Although the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA will not be totally complete by the tenth anniversary of 9/11, many features are taking shape, according to Keith Newlin, Superintendent of National Parks in Western Pennsylvania. He says the features closest to where the flight ended will be ready, including a memorial wall inscribed with the 40 names of passengers and crew and a long wall flanking the debris field and the remains field.
Newlin says only the grading will be done at the future sites of the Visitors Center and the 40-tree memorial grove.
A "high-profile" visitor is expected at the ribbon cutting scheduled for 12:30 in the afternoon of September 10th, so Newlin recommends people arrive early and be prepared for security screening. He advises visitors to bring their own water.
Showing posts with label Flight 93. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flight 93. Show all posts
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Lets Roll Ride set for 9/11
Tom Henschke believes everyone can remember where they were and what they were doing on September 11th 2001. “I can hardly believe it has been ten years,” said the SMC Business Council President. To memorialize the tenth anniversary, Henschke and his company are organizing the “Let’s Roll Flight 93 Memorial Ride” September 10th and 11th.
“Flight paths” of 40 motorcycle riders will launch from cities across Pennsylvania and Virginia September 10th and then rally at the Seven Springs Resort in Somerset County the morning of September 11th. From there the riders will head to the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville. “We did coordinate this with the flight 93 memorial,” said Henschke, “We actually have former Governor Tom Ridge as the honorary grand marshal, a number of family members will be there as well.”
The ride get its name from the last known words of flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer who was heard by his wife to say “lets roll” just before he and other passengers tried to retake control of the plane. The concept of 40 riders comes from the number of innocent passengers on the flight from Newark to San Francisco.
Ultimately the ride is about raising money for the flight 93 memorial. Each ride will find sponsors to donate at least $1,000 to the memorial fund. “Individual riders can find sponsors, an owner of a business [can] gather money and do some fundraisers among employees for a rider,” said Henschke, “You don’t have to be a rider, you just have to work together and accumulate $1,000 and find a rider.” Individuals can also donate online.
Henschke says the goal is to add more “flight paths” to the eight already planned. (Two from Erie, and one each from Pittsburgh, Williamsport, Meadville, Cranberry Township, Pottsville Philadelphia, and Fairfax, VA) An organizing kick off event for the Pittsburgh flight will be held Thursday night from 5:00 – 6:30 at Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 on the north shore. Individuals are asked to RSVP at the Lets Roll Ride web page.
“Flight paths” of 40 motorcycle riders will launch from cities across Pennsylvania and Virginia September 10th and then rally at the Seven Springs Resort in Somerset County the morning of September 11th. From there the riders will head to the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville. “We did coordinate this with the flight 93 memorial,” said Henschke, “We actually have former Governor Tom Ridge as the honorary grand marshal, a number of family members will be there as well.”
The ride get its name from the last known words of flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer who was heard by his wife to say “lets roll” just before he and other passengers tried to retake control of the plane. The concept of 40 riders comes from the number of innocent passengers on the flight from Newark to San Francisco.
Ultimately the ride is about raising money for the flight 93 memorial. Each ride will find sponsors to donate at least $1,000 to the memorial fund. “Individual riders can find sponsors, an owner of a business [can] gather money and do some fundraisers among employees for a rider,” said Henschke, “You don’t have to be a rider, you just have to work together and accumulate $1,000 and find a rider.” Individuals can also donate online.
Henschke says the goal is to add more “flight paths” to the eight already planned. (Two from Erie, and one each from Pittsburgh, Williamsport, Meadville, Cranberry Township, Pottsville Philadelphia, and Fairfax, VA) An organizing kick off event for the Pittsburgh flight will be held Thursday night from 5:00 – 6:30 at Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 on the north shore. Individuals are asked to RSVP at the Lets Roll Ride web page.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Hearing of Bin Laden's Death, Visitors Go To Flight 93 Memorial
About 800 people made their way to the Flight 93 Memorial in Somerset County yesterday. They visited a construction site, where work is underway to complete the first phase of a permanent memorial by the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. They came after hearing that a U.S. Navy SEAL team had killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.
