Day 371- Remember 9/11- Flight 93 National Memorial (Shanksville, PA)- Pause Refection on Unity

 

Like many, I remember EXACTLY what I was doing on September 11, 2001 when the hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center.  During this horrific event “time stood still” and we were glued to the television watching repetitious replays of the events. Yet this monstrous day somehow birthed a feeling of unity in this country. Stores were sold out of American flags. The American flag waved everywhere, on cars, homes, lawns and television. There was a united spirit to help, pray and care for one another.    

 During the present time of social distancing, protests and polarized elections, visiting the memorials are powerful reminders to pause, put aside our differences and unite as we honor those that left this world  on September 11, 2001.  

Reflection

Flight 93 National Memorial 

Shanksville Pennsylvania is where 40 passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 thwarted the hijacked plane which was heading toward the US Capitol on September 11, 2001. The first time I visited only a fence and mementos were at the site.  This was before the memorial was built but even then, it was humbling to stand in front of  the make shift memorial as the Park Ranger told the story of  horror and heroism on that day.

 

At the site now you will find a well thought out memorial and impressive tribute to the heroes on that flight. During the visit we took in the beauty of the picture perfect day and the sorrow in silence. A visit here is a very individual personal experience.

The museum walks you through the sequence of events on September 11^th with TV footage and more. It brought me back to my living room chair when I watched the events live in 2001. Waves of sadness flowed followed by satisfaction that we had a way to remember and honor those  heroes on that day. It was sorrowful yet healing.  

You can walk the flight path fight path or look over a balcony to view the site of impact. The balcony railing inscription proclaimed a reflective truth- “A common field one day. A field of horror forever.” 

The “Wall of Names” is beautiful marble sculpture inscribed with the names of the passengers and crew.  From the front view it resembles one solid wall  but from a side vantage you can see each angled panel. It symbolizes that these individuals worked as one united force against the evil that day.

"The Tower of Voices" is a reminder of the heroism  when you enter the park and upon leaving.   Although still under  construction, it is an impressive 93 foot tall tower and will hold forty wind chimes, representing the forty passengers and crew members of the flight. It seemed to reach to the heavens.

The visit was somber and humbling but also peaceful because we had a means to  honor the heroism and the lives lost.  I  reflected on a time when an evil brought forth the good in so many individuals and when our country focused on what unites us not on what divides us. 

 (The Flight 93 National Memorial is approximately 1 ½ hour drive from Pittsburgh. The park is open 360 days a year, 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. The museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and a mask is required)

Spiritual Reflection

We urge you brothers and sisters…encourage the disheartened. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

 Other Sources

https://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm

memorial plaza https://www.nps.gov/flni/planyourvisit/plaza.htm

visitor center https://www.nps.gov/flni/planyourvisit/vc.htm