Some dates will live in infamy. September 11, 2001 is one of those. Worldwide, and especially in the United States, people will always remember where they were and what they were doing at nine o'clock in the morning (Eastern Time) on that day.
On a recent trip to central Pennsylvania, I had the opportunity to visit and pay my respects to the forty American heroes who lost their lives when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a meadow near Shanksville, PA at 10:03 am.
For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to visit the memorial site, here's a peek. It's still a work in progress, with better access to the point of impact in the future plans. Care must be taken for the surrounding area as the debris field was wide, and out of respect, the National Park Service doesn't want millions of feet trampling just anywhere. Understandable.
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The entrance is off Hwy 30,
twenty-five miles west of Bedford, PA. |
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| The surrounding area is so peaceful and lovely it's hard to imagine the violence of the crash. |
A series of placards tells the story.
A glimpse at future plans.
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| Old Glory stands sentinel. |
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| A long walled walkway leads to the white marble wall that marks the flight path. |
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| Niches are set in the walkway wall for memorial tributes. |
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| The white marble wall marks the flight path of Flight 93 and is inscribed with the names of the thirty-three passengers and seven crew members.
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| A boulder now marks the point of impact. Family members are allowed to leave memorial tributes via a walkway that originates through a break in the marble wall.
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A common field one day.
A field of honor forever.
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| Bells will ring on Sept. 11, 2012 for the passengers and crew. |
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The heroes of United Airlines Flight 93.
Rest in Peace
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To find out more about the memorial, visit the National Parks website. Their photos are much better than mine.
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