Memorial Process

Before the investigation of Flight 93 ended, visitors from around the world started to visit.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Flight 93 National Memorial

Significance:

Stop 7 of Story Tour

Even before the investigation into the crash of Flight 93 ended, visitors from around the world began arriving to see the crash site. While the area surrounding the crash site remained closed during the investigation, impromptu memorials developed along nearby roads and in the surrounding communities.  

When the investigation at the site ended and local roads were re-opened, officials realized that the public needed to visit the site, To pay their respects and learn about the story of Flight 93. In early October 2001, officials established a combined temporary memorial on a hilltop overlooking the crash site which included a parking area and a section of fencing where tributes could be attached. Many visitors left tributes and their written thoughts at the temporary memorial. The fence quickly became an ever-changing collage of tributes of every description.  

In January 2002, a corps of local residents organized to staff the temporary memorial. These volunteers became known as “ambassadors” and continue to staff the memorial to answer questions about the events of September 11.  

Work was also progressing on the creation of a permanent memorial. In March 2002, legislation to create a national memorial was introduced in Congress. After passing unanimously by both houses, President George W. Bush signed the Flight 93 National Memorial Act on September 24, 2002, adding the memorial to the national park system. A diverse group of partners worked over the coming years to guide the development of the permanent memorial. In 2005, a two stage international design competition was held. Of the 1,100 submittals, the work of Paul Murdoch Architects and Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, Inc. was chosen as the winning design. A groundbreaking ceremony was conducted in November 2009.  

By July 2010, construction had progressed enough that it was necessary to again move the temporary memorial. This time, the memorial traveled to the area now referred to as the Western Overlook – formerly a complex of buildings owned by a coal company and used as the command center during the FBI investigation. . Visitors could view the crash site and the progress of construction from an overlook. From this same overlook, the families of the passengers and crew viewed the crash site immediately after September 11, 2001. At that site, visitors were able to leave tributes. All of the tribute items left by visitors over the first twenty years have been archived. A selection of tribute items is currently displayed in the Visitor Center.  

On the evening of September 9, 2011, the flag was lowered over the temporary memorial for the last time. The next morning, September 10, 2011, the first features of the permanent memorial were officially dedicated.

• A Memorial Process

  
  

  Even before the investigation into the crash of Flight 93 ended, visitors from around the world began arriving to see the crash site. While the area surrounding the crash site remained closed during the investigation, impromptu memorials developed along nearby roads and in the surrounding communities.

  Date created:

  08/31/2024

  Audio Transcript

  Even before the investigation into the crash of Flight 93 ended, visitors from around the world began arriving to see the crash site. While the area surrounding the crash site remained closed during the investigation, impromptu memorials developed  along nearby roads and in the surrounding communities.  

  When the investigation at the site ended and local roads were re-opened, officials realized that the public needed to visit the site,  To pay their respects and learn about the story of Flight 93. In early October 2001, officials established a combined temporary memorial on a hilltop overlooking the crash site which included a parking area and a section of fencing where tributes could be attached. Many visitors left tributes and their written thoughts at the temporary memorial. The fence quickly became an ever-changing collage of tributes of every description.  

  In January 2002, a corps of local residents organized to staff the temporary memorial. These volunteers became known as “ambassadors” and continue to staff the memorial to answer questions about the events of September 11.  

  Work was also progressing on the creation of a permanent memorial. In March 2002, legislation to create a national memorial was introduced in Congress.  After passing unanimously by both houses,  President George W. Bush signed the Flight 93 National Memorial Act on September 24, 2002, adding the memorial to the national park system. A diverse group of partners worked over the coming years to guide the development of the permanent memorial. In 2005, a two stage international design competition was held.  Of the 1,100 submittals, the work of Paul Murdoch Architects and Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, Inc. was chosen as the winning design. A groundbreaking ceremony was conducted in November 2009.  

  By July 2010, construction had progressed enough that it was necessary to again move the temporary memorial.  This time, the memorial traveled to the area now referred to as the Western Overlook – formerly a complex of buildings owned by a coal company and used as the command center during the FBI investigation. . Visitors could view the crash site and the progress of construction from an overlook. From this same overlook, the families of the passengers and crew viewed the crash site immediately after September 11, 2001. At that site, visitors were able to leave tributes. All of the tribute items left by visitors over the  first twenty years have been archived. A selection of tribute items  is currently displayed in the  Visitor Center.  

  On the evening of September 9, 2011, the flag was lowered over the temporary memorial for the last time. The next morning, September 10, 2011, the first features of the permanent memorial were officially dedicated. DESIGN TOUR along MEMORIAL PLAZA