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Heroes honored at Flight 93 Memorial
Three generations of America’s executive branch overlook the ceremony’s solemn proceedings. Dignitaries in the front row from left to right are Ken Salazar, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Bill Clinton, Jill Biden and Joe Biden. Russell Pekelnickey/The Clarion Call
Shanksville, Pa. – Dignitaries, politicians, and thousands of citizens attended last weekend’s dedication of Flight 93 National Memorial.
The nation reflected with them and honored the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the 10th anniversary last weekend.
At 10:03 a.m. that day, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pa.
Several passengers attempted to regain control of the Boeing 757 when the plane crashed, killing the 40 passengers and four hijackers aboard.
This happened shortly after the attacks in Washington, D.C. and New York City, where thousands of other civilians lost their lives.
At the dedication of Flight 93 National Memorial, leaders came together across political aisles to show respect for the heroes of Flight 93, the only one of the
four planes hijacked on 9/11 that didn’t reach its intended target.
Vice President Joe Biden, Former President George W. Bush and Former President Bill Clinton offered their respects in speeches at the dedication ceremony.
Former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge said, “All of Pennsylvania’s first responders were surprised by the horror at what they saw.”
Ridge said he was proud those who perished in the crash, and said theirs was the “first act of heroism in the war against radical Islam.”
Senator Bob Casey said, “For a lot of people, this is a place of real sadness, and one of real inspiration.”
He applauded the passengers who attempted to take the plane back from the terrorists.
“Their actions demonstrate awesome courage in the face of pure evil,” Casey said.
Family members of the victims of Flight 93 were vocal about their loss.
Jerry Bingham lost his 31-year-old son Mark Bingham to the Flight 93 attack.
“I think it’s been a long time coming,” he said.
Bingham said the dedication’s proceedings were going smoother than he anticipated.
“I’m impressed,” Bingham said, “there are so many people here.”
Bingham said he felt like everyone attending was one of his neighbors.
“The people of Pennsylvania are so supportive,” Bingham said.
“For the past 10 years, since the beginning of the war on terror,” Bingham said, “there have been no terrorist attacks.”
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