SHANKSVILLE – Crowds massed on the chilly, windswept hills outside of Shanksville at the site of where United Airlines Flight 93 went down on Sept. 11, 2001.
Flight 93 was one of four aircraft hijacked by terrorists. The passengers and crew of Flight 93 fought back against their captors, losing their lives, and saving countless others with their actions.
“When Flight 93 crossed into Pennsylvania, the fight against terrorism was already under way,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell. His voice cracked as he called the men and women of Flight 93 heroes of Pennsylvania.
Gordon Felt, brother of passenger Edward Felt, and president of the Families of Flight 93, commented on his first, vivid memories of the scene nine years ago.
“We were salluted by police officers, firefighters, first responders of all types, families.”
He said he was truly moved to stand with family members, first responders, community members and the media.
“Our work here is not done, “said Felt. “We need to continue to remember September 11.
“Our loved ones, their actions, spoke form themselves. Now it’s our turn to speak for our loved ones.”
Former First Lady Laura Bush, whose husband was president at the time of the attacks, spoke of what it was like in the days following Sept. 11, 2001. She said she was first there on Sept. 17, 2001.
“This quiet field was scarred by a crater,” said Bush. “Our grief was raw.”
She said that the site was not chosen by the terrorists, but by the passengers.
“We know that in the midst of their fear, they were calmed by their faith.
“Nine years ago, in the skies above this field, Washington D.C. and New York, we saw the worst of our enemy, and the best of our nation.”
She said that following the tragedy, she and her husband thought often of the families, and said, “George sends his love.”
Bush asked that the nation remember 9-11 not only as a day of great loss, but as a recommitment of values.
First Lady Michelle Obama touched on the passengers of Flight 93 and some of the things they did in their lives.
“The men and women of Flight 93 … came from all different backgrounds and walks of life”
“They rose as one, and acted as one,” said Obama. “To this day, they remind us not just how they gave their lives, but how they lived their lives.”