The visitors were quiet on Monday, but the backhoes and bulldozers didn’t stop. The first component of the 58 million dollar monument is scheduled to open in four months.
Site superintendent Keith Newlin says the goal is a two-part ceremony on September 10th and 11th.
"We’ll have two ceremonies, then. On the tenth we’ll have a ribbon cutting. On the 11th we’ll have our typical memorial service."
Newlin explains what visitors will see, beginning this September.
"They’ll come down here, they’ll see a new visitor’s shelter. And then they’ll start their walk along the green field, and come closer and closer to the sacred ground. They’ll have a wall of names with all 40 passengers and crew."
The final monument will include a wind chime tower, with 40 bells...1 for each of the passengers and crew.... and groves of trees.
The current temporary memorial is sparse. A shed hosts a display about the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath, and a chain link fence overlooks the crash site.
Beverly Hoover of Landsdale, Montgomery County stopped by the site on a whim Monday. She was impressed by how much construction has changed it since her last visit.
"And I want to come back in September when the memorial is dedicated. I think if we can, we’ll be here."
Monday, May 2, 2011
Shanksville Residents on Bin Laden's Death
The National Park Service is expecting higher traffic than usual at the Flight 93 Temporary Memorial in Somerset County today.
However, Shanksville’s residents aren’t making too much of a fuss over the news Osama bin Laden has been killed.
The memorial, overlooking the field where the hijacked airplane crashed on September 11, 2001, usually opens at 9 am.
Today, reporters were parked outside before dawn, and park rangers opened the gates at 7.
Superintendant Keith Newlin is bracing for more visitors than usual.
"We did open a little earlier today. I mean, the construction people are on-site. But we opened a little bit earlier. Typically we don’t open until nine for the general public."
William Murray lives just a few miles from the site, but had never visited. He says he wanted to wait for the permanent memorial’s September opening, but he came today, instead.
Murray is glad bin Laden’s gone, but is still a bit apprehensive.
"I believe he got what he deserved, but I’d rather see him captured, and pay for what he’d done other than just killed him off, like they have. He’ll become a martyr. Probably be comeback on this, I imagine, from someone."
In Shanksville, most residents declined to be interviewed about the news, saying they had to go to work. It was a sharp contrast to New York City and Washington, DC, where people are singing and chanting in reaction to bin Laden’s death.
Flight 93 was likely headed for the White House or Capitol, when its passengers and crew challenged the hijackers, forcing them to crash the plane in Pennsylvania.
However, Shanksville’s residents aren’t making too much of a fuss over the news Osama bin Laden has been killed.
The memorial, overlooking the field where the hijacked airplane crashed on September 11, 2001, usually opens at 9 am.
Today, reporters were parked outside before dawn, and park rangers opened the gates at 7.
Superintendant Keith Newlin is bracing for more visitors than usual.
"We did open a little earlier today. I mean, the construction people are on-site. But we opened a little bit earlier. Typically we don’t open until nine for the general public."
William Murray lives just a few miles from the site, but had never visited. He says he wanted to wait for the permanent memorial’s September opening, but he came today, instead.
Murray is glad bin Laden’s gone, but is still a bit apprehensive.
"I believe he got what he deserved, but I’d rather see him captured, and pay for what he’d done other than just killed him off, like they have. He’ll become a martyr. Probably be comeback on this, I imagine, from someone."
In Shanksville, most residents declined to be interviewed about the news, saying they had to go to work. It was a sharp contrast to New York City and Washington, DC, where people are singing and chanting in reaction to bin Laden’s death.
Flight 93 was likely headed for the White House or Capitol, when its passengers and crew challenged the hijackers, forcing them to crash the plane in Pennsylvania.
