Like most people, I have a clear memory of September 11, 2001. It was so frightening to know our country was under attack. So many heroes that day - from the firefighters and policemen in New York to the passengers on Flight 93.
When I discovered that the Flight 93 memorial was not very far from Mary's house, I knew that we had to go visit that sacred ground.
"A common field one day. A field of honor forever."
Here's the quick recap of that September morning.
"September 11, 2001, morning: Four commercial airliners are hijacked by al Qaeda terrorists in a planned attack against the United States. Two are flown into the World Trade Center's twin towers in New York City. A third is flown into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. A fourth plane, United Flight 93, a Boeing 757 bound for San Francisco, California from Newark, New Jersey, is delayed 25 minutes before takeoff.
After 46 minutes when over eastern Ohio, hijackers in first class attack at 9:28 am, incapacitating the captain and first officer. Hijackers turn Flight 93 southeast, headed for Washington DC, most likely to attack the US Capitol.
Just before 10 am. the plane is seen flying low and erratically over southwestern Pennsylvania. At 10:03 it crashes, upside-down at 563 miles per hour into this Somerset County field. There were no survivors. All 33 passengers, seven crew members and four hijackers are killed."
There are no photos permitted in the visitor's center. The artifacts, multi-media and interactive exhibits recount the story. It was chilling to listen to the news reports coming in from that morning. First curiosity that a plane had somehow crashed into the World Trade Center then as a 2nd plane hits, the realization that this was a coordinated attack.
In one of the interactive exhibit we could listen to the voice mail messages left by passengers for their families. The first passenger sounded nervous as she talked to her family. In the last and final message, the terror and resolution in the voice is clear. The passengers knew about the other planes and were united in their resolve to prevent another attack. Many of them had guessed that Washington DC was the intended target of their plane.
A struggle in the cockpit between passengers and hijackers led to the crash and prevented more destruction.
They were heroes who gave their lives to save others.
I love that this woman's unborn baby was also acknowledged.
Wall of heroes
Each passengers' name is etched here
The crash site is directly in front of George and Jackson.
It is the final resting place of each of these heroes.
Here is a quick recap of the flight.
Besides the Visitor's Center and the Memorial Plaza, there is also a "Tower of Voices", which is a 93 feet tall musical instrument holding 40 wind chimes, representing the 40 passengers and crew members.
It's a living memorial in sound to remember the 40 passengers.
Unfortunately the wind wasn't blowing the day we were there but you could listen to a recording.
I am glad we made the effort to be here and remember.
