George W. Bush To Visit Shanksville Flight 93 Memorial
SHANKSVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- Former President George W. Bush will speak at this week's dedication of the Flight 93 National Memorial.
The National Park Service and National Park Foundation announced Tuesday that Bush, who was in office when the plane crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, will join Vice President Joe Biden and Flight 93 family members. Also attending Saturday's event will be dignitaries including former first lady Laura Bush, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis and Gov. Tom Corbett.
The memorial honors those killed on United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, a rural area southeast of Pittsburgh. Forty passengers and crew members died after fighting with hijackers for control of the plane.
Gordon Felt, president of the Families of Flight 93, a group representing those whose relatives died in the crash, said the members of his group are honored by the Bushes' visit.
"President Bush signed the legislation to transform the site into a national park," Felt said in a statement. "Mrs. Bush has a wonderful history with the memorial and the Flight 93 families. Their presence gives particular comfort and meaning to us all."
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan will perform at the ceremony.
(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