People Visit Flight 93 Memorial Upon Learning of Bin Laden's Death
It's a very different scene this morning in Shanksville, Somerset County compared to New York City and Washington, D.C. where there were celebrations overnight as people learned about the death of Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the September 11 terror attacks.
Visitors are paying their respects at the site where Flight 93 crashed as passengers and crew struggled with 4 terrorists for control of the plane. The 9/11 Commission believes the terrorists were likely targeting the White House or the Capitol.
DUQ's Kevin Gavin spoke with Reporter Scott Detrow who traveled to Shanksville.
Visitors are paying their respects at the site where Flight 93 crashed as passengers and crew struggled with 4 terrorists for control of the plane. The 9/11 Commission believes the terrorists were likely targeting the White House or the Capitol.
DUQ's Kevin Gavin spoke with Reporter Scott Detrow who traveled to Shanksville.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Planting Underway on Flight 93 Garden
The Portland, Oregon-based non-profit Remember Me Roses announced its capital campaign to finish a garden dedicated to the passengers and crew of Flight 93. The competed garden will be located on a 14 acre plot donated by the Families of Flight 93 adjacent to the Flight 93 National Memorial Park; 2,982 rose bushes will be planted, one for each victim of the September 11th attacks, in the garden along with individual spaces dedicated to each passenger.
Clay Mankamyer, Vice President of the Flight 93 Garden, says Sue Casey and Michael Mitchell came up with the idea.
Sue Casey founded Remember Me Roses in the wake of the September 11th attacks as a way of paying tribute to those who died.and has since worked to plant gardens in Washington D.C., New York City, and Shanksville.
Michael Mitchell is a New Jersey/New York Area professional gardener. According to Mankaymer, Mitchell "was stranded on one of the bridges leading out of the city (on September 11th) and watched the collapse of the Twin Towers. And he just felt that he needed to be involved in some way to help with the recovery and the healing of the nation, and paying tribute to those who lost their lives." Mitchell used his experience as a professional gardener to oversee the development of the gardens.
Mankaymer says they have already started work on the property by clearing the land and planting roses and hedgerows. He says that once the garden is finished it will be shaped like a compass rose.
Clay Mankamyer, Vice President of the Flight 93 Garden, says Sue Casey and Michael Mitchell came up with the idea.
Sue Casey founded Remember Me Roses in the wake of the September 11th attacks as a way of paying tribute to those who died.and has since worked to plant gardens in Washington D.C., New York City, and Shanksville.
Michael Mitchell is a New Jersey/New York Area professional gardener. According to Mankaymer, Mitchell "was stranded on one of the bridges leading out of the city (on September 11th) and watched the collapse of the Twin Towers. And he just felt that he needed to be involved in some way to help with the recovery and the healing of the nation, and paying tribute to those who lost their lives." Mitchell used his experience as a professional gardener to oversee the development of the gardens.
Mankaymer says they have already started work on the property by clearing the land and planting roses and hedgerows. He says that once the garden is finished it will be shaped like a compass rose.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Flight 93 Families Seek Funding
Family members of those who died on United Airlines Flight 93 when it crashed into an abandon strip mine in Somerset County September 11th 2001 are seeking more federal money for a 9/11 memorial crash site. Family members will go before Congress today to ask members to approve the $3.7 million for the memorial requested by President Barack Obama in his new budget.
The memorial's first phase, including a wall with the names of the 40 passengers and crew, is set to open on the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. The price tag for the memorial is expected to come in at $60 million. Congress has already provided $10 million, Pennsylvania is giving $18.5 million and about $20 million has been raised privately.
Work on the sight has already begun.
The memorial's first phase, including a wall with the names of the 40 passengers and crew, is set to open on the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. The price tag for the memorial is expected to come in at $60 million. Congress has already provided $10 million, Pennsylvania is giving $18.5 million and about $20 million has been raised privately.
