Notes from Shanksville, Sunday Evening: Speaking to the Heart

Editor's Note: A resident from the Phoenixville area, James Henry, is currently at the Flight 93 Memorial dedication and filed this report. Janet Whiting assisted with the report.

The day broke as clear and sunny as it had been 10 years prior, a fitting backdrop to the memorial service held at the Flight 93 National Memorial site in Shanksville, PA. 

If yesterday's dedication ceremonies had a national and patriotic feel, Sunday's 10th commemorative services were distinctly lower key and much more personal and touching. Not somber exactly, but perhaps more tightly focused. While events on both days had moments of humor, sadness and extreme deep emotion, the memorial service today spoke directly to the hearts of the victims' families and everyone in attendance.

Although exact numbers were not yet available from the National Park Service, Saturday's crowd was estimated at around 10,000.

"That's the number we planned for," said one ranger, "and I think it was very close. It will probably be larger today."

The crowd wrapped many rows deep around the stage area on three sides. Red, white and blue were the colors of the day, whether on a necktie, motorcycle leathers, a cap or a T-shirt. Many in the crowd carried American flags and planted them by their chairs to flutter in the breeze.

On the stage were Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, Congressmen Mark Critz and Bill Shuster, former governor Tom Ridge, and Gordon Felt, president of Families of Flight 9, along with other dignitaries. Besides the U.S. and Pennsylvania flags, the stage was backed by flags of Puerto Rico, Germany, Japan and New Zealand for the many nationalities of passengers on the flight.

The service was timed to begin at the approximate time the passengers took their collective decision to resist the hijackers and attempt to regain control of the aircraft. The national and state flags were presented by the color guard from Shanksville Volunteer Fire Company.

It was noted in the invocation that during the investigation at the site, a rainbow appeared one morning, appearing to end in the field and giving great hope to those present.

After a moment of silent remembrance, Somerset County coroner Wally Miller led an emotional responsive reading. Everyone responded "We will remember them" to each verse: "in the morning and the evening ... in the summer and the fall ... in moments of sorrow and joy ..." 

The reading of names began, the moment again chosen to match the time of the plane crash. Around the plaza and in the fields, the crowd was pin-drop quiet as family members approached the microphone and spoke the names of those lost. As yesterday, the two bells tolled after each name; a low note and then an echoing and plaintive higher note.

Yesterday, hearing the names read was a formality—today it was a touching reminder of the human toll as names were prefaced with "my mother...", "my sister...", "my husband..." One name was read, followed by "and unborn child."

Each of the dignitaries present made brief remarks. Corbett said, "These events have no comparison in American history. This site is, truly, the home of the brave." He added, "What makes us different (as Americans) is that we refuse to be victims. The grace and dignity of those who died here marks the greatness of their spirit."

In his remarks, Mark Critz asked, "Did the passengers know the scope of what they were doing? Their actions are a testament to who we are."

Bill Shuster said, "At Lexington and Concord, at the Alamo and on Flight 93 Americans banded together and said 'No, this will not stand.'"

And "Only in America," he added "would people meet, take a vote, form a plan, and act on it." That is exactly what the passengers on Flight 93 did, agreeing to storm the cockpit at all costs.

Ridge spoke directly to the crowd, thanking everyone for coming and noting what such a presence means to the families. The families in turn immediately rose in applause.

Ridge continued, now speaking to the vicitms, "Moments and people come through our lives and remind us to cherish what we have. We promise that future generations will know your names as we have been blessed to do."

The keynote address was given by John Hendricks, founder of Discovery Communications. One of his employees had been on board Flight 93. He spoke directly to families, promising to continue the mission of completing the next stages of the memorial.

Many of the speakers used the phrase that has become the hallmark of the new Memorial site: "A field one day but now a field of honor."

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The new Flight 93 National Memorial site is now officially open. It is about a four-hour drive from this area with direct access by main roads. The entire area has a rugged beauty that makes a visit well worthwhile. Information can be found on the NPS website at www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm.