Flight 93 Heroes Honored In Shanksville On 10th Anniversary Of 9/11
SHANKSVILLE (KDKA) -- Thousands of people gathered in Shanksville on Sunday to pay their respects to the heroes who were on board Flight 93 when it went down in an open field 10 years ago in Somerset County.
The bell tolled as each of the names of the 40 passengers and crew members who made the ultimate sacrifice was read during the ceremony. It was 10 years ago today when United Flight 93 crashed in that field near Shanksville.
Among those at the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of 9/11 were family and friends of the passengers and crew, political figures and everyday people just wanting to honor the thousands who died on that day.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama also traveled to Shanksville for the ceremony where they laid a wreath at the newly-dedicated Flight 93 National Memorial.
"I'm too young to remember where I was when John Kennedy was assassinated, but I will always remember Sept. 11, 2001," said Rep. Mark Critz.
KDKA's Bob Allen reports:
Flight 93 was hijacked by terrorists after it left Newark Airport. The passengers decided to retake the plane before it crashed into an open field near Shanksville on that Sept. morning in 2001.
"The passengers aboard Flight 93 charted a new course, set a new standard for American bravery," said Gov. Tom Corbett.
Cathy Stephanie's daughter, Nicole, was one of the passengers.
"It's something we have to live with every day, but I'm thankful that she went down as one of the heroes," said Stephanie.
Many of the families are pleased that the Flight 93 National Memorial preserves the site where the plane went down.
"It's a proud day to be from Somerset. The memorial, I think, is amazing," said Doug Berkey, a United Airlines flight attendant. "I've seen it change and grow over the last 10 years."
A group from Connellsville showed up wearing tee-shirts to pay tribute to the heroes of Flight 93 and other people who lost their lives that day in New York and at the Pentagon.
"There's nothing greater than the resolve of Americans who are truly, truly dedicated to freedom," added Linda Schearer, of Connellsville.
It's hoped the sacrifice and courage of the passengers and crew members of Flight 93 will be an inspiration to future generations who visit the National Memorial.
At Ground Zero:
At the Pentagon:
RELATED LINKS:
Flight 93 Memorial
9/11: 10 Years Later
Flight 93 Memorial Dedication Speeches
Thousands Attend Flight 93 Memorial Dedication In Shanksville
Photo Gallery: Shanksville Dedication Ceremony Scenes
Photo Gallery: Flight 93 National Memorial Dedication Ceremony
Photo Gallery: Candlelight Service In Shanksville Honors 9/11 Victims