Work on the sight has already begun.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
New Regional Superintendent for National Park Service
There will be a new person in charge of the Flight 93 National Memorial. The National Park Service has named Keith Newlin as the new superintendent for Western Pennsylvania which includes the memorial. Newlin has served as the region's deputy superintendent since 2007 and will take over for a year beginning February 1. Newlin will also oversee the Johnstown Flood National Museum and the Fort Necessity National Battlefield.
He replaces Joanne Hanley who is leaving to head the Gettysburg Foundation which operates Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and other projects, in partnership with the Park Service. Hanley has worked with Flight 93 family members and others on the national memorial which is being built at the site where the United Airlines jetliner crashed in Somerset County as passengers fought with terrorists for control of the plane September 11, 2001.
The first phase of the memorial is to be ready for the 10th anniversary this coming September.
He replaces Joanne Hanley who is leaving to head the Gettysburg Foundation which operates Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and other projects, in partnership with the Park Service. Hanley has worked with Flight 93 family members and others on the national memorial which is being built at the site where the United Airlines jetliner crashed in Somerset County as passengers fought with terrorists for control of the plane September 11, 2001.
The first phase of the memorial is to be ready for the 10th anniversary this coming September.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Flight 93 Memorial Will Seek New Leadership
The supervisor of the Flight 93 Memorial, Joanne Hanley is stepping down after 32 years as superintendent of the National Parks Service in Western Pennsylvania.
Hanley devoted nearly 10 years of service to the memorial that honors the 40 men and women who died after their hijacked plane crashed in a field in Somerset County. Her retirement, effective February 1st, will allow another superintendent to see the project through its construction phases, the first of which is expected to be finished this summer for the 10th anniversary of September 11th.
“When we get to the finish line, it really doesn’t matter who carries it over as long as it gets over,” Hanley says. “As a team we have gotten it so far, and so no matter who gets it over the finish line, it will still be the team getting it over the finish line.”
Hanley is stepping down so that she can become president of the Gettysburg Foundation where she will work to raise funds for the Gettysburg National Military Park.
“I feel in my present position that I am serving my country in public service and I feel in this coming position I will be serving my country in public service as well,” Hanley says.
Hanley has also overseen the Fort Necessity National Battlefield, the Friendship Hill National Historical Site, the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, and the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site during her time with the National Parks Service in Western Pennsylvania.
Deputy Supervisor Keith Newlin will act as interim supervisor until a replacement is found.
Hanley devoted nearly 10 years of service to the memorial that honors the 40 men and women who died after their hijacked plane crashed in a field in Somerset County. Her retirement, effective February 1st, will allow another superintendent to see the project through its construction phases, the first of which is expected to be finished this summer for the 10th anniversary of September 11th.
“When we get to the finish line, it really doesn’t matter who carries it over as long as it gets over,” Hanley says. “As a team we have gotten it so far, and so no matter who gets it over the finish line, it will still be the team getting it over the finish line.”
Hanley is stepping down so that she can become president of the Gettysburg Foundation where she will work to raise funds for the Gettysburg National Military Park.
“I feel in my present position that I am serving my country in public service and I feel in this coming position I will be serving my country in public service as well,” Hanley says.
Hanley has also overseen the Fort Necessity National Battlefield, the Friendship Hill National Historical Site, the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, and the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site during her time with the National Parks Service in Western Pennsylvania.
Deputy Supervisor Keith Newlin will act as interim supervisor until a replacement is found.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Permanent Flight 93 Memorial On Schedule
People at Saturday’s Flight 93 memorial ceremony in Somerset County looked back to 2001 during the event, but they also looked ahead to next year.
September 11, 2011 will be the tenth anniversary of the terror attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
It’s also the date Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and other officials have vowed to dedicate the first phase of a permanent memorial to the 40 passengers and crew who died on-board Flight 93 as they fought with terrorists.
