Paying Our Respect at the Flight 93 National Memorial

September 11th is a day that I'll never forget. I know where I was and what I was doing when the 2 hijacked planes hit the Twin Towers in New York City. I was getting ready for work that morning and was just about out our front door when the breaking news came onto the television. After a few minutes I knew this was a day that would change America forever.

The Flight 93 National Memorial is located just north of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It's the crash site of United Airlines flight 93. The memorial honors the crew and passengers who fought the terrorists on that fateful day. Thanks to their bravery...the hijacked plane never reached its intended target. In my honest opinion, they saved countless lives that day thanks to their own sacrifice.

You can visit the site year round, weather permitting. The visitor's center is open every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. It's free to visit. Can't get there yourself? Check out the live web cam HERE.

The memorial was designed by Paul and Milena Murdoch of Los Angeles, California and their design team. The memorial was titled Crescent of Embrace with the first phase of the permanent memorial completed and dedicated on September 10th, 2011. There was some controversy about the "Crescent" design, so it was officially modified into a circle to address those concerns. You can find information online and at the visitor's center if you wish to learn more about that.

In 2017 new construction began to erect the Tower of Voices monument which stands 93 feet tall. The tower contains 40 wind chimes to represent each crew member and passenger who died that day. Made from cement...it was completed in 2018 and can be seen from miles away. It's really impressive when you see it in person. Humbling and a great way to honor those who gave their lives on 9-11.

When visiting we recommend that you start your visit at the visitor's center which sits up on a hill over-looking the crash site and memorial. Inside you'll find interactive displays, exhibits, pamphlets, mini videos, etc. The staff is very friendly and will give you additional information if you need it. Public restrooms are also located there.

You'll find the 40 white marble panels that make up the Wall of Names positioned on the flight path which lists all of the names of the passengers and crew. The walking path alongside the wall is paved, so if you're handicap...you can take your wheelchair, walker, cane, etc. along with you. It's a fairly easy walk. If you need to sit down...there are a few benches along the way.

One thing you'll notice when visiting is the "openness" of the site. It's in the middle of a field and you're surrounded by beautiful countryside. If you're a fan of Fall Foliage...plan to visit in the Fall when the leaves are changing colors. It's a really beautiful and peaceful place to visit.

Every year on September 11th the park holds an observance which is open to the public. Throughout the year they host various special events and services. The park is managed by the National Park Service and you'll find rangers on-site that give presentations and will answer visitor's questions. You can find detailed information on the Flight 93 National Memorial by visiting their official website HERE.