8th Annual September 11 Commemoration

Date: September 2, 2009
Contact: Lisa Linden, 917.589.5443

“UPON THIS SACRED GROUND, COURAGE REMEMBERED”

EIGHTH ANNUAL SEPTEMBER 11 COMMEMORATION TO HONOR THE HEROES OF FLIGHT 93 TO BE HELD IN SHANKSVILLE, PA

General Powell, Secretary Ridge, General Franks, Country Singer Adkins

Join National Park Service, Families of Flight 93 and Flight 93 Memorial Partners to Honor and Remember the Heroes of Flight 93

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 EVENT OPENS TO THE MEDIA AT 4:00 A.M.
EVENT BEGINS AT 9:45 A.M.

Thousands of Americans will gather in a field in Shanksville, PA on the eighth anniversary of September 11^th to participate in a solemn commemoration titled “Upon This Sacred Ground, Courage Remembered.” The September 11, 2009 commemoration will honor the 40 heroes of United Flight 93 who lost their lives while fighting to resist a terrorist attack on our nation’s capital, ultimately crashing in a field in Shanksville.

Among the program participants will be keynote speaker General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret); honorary co-chairs of the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign former PA Governor and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and General Tommy R. Franks, USA (Ret); and Gordon Felt, President of the Families of Flight 93. Country music artist Trace Adkins will perform the National Anthem.

The commemoration begins at 9:45 a.m. adjacent to the temporary memorial site in Shanksville. At 10:03 a.m. – the moment Flight 93 crashed – the name of each of the heroic passengers and crew members will be read. Bells of Remembrance will be tolled by members of the Families of Flight 93 and community members who assisted in the aftermath of 9/11. There will also be a laying of wreaths at the crash site by the Families of Flight 93 and attending dignitaries.

ALL MEMBERS OF THE PRESS WISHING TO COVER THE COMMEMORATION ARE REQUIRED TO EMAIL NAMES AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO LISA LINDEN AT [e-mail] NO LATER THAN 3 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 10. Please bring valid press credentials.

The public is encouraged to attend.  Due to anticipated increased attendance, we recommend that visitors arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. No backpacks or large bags are permitted. There will be no seating available for the approximately one-hour presentation.  

For more information about how you can support the Flight 93 National Memorial, please visit www.honorflight93.org.