Organizers still need to raise 18 million dollars to fund the project, but Reverend Paul Britton, whose sister Marion died on 9/11, is optimistic.
"I think it’s doable. I think the architect believes it’s doable. And with the enthusiasm of people working on it, it will happen."
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar vowed to make sure the first phase of a permanent memorial will be complete by September 11, 2011.
"We are on the way, with the Friends of Families of Flight 93 and so many others, to be able to dedicate Flight 93 on the tenth year anniversary of 9/11."
The centerpiece of the first phase will be a memorial plaza, listing the names of the 40 people on-board the flight. The plaza will follow the plane’s flight path, and give visitors a view of the crash site.
The much more ambitious second phase of the project is expected to be complete in 2014.
First Lady Michelle Obama and other speakers on Saturday spoke about the lessons future generations can learn from the men and women who fought back against the four terrorists. Planners say the memorial will play an important role in telling that story.
September 11, 2011 will be the tenth anniversary of the terror attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
It’s also the date Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and other officials have vowed to dedicate the first phase of a permanent memorial to the 40 passengers and crew who died on-board Flight 93 as they fought with terrorists.
Organizers still need to raise 18 million dollars to fund the project, but Reverend Paul Britton, whose sister Marion died on 9/11, is optimistic.
"I think it’s doable. I think the architect believes it’s doable. And with the enthusiasm of people working on it, it will happen."
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar vowed to make sure the first phase of a permanent memorial will be complete by September 11, 2011.
"We are on the way, with the Friends of Families of Flight 93 and so many others, to be able to dedicate Flight 93 on the tenth year anniversary of 9/11."
The centerpiece of the first phase will be a memorial plaza, listing the names of the 40 people on-board the flight. The plaza will follow the plane’s flight path, and give visitors a view of the crash site.
The much more ambitious second phase of the project is expected to be complete in 2014.
First Lady Michelle Obama and other speakers on Saturday spoke about the lessons future generations can learn from the men and women who fought back against the four terrorists. Planners say the memorial will play an important role in telling that story.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
2 First Ladies Praise Flight 93 Crew, Passengers
For the ninth year, relatives, officials and members of the Somerset County community gathered at a field near Shanksville today to remember the 40 men and women killed on United Flight 93.
About a thousand people gathered on a cool, clear day to pay respects to the 40 passengers and crew who fought back against terrorists on September 11, 2001.
First Lady Michelle Obama and her predecessor, Laura Bush, led the ceremony, which was filled with song, scripture and reflection. Mrs. Obama praised the passengers and crew, noting the group of strangers had never met each other before they decided to band together and push back against the terrorists.
"But in that awful moment, when the facts became clear and they were called to make an impossible choice, they all found the same resolve. The agreed to the same bold plan."
Mrs. Bush reflected on the day of the attacks, saying the United States saw its best in the courage of the passengers and first responders, as well as the prayers and thoughts of the rest of the country....
"…And again, as millions of Americans participated in blood drives, candlelight vigils and memorial services. Saying prayers in English, Hebrew and Arabic."
Governor Rendell choked up when he told the crowd the Flight 93 victims had joined a long line of Pennsylvania heroes, stretching back to Ben Franklin.
"On behalf of 12.5 million Pennsylvanians, I want to say – we will never forget what they did above our skies. And we will always remember them."
Organizers hope to dedicate the first phase of a permanent Flight 93 memorial next year, on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
About a thousand people gathered on a cool, clear day to pay respects to the 40 passengers and crew who fought back against terrorists on September 11, 2001.
First Lady Michelle Obama and her predecessor, Laura Bush, led the ceremony, which was filled with song, scripture and reflection. Mrs. Obama praised the passengers and crew, noting the group of strangers had never met each other before they decided to band together and push back against the terrorists.
"But in that awful moment, when the facts became clear and they were called to make an impossible choice, they all found the same resolve. The agreed to the same bold plan."
