In the heart of Pennsylvania, you’ll find a moving tribute to the forty brave souls who lost their lives on Flight 93. On September 11, 2001, as the United States faced a terrible attack, these strangers came together in an extraordinary act of courage and unbeknownst to them, struck the first blow against terrorism.
Flight 93, by many accounts, started off as many flights before and after have have started, early in the morning. The passengers eagerly boarded the United Airlines Flight 93 at gate 17 in terminal A of Newark International Airport enroute for San Francisco, California.
46 minutes into the flight, the four terrorists began to aggressively move passengers towards the rear of the plane while simultaneously breaching the cockpit. Through 35 phone calls to loved ones and authorities, the passengers and crew began to learn about the tragic fate of American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175 used to strike the World Trade Center in New York and American Airlines Flight 77 that would soon strike the Pentagon. With this information passengers and crew developed a plan to fight back. This bravery led them to storm the cockpit, causing the terrorists to crash the plane in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This act of heroism likely prevented further loss of life.
Today, the Flight 93 National Memorial stands as a testament to this heroic sacrifice. As you enter the memorial, you’ll first encounter the Tower of Voices, a 93-foot tall structure with 40 wind chimes, each honoring one of the passengers and crew. The gentle chimes create a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.
Nearby, you’ll find the visitor center, which offers insights into the events of that day and the stories of those on Flight 93. With space for plenty of visitors, the center welcomes around 400,000 guests each year.
A topographical map and the distinctive black-pathway mark the flight’s descent and lead you to an overlook with views of the Wall of Names and the impact site.
The memorial’s design incorporates the number forty in various ways, reflecting the lives lost. Ring Road, which forms a semi-circle through the complex, is lined with forty memorial groves of red and sugar maples, and eastern white oaks. Walking trails also guide you to the Wall of Names, a large white wall etched with the names of each passenger and crew member, and leading to a wooden gate opened annually on September 11th.
The Flight 93 Memorial is one of over 400 parks in the National Parks System, but its unique design and significance make it truly special. As inscribed on the site, it’s indeed “A common field one day. A field of honor forever.”
Visiting the Flight 93 National Memorial brings a deep sense of reflection. Though years have passed, the memorial honors the heroism and sacrifice of those forty individuals.
For more information about the , visit www.nps.gov/flni.
Special to Passport PA: Jason Krysinski, Photos by nblack photo
