05 August 2005

9/11's Flight 93 Memorial



After being in PA for a day or two, Bill and I decided that we would see a few things despite the fact that we were still dead on our feet. One of the first things we did was to drive out to the memorial for Flight 93, one of the planes that was hijacked on 9/11 that was taken back by the people on the plane and forced down in a field in Shanksville, PA instead of crashing into one of our nation’s building that could have killed 100’s if not 1000’s.

The memorial was incredible. Everything there is so personal that it’s heart wrenching. There is everything from toys to jewelry to military medals. There are stones and memorials all around that have been placed by individuals as well as small and large groups. There are notes written on every printable surface, the guardrail leading up to the memorial is covered in notes and magnets and words of support and thanks. The wood frame of the memorial is the same, notes and words of thanks and thanksgiving adorn every inch that could be written on. The benches that look out over the field where the plane went down are engraved with all the names of the passengers and crew of Flight 93.

I didn’t read a lot of the notes that were hanging on the memorial, and the stones in the ground, because I didn’t want to cry. I’ve read them since and cried anyway. The memorial was quiet, almost reverent, and I hope they don’t rush to remove what’s there to replace it with one all-purpose monument, because the way it is right now is so touching.

If you ever have the chance to get out to Shanksville, PA, be sure to visit the Flight 93 memorial, it’s really worth the drive.

Hugs~
;-)K