Mrs. Bush reflected on the day of the attacks, saying the United States saw its best in the courage of the passengers and first responders, as well as the prayers and thoughts of the rest of the country....
"…And again, as millions of Americans participated in blood drives, candlelight vigils and memorial services. Saying prayers in English, Hebrew and Arabic."
Governor Rendell choked up when he told the crowd the Flight 93 victims had joined a long line of Pennsylvania heroes, stretching back to Ben Franklin.
"On behalf of 12.5 million Pennsylvanians, I want to say – we will never forget what they did above our skies. And we will always remember them."
Organizers hope to dedicate the first phase of a permanent Flight 93 memorial next year, on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
Thousands Expected In Shanksville
Former First Lady Laura Bush was the keynote speaker last night at a private dinner at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh to raise funds for the Flight 93 National Park Memorial in Shanksville, Somerset County. That's the site where the jetliner crashed September 11, 2001 as passengers and crew members fought with terrorists. Mrs. Bush praised the 40 passengers and crew members saying "they resolved to stop their plane from finding its target." It's believed the terrorists intended to crash the plane into the White House or the Capitol.
Mrs. Bush and First Lady Michelle Obama will speak this morning at the 9th anniversary ceremony in Somerset County. Thousands of people are expected to attend at the site of temporary memorial.
The first phase of the permanent memorial is expected to be completed by the 10th anniversary.
Mrs. Bush and First Lady Michelle Obama will speak this morning at the 9th anniversary ceremony in Somerset County. Thousands of people are expected to attend at the site of temporary memorial.
The first phase of the permanent memorial is expected to be completed by the 10th anniversary.
Friday, September 10, 2010
9th Anniversary of Terror Attacks
The current and former First Ladies of the United States will take part in a Somerset County ceremony Saturday remembering the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. 9 years ago, United Flight 93 crashed into a field outside Shanksville, Somerset County, after passengers tried to overtake the terrorists who had hijacked the plane.
The hijackers were likely trying to crash the plane into the White House or Capitol.
Tomorrow, First Lady Michelle Obama will speak at a ceremony honoring Flight 93’s 40 passengers and crew, who all died on September 11, 2001.
She’ll be joined by former First Lady Laura Bush, as well as Governor Rendell, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and other dignitaries.
Mrs. Bush is taking part in a fundraiser today in Pittsburgh which is trying to generate revenue for a permanent memorial.
The goal is to dedicate the first stage of the monument next year, on the tenth anniversary of the attacks.
Organizers need to raise 58 million dollars, and so far, they’ve brought in about 40 million.
The hijackers were likely trying to crash the plane into the White House or Capitol.
Tomorrow, First Lady Michelle Obama will speak at a ceremony honoring Flight 93’s 40 passengers and crew, who all died on September 11, 2001.
She’ll be joined by former First Lady Laura Bush, as well as Governor Rendell, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and other dignitaries.
Mrs. Bush is taking part in a fundraiser today in Pittsburgh which is trying to generate revenue for a permanent memorial.
The goal is to dedicate the first stage of the monument next year, on the tenth anniversary of the attacks.
Organizers need to raise 58 million dollars, and so far, they’ve brought in about 40 million.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Plans for 9th Anniv. of Flight 93 Crash
Former first lady Laura Bush will speak next month in Somerset County marking the 9th anniversary of the crash of Flight 93 during the terror attacks. The National Park Foundation made the announcement in advance of today's joint meeting of the Flight 93 Memorial Task Force and the Flight 93 Federal Advisory Commission. After today's meeting in Somerset, the Memorial Task Force will disband because other groups including the National Park Service is picking up the duties the task force has carried out for nearly 9 years.
Mrs. Bush says she's honored to speak at the site and we "must never forget the brave sacrifice of these extraordinary men and women."
Flight 93 was traveling from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco when terrorists hijacked the plane. Passengers then fought with the terrorists and the plane went down in a field near Shanksville. The target of the terrorists is believed to have been the White House or the U.S. Capitol Building.
