Flight 93 Memorial

[Hummingbird]

I just got back from my first visit to the flight 93 memorial site. There was a lady ( a volunteer ) gave a presentation with pictures of the crew and passengers, giving a little background on some of them.

 

A very moving experience as well as enlightening. She said that they have already archived 37,000 pieces of memorabilia left by visitors to the site.

 

The actual impact area has been declared a mass grave site and is cordoned off. She had an artist's rendition of the future memorial that is supposed to start with a groundbreaking yet this year.

 

If you have a chance to visit this memorial site, you will not be disappointed. I know I'll go back again in the spring and again when the memorial is completed.

 

It's really difficult to explain what is going on right now as the visitors come in in busses, cars, van and motorcycles with many leaving tokens at the site.

 

In walking around I noticed everything from St. Christopher medallions to an allen wrench and anything else you could imagine. Hats, flags, vests and every type of memento you could imagine.

 

Something I wasn't aware of was that as the plane crested the knoll just prior to impact it was 40 feet off the ground, traveling 536 mph and upside down. Parts and pieces were found as deep as 35 feet.

 

I glad I finally made it over there.

 

God bless those heros on Flight 93 !!

[bongobobny]

We were in the area last year but didn't stop. It's close enough to us for a weekend destination, which we wil do next year!!

[McBrush]

I went there when it first was opened to the public, and you're right, it's a very emotional time. Here's a few pics from then, I can't remember the year, but it may have been 2003 or 2004. Watermarks on the pics from where I had them developed (I took pics of the pics to get them online). We didn't have the pleasure of a guide back then to give all the details, but was still worth the trip since we were in Johnstown at the time.

[ken]

I've been there twice. both times on a road trip on a bike., The first time there was nothing but a flag over the crash site. Did anyone get recent pics? It would be nice to see what they done to honor the heros.

[Hummingbird]

I took a lot of pics but I think they are too big to load but I'll try a couple.

[Hummingbird]

A couple more from the site

[cecdoo]

WE have been there twice as you said it is a very moving experience, what most impressed me was the locals and the respect they show. No t-shirt souvenier shops all over the place. Craig