hero’s welcome home yesterday at 1:00 p.m. on the Town Green.

Captain Sullenberger and his family were honored by the Danville Mayor and the Danville Town Council. Mayor Americh had this to say:

“Captain Sully did something extraordinary and unprecedented on January 15, 2009. I can think of at least one hundred and fifty-five reasons why our town should join together to celebrate our neighbor and friend, and his family.”

Sullenberger, 57, was the pilot of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 who made the split-second decision to ditch the plane in the Hudson River after both engines failed. As a result, all 155 lives aboard the jetliner were saved.

Sullenberger, a humble man, refused to take all the crdit. He modestly told the crowd:

“Circumstance determined that it was this experienced crew that was scheduled to fly that particular flight on that particular day, but I know I can speak for the entire crew when I tell you we were simply doing the job we were trained to do.”

Chesley Sullenberger was given the key to the city and named an honorary Danville police officer.

The Sullenberger family are honoring requests from the United States Airline Pilots Association (USPA), and are still refraining from media interviews.

Sullenberger is scheduled to give his first interview to Katie Couric on “60 Minutes.” It is scheduled to air on Feb. 8.

After examining the  downed jetliner, Flight 1549, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have released a statement stating, “What appears to be organic material was found in the right engine and on the wings and fuselage.”

Samples of the “organic material” are being sent to the Department of Agriculture for DNA analysis.It is also being reported that there has been a feather found on one of the wings. The feather is being sent to the Smithsonian Institution for further identification by experts.

The left engine that seperated from the airliner has been found and is on the bottom of the river; near where the airliner landed. It is to be raised out of the water on Thursday.

The pilot, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, made an emergency landing into New York’s Hudson River last Thursday. The plane had only reached 3,200 feet altitude when it collided with the birds.

All 155 passengers and crew members of Flight 1549 survived the impact of the crash when it landed in the water.

At the request of the U.S. Airline Pilots Association, what was to be Sullenberger’s first public interview, has been cancelled. Matt Lauer was to have interviewed Sullenberger this morning on the “Today” show.

Sullenberger was asked by the president of the U.S. Airline Pilots Association not to take part in any media activities because of the ongoing investigation of the crash. Sullenberger was the pilot of  U.S. Airway Flight 1549 that made the emergency landing in the Hudson River last Thursday.

According to “Today” host Matt Lauer, “Today” is still being promised the first interview with Captain Chesley Sullenberger.