Flight 93 Memorial: Remembering the Heroes

The Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually. This significant site honors the 40 individuals who perished in the crash on September 11, 2001. Despite its remote location, many make the journey to walk the flight path and pay tribute to those who showed immense courage.

Gordon Felt, who lost his brother Edward Felt aboard United Airlines Flight 93, shared with CBS News, “It’s gratifying for us to know that people take the time to get off the turnpike and come up and spend a few hours here to learn about the story.” He attended a ceremony by the National Park Service at the memorial, honoring the victims.

Edward Felt and the passengers displayed remarkable bravery by deciding to storm the cockpit. Their actions prevented the hijackers from reaching the intended target, likely the Capitol building. Reflecting on that day, Gordon Felt stated, “The good guys won that day. The bad guys were defeated.”

The story of Flight 93’s crash was covered by Steve Hartman of CBS News. Recounting his experience 25 years later, Hartman said he initially reported from the very field where the plane went down. Using flight data, he theorized that the aircraft changed course near Cleveland, Ohio, and saw the crash site as pivotal in stopping a larger tragedy.

Paul Pisano, who worked at the Capitol on 9/11, expressed his gratitude. While standing before the memorial’s Wall of Names, he remarked, “I can’t ever thank them enough.” The actions of those on Flight 93 ensured that America struck back against terrorism sooner than the world realized.