Dedication held for Flight 93 National Memorial
Former President George W. Bush addresses the families of the heroes of Flight 93 during a dedication ceremony Saturday afternoon in Shanksville.
Ethel Stevanus of Wellersburg holds up a flag during the singing of the national anthem during the festivities Saturday.
Sarah McLaughlin, singer and songwriter, performs during the Flight 93 National Memorial dedication near Shanksville.
Vice President Joe Biden addresses the families of the heroes of Flight 93 during a dedication ceremony Saturday afternoon.
Elizabeth Douglas (left) and Kevin Van Horn (wearing hat) hold up flags during the closing moments of the Flight 93 Memorial Dedication Saturday afternoon.
Hundreds gather on the memorial walkway during the dedication of the Flight 93 National Memorial Saturday afternoon.
Family members of the heroes of Flight 93 gather next to a 15-ton boulder that marks the point of impact where Flight 93 went down. Only family members are allowed access to that particular site of the memorial.
Former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, along with Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Joe Biden view the names of the 40 heroes of Flight 93 as they walk the length of the Memorial after it was unveiled Saturday afternoon
SHANKSVILLE — A lasting tribute to 40 men and women who valiantly gave their lives on 9/11 was dedicated Saturday through musical performances, words of gratitude and solemn prayers.
Despite the threat of rain, muddy parking areas and heightened security, thousands from across the country attended the Flight 93 National Memorial dedication ceremony, coming on foot or by bicycle, car and motorcycle.
A Kentucky man sat in line for nearly two hours waiting to access the park entrance.
“I grew up on the Ohio and Pennsylvania border and this is home,” he said. “I had to be here.”
Today’s commemoration ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m.
Former President George W. Bush, who was president on 9/11 and later signed the legislative action to create the memorial, recalled the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.
“When the sun rose in the Pennsylvania sky 10 years ago, it was a peaceful September morning,” he said. “By the time it set, nearly 3,000 people had lost their lives.
“The memory of that morning is fresh and so is the pain.”
Borrowing the words of President Abraham Lincoln when he took part in the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Bush said that the 40 passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 had already dedicated and consecrated the field of honor.
“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here,” he said.
Gordon Felt, president of the Families of Flight 93, said that devastated family members arrived at the site 10 years ago. While still grieving the loss of their loved ones a decade later, the memorial now provides comfort and inspiration.
“To the families, this sacred ground holds a deep, special significance,” he said. “This is the final resting place of those aboard Flight 93.”
Former Gov. Ed Rendell said that it is imperative the park be completed.
“This is where Americans first fought back,” he said prior to the start of the ceremony. “In New York and at the Pentagon they were innocent victims because they didn’t know what was going on.
“The passengers aboard Flight 93 heard by phone from their family members what was happening and they decided to fight back.
“These were the first warriors in the fight on terrorism and they should be honored in ways like no others.”
Rendell, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, former President Bill Clinton and others challenged elected officials and the general public to see that the additional $10 million needed to complete the final phases of the memorial park be earmarked for the project.
The first phase, dedicated Saturday, includes access roadways, an arrival court and memorial plaza.
The plaza includes a walkway that leads to a marble wall inscribed with the 40 names of those that died in the crash.
The next phases include the construction of a visitor center, planting of 40 memorial groves of trees and a 93-foot Tower of Voices that will house 40 wind chimes.
In his address, Clinton said that he had spoken with U.S. House Speaker John Boehner and the two agreed to launch a bipartisan initiative to raise the needed funding.
“Let’s get it done,” said Clinton.”
Vice-President Joe Biden praised the families for their courage and dedication to the completion of the park.
“You are an inspiration to thousands of people across this nation,” he said.
“There is hope to be found after tragedy.
“Take comfort that a grateful nation understands that your loved ones gave their lives to defend their country; sacrificed their lives so that we could live ours.”
Also taking part in the ceremony were the U.S. Navy Brass Quintet, Flight 93 Memorial Chorus, Chris Sullivan, Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign Chairman; John Reynolds, Flight 93 Advisory Commission chairman; former first lady Laura Bush, Dr. Jill Biden, Father Daniel Coughlin, Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2001, singer Sarah McLachlan, vocalist Yolanda Pelzer, bagpiper Bruce Liberati and poet Robert Pinsky.