The first phase of a permanent Flight 93 Memorial is to be dedicated at the 10th anniversary of 9-11 next year.
Mrs. Bush says she's honored to speak at the site and we "must never forget the brave sacrifice of these extraordinary men and women."
Flight 93 was traveling from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco when terrorists hijacked the plane. Passengers then fought with the terrorists and the plane went down in a field near Shanksville. The target of the terrorists is believed to have been the White House or the U.S. Capitol Building.
The first phase of a permanent Flight 93 Memorial is to be dedicated at the 10th anniversary of 9-11 next year.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Flight 93 Victim Honored With Memorial Gamelands
More than 665 acres of gamelands adjacent to Somerset County's Flight 93 National Memorial have been dedicated to Richard Guadagno, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who was killed in the Flight 93 crash of September 11, 2001.
Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman Tom Fazi says the gamelands will act as a buffer to help prevent unsightly development from building up around the memorial. Fazi says PA Game Commission crews worked over the past few years to acquire the land and convert it from a strip-mined parcel to a beautiful wetland that Guadagno would have loved.
The dedication of the gamelands and a granite memorial stone came during a national conference of wildlife officers, so Guadagno's father had an assembly from many states and Canadian territories honor his son during yesterday's ceremony.
Guadagno was the refuge manager for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Eureka, California. The visitors' center there has also been named in his honor.
Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman Tom Fazi says the gamelands will act as a buffer to help prevent unsightly development from building up around the memorial. Fazi says PA Game Commission crews worked over the past few years to acquire the land and convert it from a strip-mined parcel to a beautiful wetland that Guadagno would have loved.
The dedication of the gamelands and a granite memorial stone came during a national conference of wildlife officers, so Guadagno's father had an assembly from many states and Canadian territories honor his son during yesterday's ceremony.
Guadagno was the refuge manager for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Eureka, California. The visitors' center there has also been named in his honor.
Friday, July 9, 2010
New Temporary Flight 93 Memorial Open
Visitors heading to see the site near Shanksville where Flight 93 crashed during the 2001 terror attacks will now be directed to a new temporary memorial. A temporary memorial overlooking the crash site was erected not long after the attacks of September 11th 2001. Construction on the permanent memorial has forced the National Park Service to shut that location and open a new temporary memorial to the west of the impact zone. Flight 93 Site Manager for the National Park Service Jeff Reinbold says the new location is historic in its own right. It is where the FBI and State Police set up a command post during the investigation, it is where the families were first taken after the crash and it is where the media was first allowed to view the crash site meaning it is from that vantage point where the first images of the impact zone were captured and sent around the globe. Flight 93 was traveling from Newark to San Francisco when it became one of 4 planes taken over by hijackers. Passengers tried to wrest control of the plan from the hijackers and it crashed into an abandon strip mine in Somerset County. Over the years visitors have left thousands of mementos at the temporary memorial. Some of those items will be part of a new temporary display chronicling the events of that day and the investigation that followed. Other items have been placed in storage.
Reinbold says the biggest difference visitors need to keep in mind is that the new temporary memorial will not be open around the clock like the first temporary memorial was. The park service will staff the site from 9am-7pm each day. He says anyone planning a visit should first check the web page to make sure there are no other closures due to construction. That same web site will also soon host a construction webcam.
The permanent memorial is expected to be finished in time for the 10th anniversary of the terrorists’ attacks.
Reinbold says the biggest difference visitors need to keep in mind is that the new temporary memorial will not be open around the clock like the first temporary memorial was. The park service will staff the site from 9am-7pm each day. He says anyone planning a visit should first check the web page to make sure there are no other closures due to construction. That same web site will also soon host a construction webcam.
The permanent memorial is expected to be finished in time for the 10th anniversary of the terrorists’ attacks.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Flight 93 Memorial Sees Rise in Donations
The contractor managing construction of the Flight 93 National Memorial is on schedule, with crews excavating for the Field of Honor and the Sacred Ground Plaza.
