Shanksville, Pennsylvania: Flight 93 Temporary Memorial (Gone)

An ad hoc memorial marked the site where the last plane crashed on 9/11.

I just made my second visit to the Flight 93 Crash Site and I am sad to report that the Temporary Fight 93 Shrine that was created, emotionally staffed, and maintained by the local volunteer firemen has been replaced by a dull and expressionless "viewpoint" provided by the National Parks Service. While I'm certain that the National Park Service will ultimately create a suitable permanent memorial, I feel that they have cheated the public out of the chance to visit a temporary shrine that was truly much more moving and memorable.

While I spent a couple of hours there during my visit last year, I only stayed a few minutes this year, and I can no longer recommend visiting this location until the permanent Flight 93 Memorial has been completed.

We did not know what to expect when we decided to visit the Flight 93 Memorial. After a rather lengthy drive out into the country, we found the temporary memorial on a quiet hillside about 1/2 mile from the actual crash site. Apparently the land where the crash occurred has just been purchased from the owners, thus allowing a permanent memorial to be constructed. It has to be one of the most sad places that we have visited.

There is a small trailer/office where documents can be seen. Outside, there are benches, each with the name of a victim on it. Behind these is a memory wall where hundreds of objects of love and remembrance have been placed.

Also available is a transcript of the actual radio transmission from Flight 93, a chilling narrative of terror and bravery.

After seeing Ground Zero in NYC and the Pentagon, we felt compelled to complete our "9/11" tour by visiting this memorial. Upon our arrival, it began snowing as we hurried into the temporary visitor's center, which is more of a trailer than a building. A Flight 93 guide, an older fella, took us through the events that occurred on that fateful day.

Outside stood the wall, covered with various tributes from license plates to flowers to firefighters' jackets. A somber and fitting tribute; I believe that everyone should get a chance to see before they build the more permanent memorial eventually.

Flight 93 is the plane that crashed in a field in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. Meant to go somewhere important, it was overtaken by brave passengers and crew. A visit here is the most mind blowing experience I think any American can have. License plates from around the country, plaques, memorials, personal letters thanking the people aboard that plane. That's what our country stands for... not some shining statue, but a 20 ft high fence decorated by people who have made a pilgrimage to the site. I will honestly say this... if you leave unchanged, don't call yourself American.