News

Flight 93 crew, passengers remembered

Gov. Tom Corbett addresses crowd during 10th Commemorative Service of crash of Flight 93 in Somerset County. Russell Pekelnicky photo

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. –A hush swept through the throng of visitors to the Flight 93 Memorial in Somerset County at 9:37 a.m. Sunday – the time the first plane hit the Twin Towers in New York. It was followed by another moment of silence at 9:37 a.m., when the second plane hit the Pentagon. The third moment of silence in the 10th Commemorative Service preceded the 10:03 a.m. crash time of Flight 93. Families, visitors and dignitaries remembered the passengers and crew who took action to interrupt the hijacking and alter the terrorists’ plan.

Bells chimed as family members read the names of the 40 people who died.

“We look to the past to compare, but nothing truly fits it,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, who spoke at the service. “It has no comparison in history in my mind. They charted a new course, set new standards in American bravery. They halted that attack on 9/11 with their own blood.”

Remembrance was the theme for the service, as the crewmembers, passengers and their families were honored.

“I only wish I could have met each and every one of your under different circumstances,” said Gordon Felt, president of The Families of Flight 93.

Names of the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 are engraved in the white marble Wall of Names, which follows the flight path at the new Memorial Plaza that was dedicated Sept. 10.

President Barack Obama visited the site Sunday, placed wreaths at the Wall of Names and spoke with families.

Visitors remember the crew and passengers of Flight 93 10 years later. Russell Pekelnicky photo.