Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial is a federally designated site honoring the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, who resisted a hijacking during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and caused the aircraft to crash near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The memorial commemorates the actions of the individuals aboard Flight 93, connects to broader September 11 attacks remembrance efforts, and serves as a place for public reflection and education. It integrates landscape architecture, sculptural elements, and visitor facilities to interpret the event and its national significance in the context of contemporary United States history.

History

The memorial's origins trace to immediate local responses in Somerset County, Pennsylvania and appeals involving survivors' families, officials from the United States Department of the Interior, and members of Congress such as representatives from Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district. Early advocacy involved the Sierra Club and regional preservationists aligning with the National Park Service to evaluate proposals. Legislative milestones include debates in the United States House of Representatives and actions by the United States Senate leading to formal authorization and land transfers. Prominent figures associated with the creation process include planners advising the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and consultants who had worked on sites like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the National Mall projects. Legal and logistical coordination involved the Federal Aviation Administration, United States Secret Service, and local entities including the Somerset County commissioners to ensure site security, access, and long-term stewardship.

Design and Features

Design competitions attracted submissions from landscape architects and sculptors experienced with projects such as the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Oklahoma City National Memorial, and the Gettysburg National Military Park commissions. Key elements include a central Wall of Names inscribed with the passengers' and crew members' names, a Tower of Voices that functions as an aural sculpture, and a Sacred Ground area marking the impact site. The Tower of Voices, designed with contributions from firms linked to the American Institute of Architects and fabricators with experience in landmarks like the Gateway Arch, contains wind chimes tuned by acousticians familiar with installations at the High Line and the Storm King Art Center. Landscape features draw on precedents set by designers who worked on the Arlington National Cemetery perimeter improvements and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park plazas. Interpretive signage references timelines connecting to the Al Qaeda attacks and the Presidential Commission on the September 11th Terrorist Attacks report, while pathways align with sightlines toward nearby Laurel Hill and local topography studied by the United States Geological Survey.

Visitor Information

The memorial receives visitors from metropolitan centers including New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh. Onsite amenities mirror standards from other federal sites such as the Smithsonian Institution museums and include a visitor center with exhibits, orientation films produced by teams that have worked on projects for PBS and the History Channel, and accessibility features consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Transportation access incorporates signage coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and regional transit information tied to airports like Pittsburgh International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. Public programs include guided tours, educational curricula developed in collaboration with universities similar to Penn State University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and commemorative services that parallel observances at the National Mall and the Arlington National Cemetery.

Commemoration and Memorialization

Commemorative practices at the memorial reflect national rituals akin to those at sites like the USS Arizona Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. Annual observances on September 11 involve families of the victims, public officials, and representatives from organizations including Families of September 11, Inc., the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and veterans groups that also participate at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Artistic contributions have involved sculptors and composers who have worked on commissions for institutions such as the Kennedy Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Educational outreach incorporates oral histories recorded in formats used by the Library of Congress Veterans History Project and multimedia approaches similar to those at the National Museum of American History.

Administration and Preservation

Administration falls under the National Park Service with oversight comparable to other federally managed memorials like the National Mall and Memorial Parks and coordination with the National Capital Region offices. Preservation planning uses standards promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior and technical guidance from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Ongoing stewardship involves partnerships with local stakeholders including the Somerset County Visitors Bureau, volunteer groups modeled after the National Park Foundation, and academic researchers from institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University supporting conservation science. Emergency response planning and site security are coordinated with agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania State Police, and federal liaison teams.

Category:National Memorials of the United States