The heavy machinery and visible progress seem to have inspired fundraisers, according to Deputy Superintendent Keith Newlin of the National Park Service. He says the NPS has noticed an increased interest since major onsite construction began.
The current excavations are part of Phase 1A, which is scheduled to be complete by next year’s 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001. By that point, a ring road, the Sacred Ground Plaza and a contact station will be finished.
Newlin says it’s crucial to the NPS and to the families of the 40 Flight 93 victims that Phase 1A construction is complete by next year’s anniversary.
The heavy machinery and visible progress seem to have inspired fundraisers, according to Deputy Superintendent Keith Newlin of the National Park Service. He says the NPS has noticed an increased interest since major onsite construction began.
The current excavations are part of Phase 1A, which is scheduled to be complete by next year’s 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001. By that point, a ring road, the Sacred Ground Plaza and a contact station will be finished.
Newlin says it’s crucial to the NPS and to the families of the 40 Flight 93 victims that Phase 1A construction is complete by next year’s anniversary.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Navy Vessel to Use Steel from area of Flight 93 Crash Site
The bow stem of the USS Somerset will be constructed using 22 tons of steel from a crane that sat near the Flight 93 crash site on September 11, 2001. Both New York and Arlington have navy ships named after them that incorporate material from their crash sites. Somerset County Commissioner John Vatavuk says the steel comes from a crane that was sitting near a reclaimed strip mine near Shanksville at the time of the crash. Vatavuk will head down to Avondale, Louisina later this week for the ceremony that kicks off construction of the ship. He says it should be finished by 2011 or 2012. Vatavuk says the ship will be a living memorial to the victims of Flight 93 as it makes it way around the world. He hopes the vessel's christening will take place in Philadelphia or Baltimore so southwestern Pennsylvanian's can travel to see it.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Flght 93 Memorial Ground to be Broken
The National Park Service will break ground Saturday for the first phase of the Flight 93 Memorial. Flight 93 family members, elected officials and US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will be on hand for the noon event. Memorial superintendent Joanne Hanley says this will not be the typical celebratory ground breaking ceremony. She says, “It is a ground breaking but we are very aware that the ground has already been broken with the lives of the 40 passengers and crew that gave their lives that day.” Hanley says it is one of many milestones that will be reached in the construction of the park. Phase One includes a memorial wall and a stone plaza adjacent to the impact zone; now know as “the sacred ground.” Work is to be done by the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. A visitor center and other amenities will be built during Phase Two. A new road from US Rt. 30 will also be constructed. Hanley says over the next year there will be times that there will be disruptions at the temporary memorial including times when it may have to be closed completely. Phase One is fully funded but the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign is still looking to raise $15 million for the second phase.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Flight 93 House Resolution
A U.S. House of Representatives resolution that was passed Wednesday recognizes the hard work of volunteers at the Flight 93 memorial site in Somerset County, and also encourages the permanent memorial to be erected by the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Gordon Felt, President of the Families of Flight 93 group, says it’s great to have the support of the national government. While there are already initiatives in place to have a permanent site finished for the anniversary in 2011, he says every bit of support helps and acts as a stronger catalyst.
Flight 93 had crashed in Shanksville during the September 11 terrorist attacks, killing 40 passengers and crew. The official 9/11 Commission report said the hijackers crashed the plane as passengers tried to take control of the cockpit.
Gordon Felt, President of the Families of Flight 93 group, says it’s great to have the support of the national government. While there are already initiatives in place to have a permanent site finished for the anniversary in 2011, he says every bit of support helps and acts as a stronger catalyst.
Flight 93 had crashed in Shanksville during the September 11 terrorist attacks, killing 40 passengers and crew. The official 9/11 Commission report said the hijackers crashed the plane as passengers tried to take control of the cockpit.
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